Veeraphol Sahaprom

Theeraphol Samranklang (Thai: ธีระพล สำราญกลาง; born November 16, 1968), known professionally as Veerapol Sahaprom (Thai: วีระพล สหพรหม), is a Thai retired professional Muay Thai fighter and professional boxer. A three-division Rajadamnern Stadium champion as well as a WBC and WBA bantamweight champion in boxing, he is widely regarded as one of the greatest Muay Thai fighters and also one of the greatest western-style boxers from Thailand. Nicknamed "Solemn-faced Tiger" or "Deathmask", he was known for never changing his expression when throwing punches. He is also known for his precise jab.

Sahaprom (nickname: Pol; พล) was born in Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Ratchasima province, but raised in Amphoe Kaeng Khoi, Saraburi province in Thailand. He started training in Muay Thai since childhood from his brother, forced. He made his Bangkok debut in 1985. Around 1990–94, he was a famous Muay Thai fighter under Chucharoen "Ung-mor" Raveearamwong stable. He has faced many fighters, such as Santos Devy, Silapathai Jockygym, Langsuan Panyuthaphum, Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang, Duangsompong Por Pongsawang, Burklerk Pinsinchai, and ever lost-won with Saenmuangnoi Lukchaopormahesak (Samson Dutch Boy Gym) two times, his maximum purse was 220,000 baht in fight with Baeber Narupai. He won three different weight classes championships of the Rajadamnern Stadium. His last fight in Muay Thai was to fight with Saenklai Sit Kru Od at Lumpinee Stadium.

Veerapol Sahaprom entered professional boxing in 1994 under Suchart Pisitwuttinan of Nakornluang Promotion as promoter and manager. In the debut, where he won the WBC International Super Flyweight Title. He challenged a world title for the first time in only his fourth fight as a professional, defeating fellow Thai Daorung Chuvatana. At that time, he was regarded as a boxer who had fought the second fewest fights and became a world champion (after Saensak Muangsurin in 1970s) by fighting only four times.

However, Sahaprom lost his first defense against former WBC Super Flyweight Champion Nana Konadu at Kanchanaburi Stadium, losing his title in only four months.

Three years after losing his WBA world title, Sahaprom got his second world title shot against WBC Bantamweight Champion Joichiro Tatsuyoshi on December 29, 1998. The fight took place in Osaka, Japan, and Sahaprom won by Technical Knockout in the 6th round, becoming world champion for the second time. Sahaprom fought Tatsuyoshi again in August, 1999, knocking him out in the 7th round for his second defense of the title.

Sahaprom defended his title 14 times from 1996 to 2005, winning numerous non-title fights in between. He also fought Japanese boxer Toshiaki Nishioka four times during his reign, retaining his title in every single fight. Sahaprom finally lost his title to Hozumi Hasegawa in a 12-round unanimous decision. He held the WBC Bantamweight Title for over six years.

Sahaprom fought five non-title fights after losing his title to Hasegawa, winning all five, including four by knockout. He challenged Hasegawa on March 25, 2006 in Kobe to avenge his loss, but was knocked down with a right hook in the 9th round, and was unable to pick himself up. This was the second knockout loss of his career, and his eighth fight in Japan.

Sahaprom announced his retirement from boxing at age 39 after a loss to Vusi Malinga in a world title eliminator on June 12 in Bangkok, Thailand. He returned to the ring less than a year later on March 20, 2009 to knockout Yudi Arema.

After retirement, he opened a Thai food restaurant in Chaiyaphum province, his wife's hometown. He is also a trainer the Dabransarakarm gym in Maha Sarakham province.

At the end of 2017, he returned to fight again in Muay Thai style with old rival Samson Dutch Boy Gym in special bout at Lumpinee Stadium. The result of the fight, Sahaprom, 49, lost on points in the midst of the overwhelming crowd.

In 2023, Sylvie von Duuglas-Ittu contacted Veeraphol and filmed a long session with him for her Muay Thai Library.

Muay Thai

• Rajadamnern Stadium
  • 1987 Rajadamnern Stadium Light Flyweight (108 lbs) Champion
  • 1988 Rajadamnern Stadium Flyweight (112 lbs) Champion
  • 1993 Rajadamnern Stadium Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion
    • Two successful title defenses
  • 1993 Rajadamnern Stadium Fighter of the Year

Boxing

• World Boxing Council
  • 1994 WBC International Super Flyweight (115 lbs) Champion
    • One successful title defenses
  • 1998 WBC World Bantamweight (118 lbs) Champion
    • Fourteen successful title defenses

• World Boxing Association
  • 1995 WBA World Bantamweight (118 lbs) Champion

• List of WBC world champions

• Boxing record for Veeraphol Sahaprom from BoxRec (registration required)