Anuwat Kaewsamrit

Real Name: Apisak Rongpichai
Born: November 17, 1981
Hometown: Nakhon Si Thammarat, Thailand
Height: 170 cm
Stance: Orthodox
Style: Muay Mat
Gym: Kaewsamrit
Trainer: Terdtoon Kiatkanchai
Era: Late Golden Era → Modern Stadium Era

Anuwat Kaewsamrit was one of the most successful Muay Mat fighters of his generation. A powerful puncher who remained rooted in traditional Muay Thai, he built his career around forward pressure, timing and combinations rather than relying on punching alone.

Nicknamed "The Iron Hands of Siam", Anuwat's style was based on using his punches within the wider structure of Muay Thai. His right hand and left hook were among his most recognised weapons, but his success also came from his ability to close distance, maintain balance and combine his boxing with kicks, elbows and clinch work.

Born in Nakhon Si Thammarat in southern Thailand, Anuwat moved to Bangkok as a teenager and became involved with Kaewsamrit Gym. He initially worked around the gym before earning the opportunity to train there properly. Within six months he was competing, and by the age of 17 he was already fighting internationally, including victories over foreign champions in Japan.

His rise through the Bangkok stadiums followed soon after.

Between 1998 and 2000, Anuwat won titles at Rajadamnern across the mini flyweight, light flyweight and flyweight divisions. At the lighter weights, where speed and technical movement were often major parts of a fighter's game, Anuwat brought a different approach. He was willing to move forward, create exchanges and look for openings with his hands.

That did not mean abandoning the traditional scoring of Muay Thai. His punching was most effective because it was supported by the rest of his game. He could enter behind his punches, use the clinch when necessary and bring his kicks and elbows into the same exchanges.

This became the foundation of his reputation as a Muay Mat.

Anuwat was particularly dangerous in fights where he could establish his rhythm. He had the power to change a fight with a single exchange, but he was also capable of working patiently and building damage over the course of a bout. His record reflects that finishing ability, with 61 knockouts from 108 documented wins.

His career reached one of its most significant points in 2005 when he defeated Nopparat Keatkhamtorn by first-round knockout. The victory gave Anuwat the opportunity to hold both the Rajadamnern and Lumpinee featherweight titles, an achievement that marked him out as one of the leading fighters at the weight.

The knockout itself became one of the better-known finishes of his career, coming from a clean right hand.

Anuwat also established himself internationally as Muay Thai continued to expand outside Thailand. He won world titles with organisations including WBC MuayThai, WPMF and WMC, and continued to compete against international opposition.

One of the notable examples came in 2009 when he defeated Liam Harrison in Jamaica, using low kicks to finish the fight. The result demonstrated that Anuwat's effectiveness was not limited to his punching. As opponents became more familiar with his hands, he could adjust his approach and use other parts of his game to cause damage.

His strongest years came during the early and middle part of the 2000s. He was named Sports Writers Association of Thailand Fighter of the Year in 2003 and 2004 and received other recognition during a period when the stadiums remained highly competitive.

Among the fighters he faced were Singdam Kiatmuu9, Seanchernglak Jirakrengkrai, Lerdsila Chumpairtour and Nong-O Sit.Or. These were established fighters from the same competitive generation, and Anuwat's career was built on repeatedly facing high-level opposition rather than avoiding difficult matchups.

As he moved into the later stages of his career, Anuwat increasingly competed against larger opponents and experienced more mixed results. His style, based in part on pressure and physical exchanges, naturally became more difficult to maintain as the demands of fighting at higher weights and later in his career increased.

He continued to compete for titles, however, and remained a dangerous opponent throughout his career.

Anuwat eventually moved into coaching, continuing his involvement in Muay Thai outside the ring. He is now associated with Impax Academy Thailand, where he passes on the techniques and experience developed during his years in the stadiums.

His documented Muay Thai and kickboxing record stands at 108 wins, 38 losses and 6 draws, with 61 knockouts. Records from Thai fighters can vary between sources, particularly across long careers involving multiple promotions and weight classes.

Anuwat Kaewsamrit's place in Muay Thai comes from the way he demonstrated that punching could be used successfully at the highest level without taking a fighter away from the fundamentals of the sport.

He was a Muay Mat, but he was still a complete Muay Thai fighter. His hands were his most obvious weapon, but it was the structure around them that allowed him to compete with some of the best fighters of his generation.