Boonlai Sor.Thanikul

Boonlai Sor.Thanikul (บุญหลาย ส ธนิกุล; born: November 11, 1970 in Chachoengsao Province, Thailand), also anglicized as Boonlay Sor.Thanikun, is a former Thai Muay Thai fighter. He is respected as one of the most skilled fighters of the Muay Thai golden era who fought a wide variety of opponents.

He won 2 Lumpinee Stadium titles against "The Wonder Boy" Karuhat Sor.Supawan and "Mr. Merciless Knee" Langsuan Panyuthaphum and defended them both against Oley Kiatoneway.

Early life
Ramoon and his twin brother were born into a poor family living in Chachoengsao province on November 16, 1970. At the age of 10, the twins started training Muay Thai at home with their father. They later joined the small Sitmabon gym near their home. After Ramoon fought out of Sitmabon around 50 times, the twins were found by a talent scout from Bangkok and were transferred to the Sor.Ploenchit gym at 13-years-old. Ramoon then used the ring name of Wangyu Sor.Ploenchit. After 2 years of fighting out of the millionaire-owned elite gym, the twins were given to the mafia-owned Sor.Thanikul gym in 1986 as a way for their boss to clear a gambling debt. The twins would adopt the ring names Boonlai and Boonlong Sor.Thanikul and made the rest of their careers fighting out of their new gym.

Despite the fact that the Sor.Thanikul gym was owned by notorious mafia godfather Klaew Thanikul, who was responsible for murder, drug trade, human trafficking, et cetera, Thanikul treated his gym's fighters well and gave them large sums of money. The Sor.Thanikul gym was unusually large and had higher quality training equipment compared to most Thai gyms of the time. Like the other fighters in the gym, the twins trained everyday under headman Pueng Sor.Thanikul in what was considered one of the best Muay Thai gyms in Thailand which produced a total of around 20 champions in the Lumpinee and Rajadamnern stadiums.

Elite career
Boonlai and Boonlong would go on to be the most famous fighters in the Sor.Thanikul gym's history. They would fight under the Onesongchai promotion. In 1989, Boonlai would defeat an elite fighter who the Thai audiences considered a superstar at the time, Karuhat Sor.Supawan. On the same card, Boonlong defeated the renowned pressure fighter Pongsiri "Rambo" Sor. Ruamrudee. Boonlai would face "The Top Master" Karuhat a total of 4 times with Boonlai defeating him in 3 bouts. Karuhat would later cite Boonlai as his most difficult opponent, admitting Boonlai's technicality and height as the reasons why. Oley Kiatoneway cited his first bout against Boonlai as his most painful fight, as Oley was winning on points until Boonlai darted forward with a right cross and knocked down Oley with a series of punches. Oley suffered from a headache after the knockdown and had to be hospitalized. Boonlai won the fight to successfully defend his 115 lbs Lumpinee title that he won for defeating "The Heartless Knee Striker" Langsuan Panyuthaphum.

As one of the most skilled rope-a-dope Muay Femur of the golden era, Boonlai excelled in all attacks, particularly in counter-striking, as can be seen in his fights. At the peak of his career Boonlai received purses as high as. Boonlai beat an unusually wide variety fighters of his era such as Langsuan Panyuthaphum, Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth, Jongsanan Fairtex, Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai, Jaroensap Kiatbanchong, and Somrak Khamsing. Boonlai stated that his victory against "The Ring Genius" Namkabuan was his favorite memory in his fighting career as he was the most significant fighter of Boonlai's weight class at the time. Boonlai recalls both Somrak and Namkabuan as the most difficult opponents he has ever faced.

Boonlai's final matchup was against Silapathai Jockygym. After it was observed that Boonlai was not performing to the best of his ability, Silapathai threw a question mark kick at his head followed it with a series of punches, knocking Boonlai out. Suspicion grew as Boonlai fell after receiving weak punches, and an investigation concluded that Boonlai faked the KO to intentionally lose the fight. Boonlai was supposedly banned from competition afterward. Despite this, Boonlai is remembered as one of the most talented fighters of the 1990s.

In Thailand, Boonlai is one of the few Muay Thai fighters who is said to have "fought everyone" as in he was matched up against an unusually wide array of elite fighters during his prime.

Later years
After his Muay Thai career, Boonlai became a trainer in various camps in Bangkok as well as opening his own gym called Sor.Korpilap in 2010. His twin brother Boonlong passed away from a car accident. Boonlai was also a Muay Thai coach for the 11th Infantry Military Base in Chachoengsao province.

