Berkrerk Chartvanchai (Thai: เบิกฤกษ์ ชาติวันชัย; October 25, 1944 – March 7, 2022) was a boxing champion who won the WBA World Flyweight Title on April 5, 1970 against Bernabe Villacampo in a fifteen round split decision at Bangkok, Thailand.[2] Chartvanchai became the third Thai in history to hold a version of the World Flyweight Title (The first one is Pone Kingpetch, the second is a Chartchai Chionoi).[1]
Berkrerk Chartvanchai | |
|---|---|
| Born | Berkrerk Chartvanchai (latter) Tinapong Sae-han (former) Tinapong Hantanasirisakul (original) October 25, 1944 Bangkok, Thailand |
| Died | March 7, 2022 (aged 77) |
| Nationality | Thai |
| Other names | (Alias) Ai-men (ไอ้เหม็น) "Stinker"[1] |
| Statistics | |
| Weight(s) | Flyweight |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Boxing record | |
| Total fights | 40 |
| Wins | 29 |
| Wins by KO | 6 |
| Losses | 8 |
| Draws | 3 |
Early life and career
editChartvanchai was born in Thai Chinese family on October 25, 1944 in Phra Nakhon District near Memorial Bridge, Bangkok, Thailand. His real name was Tinapong Sae-han (ติณพงษ์ แซ่ห่าน) or Tinapong Hantanasirisakul (ติณพงษ์ หาญตนศิริสกุล). Before he was a professional boxer, he used to be a famous Muay Thai fighter under the ring name "Berkrerk Lookyodfah" (เบิกฤกษ์ ลูกยอดฟ้า). He had won the championships of the Rajadamnern Stadium and Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.[1]
He began competitive professional boxing in early 1966, and in his first twenty-seven bouts through January 1970, he won twenty-four with the remaining three as draws. Nearly all of his early bouts took place in his native Bangkok.[2] By June 1967, he was fighting better known opponents, winning his first bout with Bernabe Villacampo on May 6, 1969, in a ten round points decision.
Taking the WBA World Flyweight Title
editChartvanchai took the WBA World Flyweight Title on April 5, 1970 against Bernabe Villacampo in a fifteen round split decision at Charusathian Stadium,[1] Bangkok, Thailand.[2] In a close bout, the Associated Press had the scoring 73-70 for Chartvanchai.[3] Chartvanchai used primarily body punches and solid defense to take the title. He made Villicampo miss repeatedly and scored frequently with blows to the torso. In the eighth he opened a cut above Villacampo's eye that bothered his opponent throughout the remainder of the bout.[4] One source noted "Villicampo...was the more aggressive but could not land telling blows." Many of Chartvanchai's best scoring punches were quick strikes to the torso after breaking out of clinches.[5]
On July 25, 1970, in a non-title fight he lost to Filipino boxer Erbito Salavario in a non-title ten round fight in Manila. Salavario was Flyweight Champion of the Orient. Chartvantchai at 115, outweighed his opponent by two pounds.[6]
Losing the WBA World Flyweight Title
editOn October 22, 1970, he lost the WBA World Flyweight Title in a thirteenth round knockout against Masao Oba in a title bout at Nichidi Auditorium in Tokyo, Japan. According to one source, the bout was postponed from its initial date when Chartvanchai took ill with a high fever.[2][7][8] Chartvanchai was down three times in the third round before finally being called out for the full count at their bout at Nihon University. Enrique Jimenez refereed. Chartvanchai was finished off with a volley of punches to the head at 2:16 into the thirteenth round. He had trouble making the weight limit, even after doing light exercise and taking a steam bath, which may have weakened him for the bout. Oba gained a considerable lead in points throughout the match.[9]
Retirement
editAfter retiring he changed his real name to Berkrerk Chartvanchai. Chartvanchai studied at the Postal School, and worked as a postal employee of the Communications Authority of Thailand (CAT) until retirement in 2004. He later lived with his family at Bang Bua Thong District, Nonthaburi Province.[1] Chartvanchai died on March 7, 2022, at the age of 77.[10]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e ช้าง พีอาร์ (2015-02-25). "ไอ้เหม็น เบิกฤกษ์ ชาติวันชัย แชมป์โลกคนที่ 3 ของเมืองไทย". Siamsport.co.th (in Thai). Archived from the original on 2016-11-01. Retrieved 2017-06-05.
- ^ a b c d "Berkrerk Chartvanchai". BoxRec. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ "Berkrerk Fly King", Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana, pg. 28, 7 April 1970
- ^ "Thailander Captures Title", Arizona Republic, Phoenix, Arizona, pg. 29, 7 April 1970
- ^ "Second Thai Claims Flyweight Throne", The Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles, California, pg. 52, 7 April 1970
- ^ "Flyweight Champion Falls in Ten Rounds", The Corpus Christi Caller-Times, Corpus Christi, Texas, pg. 47, 26 July 1970
- ^ Chartvanchi had high fever in "Tessman is Next on Foster's List", Asbury Park Press, Asbury, New Jersey, pg. 14, 6 April 1970
- ^ Bout took place at Nichidi Auditorium in "Title Foes Tomorrow", The Post Standard, Syracuse, New York, pg.30, 21 October 1970
- ^ Oba Kayos Chartvanchai for Flyweight Title", San Antonio Express, San Antonio, Texas, pg. 58, 23 October 1970
- ^ "สุดเศร้า "เบิกฤกษ์ ชาติวันชัย" อดีตยอดมวยแชมเปียนโลก เสียชีวิต". Thairath. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 8 March 2022.
External links
edit- Boxing record for Berkrerk Chartvanchai from BoxRec (registration required)
Achievements
edit| Sporting positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World boxing titles | ||||
| Preceded by | WBA flyweight champion April 5, 1970 – October 22, 1970 |
Succeeded by | ||