THE RISE OF BUAKAW: THE 2004 K-1 MAX STORY

Prior to the 2004 k-1 max Buakaw was little known outside of Thailand. He had collected several belts fighting in Bangkok but the 70kg weight class in Thailand is a much thinner talent pool and most of the fighters that end up at this weight had their hay days lighter, and, in their early 20’s. Buakaws highest ranking was number 2 in the famed Lumpinee stadium and at the time, he would have been small for the 70kg division, especially with the Japanese weighing in fighters 48 hours before their bouts at this time. This would have given some of the westerners a big physical advantage as they would have cut a lot of weight, and then rehydrated and eaten over those 48 hours, to be much bigger then the 70kg weigh in limit. The first K-1 MAX was in 2002 and won by Dutch fighter Albert Kraus, the 2nd in 2003 was won by beloved Japanese fighter Masato, who defeated previous winner Kraus in their rematch by KO, was the tournament favourite.
Buakaw went on to win in dominant fashion setting him on route to becoming the household name he is today.

[@JR-vm4tm]

I remember this so perfectly, I've probably watched the 2004 tournament about 100 times. I have it on DVD still! I'm a 34 year old lawyer now and only train to stay fit, but back then I wanted to become a fighter. So many memories this brings back. Masato took some serious punishment and kept going here, he earned a lot of respect too, because of his resilience and work ethic

[@jalenikezeue4114]

Buakaw Is My Hero ⭐ Man He is The definition of Hard work and Dedication 💮

[@MrVvulf]

Enjoyed the video. Thailand should be ashamed for allowing gyms like Por. Pramuk Gym, the one Buakaw and Namsaknoi came from, to exist. Buakaw made zero money while with them, and would still be dirt poor today if he hadn't become famous enough to break away from them thanks to the international spotlight. Namsaknoi was Lumpinee Stadium champion for a record 6 years straight, with a record of 285-15. He left the sport with zero money. He retired at 28, in his prime, because the gym wouldn't let him out of his contract, and he wouldn't fight for them any more. Disgraceful. And things have only gotten worse on the Muay Thai scene since then. Gamblers run the show. Judges are scared (or just corrupt) and score the bouts according to the betting odds, regardless of actual performance in the ring.

[@prostriking]

Namsaknoi and Buakaw are 2 of my all time favourite fighters! I didn't realise that about Namsaknoi! Terrible! I saw Namsaknoi did have a gym on one of the islands but it seems to have disappeared too! Deserves to be well of after such an unbelievable career! Thanks for the comment and glad you enjoyed the video!

[@suhribzevolution645]

ขอบคุณที่ติดตามเรื่องราวของไทย ใช่บัวขาวไม่เคยได้รับเงินเลยแม้แต่1ดอลล่าห์ในการชก K1เขาทุ่มเทแต่ไม่เคยได้รับเงิน

[@kevinthomas7259]

My favorite fighter of all time

[@kevinthomas7259]

Masato is no joke, buakaw is amazing and my hero, buakaw vs masato 3 for the true champion!!!

[@agentsmith6570]

just found your channel today and i love it! :) gonna binge watch everything tonight hehe

[@prostriking]

This is the kind of comment I been waiting for haha 😆. Thank you, really appreciate it!! ❤️✌️

[@borualfa9127]

KING BUAKAW THE BEST OF ALL

[@partiepistol]

Awesome work! Love these biographical type videos!

[@prostriking]

Thanks mate, appreciate that! 😄❤️

[@kevinthomas7259]

Buakaw left leg is so fast with those kicks to the stomach.....I want to learn Muay Thai for self defense

[@suhribzevolution645]

เตะขวาก็แรงมากเช่นกัน จนผมสงสัยว่าบัวขาวถนัดซ้ายหรือขวา เพราะบางครั้งเขาก็เตะขวาและชกหมัดขวาอย่างรุนแรงเช่นเดียวกัน

[@suhribzevolution645]

คุณอยู่อเมริกาหรือยุโรป ผมอยากให้คุณมาประเทศไทยสักครั้ง คนไทยยินดีต้อนรับชาวต่างชาติเสมอ เราเป็นมิตรและเคารพพวกคุณ

[@kevinthomas7259]

@@suhribzevolution645 hey bro , the translation button is not working, I wish I could read what you're saying

[@alexstrokan]

Невероятный боец!Спасибо автор что выложил видео!

[@nathaniel_1152]

Great video

[@prostriking]

Thank you!

[@user-pi3qk7ey7n]

ขอบคุณที่รักบัวขาว บัวขาวคือความภูมิใจของคนไทย 🥰

[@suhribzevolution645]

ผมอยากรู้ว่าต่างชาติพวกคุณคิดยังไงกับแชมป์ลุมพินี และแชมป์ราชดำเนินที่ประเทศไทยส่งแชมป์เหล่านั้นไปชกต่างประเทศ สนามเรามีมาตรฐานพอหรือเปล่า?ในมุมมองชาวต่างชาติ

[@exen3980]

Its really suprising how other thai fighters can easily outplayed Buakaw , at least before he was in K-1

[@prostriking]

Ye for sure! The level is so high there! Buakaw one of my favourite fighters of all time! Thanks for commenting 😄🙏

[@suhribzevolution645]

เขาไม่เก่งเมื่อต่อสู้กับนักชกชาวไทย บัวขาวถนัดต่อสู้กับชาวต่างชาติ

[@suhribzevolution645]

ผมเป็นคนไทย ผมอยากรู้ว่าชาวต่างชาติคุณคิดยังไงกับแชมป์มวยไทยสนามลุมพินี แชมป์ราชดำเนิน ปี2002 แชมป์ของประเทศไทยแพ้ K1รอบชิงชนะเลิศ และปี2003แชมป์ลุมพินีของ้ราก็โดนมาซาโตะน็อคในรอบชิงชนะเลิศ จนปี2004บัวขาวก็เข้ามาในฐานะตัวสำรอง (เพราะตัวจริงที่ต้องชกคือน้ำสักน้อยแชมป์ลุมพินีบาดเจ็บ)

[@kevinthomas7259]

What you mean outplay Buakaw?? I saw him kick and elbow many Thai fighters... Buakaw fighting spirit is what makes him the best

[@exen3980]

@@kevinthomas7259 I know he is a ferocious fighter, But before he was is K-1, He could not do too well againts most of the Thai fighters, being ferocious is not enough there, cuz you know Thai fighters are all ferocious, so they must have better iq than other fighters in order to win

[@kevinthomas7259]

😊

[@prostriking]

😄🙌

[@kevinthomas7259]

Does buakaw know English or just Thai? Language

[@suhribzevolution645]

น่าจะรู้แค่ภาษาไทยนะครับ แต่อังกฤษของเค้าก็ดีขึ้น และตอนนี้ฉันคิดว่าเค้ามีล่าม คนใกล้ตัวที่คอยช่วยแปลภาษา

[@tobad642]

I'm guessing Japan really wanted masato tow in so they added an extra round with buakaw to tire him out