Titles and honours

 * Lumpinee Stadium
 * 1990 Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs Champion (defended once)
 * 1992 Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs Champion (defended once)

Fight record

 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1994-09-28|| Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Silapathai Jockygym || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (High kick + punches)|| 2 ||
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1994-08-08|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Punches)|| 3 ||
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1994|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Oley Kiatoneway || ||  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1994-05-27 || Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai || Lumpinee Stadium ||  Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1994-04-29|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Chatchai Paiseetong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1994-03-25|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Lamnamoon Sor.Sumalee || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || KO (Uppercut + left hook)|| 2 ||

! style=background:white colspan=9 |For the Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title. ! style=background:white colspan=9 |Loses Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title.
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1994-02-13 || Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Karuhat Sor.Supawan || || Chachoengsao, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1994-01-07|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Pompetch Naratreekul || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1993-10-22 || Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Rittichai Lookchaomaesaithong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || KO (Right high kick) || 2 ||
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1993-08-31 || Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Chatchai Paiseetong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00


 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1993-08-06 || Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00

! style=background:white colspan=9 |Defends Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title. ! style=background:white colspan=9 |Wins Lumpinee Stadium 122 lbs title. ! style=background:white colspan=9 |Loses Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title. ! style=background:white colspan=9 |Defends Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title. ! style=background:white colspan=9 |Wins Lumpinee Stadium 115 lbs title.
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1993-07-11 || Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Oley Kiatoneway || OneSongchai || Nakhon Sawan, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1993-05-07 || Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Karuhat Sor.Supawan || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1993-04-06|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Jaroensap Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#c5d2ea;"
 * 1993-02-15|| Draw||align=left|🇹🇭 Superlek Sorn E-Sarn || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-12-30|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Chamuekpet Hapalang || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1992-11-20|| Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-10-13|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Oley Kiatoneway || OneSongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1992-09-11 ||Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Nuathoranee Thongracha || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-07-21 ||Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Nungubon Sitlerchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-06-30 ||Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Oley Kiatoneway || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-05-29|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Jongsanan Fairtex || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1992-04-24|| Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Nuathroanee Thongracha || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-03-10 || Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1992-01-31 || Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Wangchannoi Sor Palangchai || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1991-12-27|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Superlek Sorn E-Sarn || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1991-11-26|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Tanooin Chor Chuchat || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1991-10-25|| Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Cherry Sor Wanich || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1991-09-24|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#c5d2ea;"
 * 1991-09-03|| Draw ||align=left|🇹🇭 Jongsanan Fairtex || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1991-07-30|| Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Jirasak Keatsamanwit || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1991-06-28|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Samranthong Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1991-06-11|| Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Pimaranlek Sitaran || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#c5d2ea;"
 * 1991-05-17|| Draw||align=left|🇹🇭 Pimaranlek Sitaran || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1991-04-07|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Wanghin Por Chaiwat || Central Boxing Stadium || Samut Songkhram, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1991-03-22|| Win ||align=left|🇹🇭 Samranthong Kiatbanchong || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1991-01-20|| Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Panomrung Sit Sor Wor Por || Pantip Plaza Boxing Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-12-26 || Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Grandprixnoi Muangchaiyaphum || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-11-27 || Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Karuhat Sor.Supawan || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1990-10-26|| Loss ||align=left|🇹🇭 Pimaranlek Sitaran || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-09-19|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Boonam Chor Waikul || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-08-07|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Pimaranlek Sitaran || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1990-06-08 || Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Oley Kiatoneway || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1990-05-15|| Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Dokmaipa Por Pongsawang || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-04-24|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Oley Kiatoneway || OneSongchai, Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#fbb;"
 * 1990-03-02|| Loss||align=left|🇹🇭 Kangwannoi Or Seebualoi || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-02-06|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Kangwannoi Or Seebualoi || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1990-01-19|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Langsuan Panyuthaphum || Lumpinee Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#c5d2ea;"
 * 1989-12-08 || Draw||align=left|🇹🇭 Grandprixnnoi Muangchaiyapoom || Lumpinee Stadium ||  Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1989-11-07 || Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Noppadet Sor Rewadee || Lumpinee Stadium ||  Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1989-10-20|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Panphet Muangsurin || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1989-08-28 || Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Karuhat Sor.Supawan || Lumpinee Stadium ||  Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1989-07-25 || Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Seesot Sahakanohsot || Lumpinee Stadium ||  Bangkok, Thailand  || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * - style="background:#cfc;"
 * 1988-|| Win||align=left|🇹🇭 Daoden Sor.Sukkasem || Rajadamnern Stadium || Bangkok, Thailand || Decision || 5 || 3:00
 * colspan=9 | Legend:
 * colspan=9 | Legend: