IKF MUAY THAI & KICKBOXING
NEWS


NOVEMBER - 2013



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THURSDAY, November 7th, 2013, AT 4:30 PM/ PST


The NEW
Lumpinee Stadium

Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is an indoor sporting arena located in Bangkok, Thailand run by Royal Thai Army on behalf of Thai Government. Although it opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium it has become the symbol of Muay Thai. Muay Thai fighters are honored and held in prestige with the title of "Muay Thai Champion of Lumpinee"

While countries like USA can boast about great Football Stadiums and other countries boast about their impressive Soccer Stadiums, Thailand can boast about their new Muay Thai Stadium. The heart of Muay Thai in Thailand has always been Lumpini Stadium. However it will be torn down and replaced with a modern facility in northern Bangkok. The New Lumpinee Stadium is due to open in February 2014. It will be located at the Royal Thai Sports Center on Ramintra Road in north Bangkok.

The new facility will have much better seating as well as impressive facilities for the fighters. Some of the additions include much better parking due to the new 5 story car park building that can hold 300 cars. The stadium will have central heat and AC and be much more accessible to the elderly and disabled. The stadium floor itself can be adjusted or folded for competitive sports and includes it's own modern light and sound system.

2014 brings about the closing of not just a stadium, but an era of Muay Thai. Established in 1956, Lumpini Stadium has been holding championship bouts with famous fighters for over half a decade. So why tear down a monument site? It all had to do with money as the rising value of the land it sits on proved the value of the dollar is worth far more than the traditional stadium's survival.

(fightliveshare.com) The new venue will be located on Ram Intra road which could cause some confusion as it will retain the Lumpini name. The location is not nearly as convenient, specially tourists coming from areas like Sukhumvit or Khao San. Lumpini stadium operates a two-tier pricing plan for Thais and foreigners, with a good portion of their income coming from inflated foreign tickets. Will the reduced foreigner attendance have an effect? Who knows. The other concern is the stark contrast between the two stadiums. The Lumpini we know and love has a very raw and nostalgic atmosphere. Water dripping from the ceiling while you sweat it out among a hoard of passionate gamblers in the standing zone. The vibe that you get watching live fights there is something that cannot be replicated in a modern facility with air conditioning in my opinion.



The Original Lumpinee Boxing Stadium

In June of 2001, IKF President Steve Fossum, trainer Andy Khensemphaph and 3 fighters (Shannon Ritch, Alberto Ramirez, Doug Evans ) travelled to Myanmar to participate in a traditional Myanmar Boxing event. It was the first time ever that fighters from the USA fought in Myanmar (Formally Burma). The bouts were fought under Full Traditional Myanmar Boxing Rules.

After the event the group flew to Bangkok, Thailand. They spent the rest of the trip seeing sites around Bangkok which included the famous Lumpinee Boxing Stadium.

Not only did they visit the stadium they also got to watch an event there. It was at this event where Fossum and the others saw that there were vast differences between what "American" Muay Thai fighters think Muay Thai is vs what "True" Muay Thai actually is.

From ring protocol, fighting rules, ringside officials, as well as how the fighters fought, Muay Thai in Thailand was far different than Muay Thai in the USA.

The group also visited the Twins Special store (Kickboxing & Boxing Equipment) located within the actual stadium. The visit proved to be not only interesting but educational as well as they found out where and how a lot of equipment is made.


First Look Inside New Lumpinee Stadium


Lumpinee Stadium


Promo From Thai TV



Photo By IKF Pro World Champion Rudi Ott taken when he was at Lumpinee Stadium in November of 2013.

Rudi Ott: "From my first visit in 2000 to last November when this pic was taken, it has always been a must when traveling to Thailand.
The energy is palpable! The history of those who've battled in its ring is ever present.
I'm disappointed I was not able to go one last time but I will never forget the experience of being there. Kap Khun Kap!
"



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