Chamuekpet Hapalang
Mr. Computer Knee, champion in seven weight classes
- Born
- August 10, 1962, Si Racha, Chonburi, Thailand
- Nationality
Thailand- Height
- 168 cm (5′6″)
- Stance
- Southpaw
- Style
- Knee fighter turned counter-fighter
- Weight
- Pinweight, Mini Flyweight, Light Flyweight, Flyweight, Bantamweight, Super Bantamweight, Featherweight
- Active
- c. 1974–2000
- Status
- Retired · age 64
The record
Muay Thai per Wikipedia; era records are approximate. Pro boxing 10-1 (6 KO).
The story
hamuekpet Hapalang, born Vichean Bootdee in Chonburi, won nine stadium titles, four at Lumpinee and five at Rajadamnern, across seven weight classes between 1980 and 1994. Early on he was a southpaw pressure fighter who threw precise straight knees, earning the nickname Mr. Computer Knee, and his teep was rated among the best in Thailand. He beat Samart Payakaroon for the Lumpinee 102-pound belt in 1980 and was the 1985 Sports Writers Fighter of the Year. In the 1990s, with Samart as his trainer, he switched to a patient counter-fighting style that stretched his career. He also won the PABA featherweight boxing title. In 2000 he beat Kensaku Maeda despite breaking his arm in the fight, then retired and settled in Tokyo as a coach.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- Lumpinee Stadium champion at 102, 108, 112 and 118 lb (1980–1983)
- Rajadamnern Stadium champion at 105, 122 and 126 lb (five reigns, 1980–1994)
- PABA featherweight boxing champion (1997–1998, 4 defenses)
- Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year (1985)
- Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fight of the Year (1994)
Defining fights
- 1980WINvs Samart Payakaroon (decision, won Lumpinee 102 lb title)
- 1982WINvs Kongtoranee Payakaroon (decision, won Lumpinee 112 lb title)
- 1983WINvs Sornsilp Sitnoenpayom (decision, won Lumpinee 118 lb title)
- 1994WINvs Chaidet Kiatchansing (KO 3, won Rajadamnern 126 lb title, Fight of the Year)
- 2000WINvs Kensaku Maeda (unanimous decision, won despite a broken arm)
Use the straight knee as a range weapon, not just a clinch strike: step in behind a teep or long guard and drive the rear knee straight up the middle before the opponent can tie you up.
2016–now
