Wichannoi Porntawee

"“The Eternal Yodmuay / Eternal Top Boxer” (ยอดมวยอมตะ); “King Cobra Who Guards His Eggs” (จงอางหวงไข่)"

Wichannoi Porntawee was a Muay Mat master of intelligent pressure—fast feet, long punching chains, and chopping low kicks. He held simultaneous Flyweight (112 lb) titles at Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, then rose to become Rajadamnern 130-lb champion with multiple defenses. His era-defining wars earned Fight of the Year honors vs Poot Lorlek (1975) and Dieselnoi (1980). A true “Eternal Yodmuay,” he’s a benchmark for smart aggression.

Fighting Style: Muay Mat

Wichannoi Porntawee

Fighter Stats

Birth Year

1948

Nationality

Thai

Weight Classes

Flyweight – 112 lbs (≈50.8 kg)
Junior Bantamweight – 115 lbs (≈52.2 kg)
Bantamweight – 118 lbs (≈53.5 kg)
Junior Featherweight – 122 lbs (≈55.3 kg)
Featherweight – 126 lbs (≈57.1 kg)
Junior Lightweight – 130 lbs (≈59 kg)

Active Years

1961–1981

Camp/Gym

Srimuangnon → Porntawee → Petchyindee

Achievements

Titles Won

Lumpinee Stadium Flyweight (112 lb) Champion (1967–1968; 1 defense).
Rajadamnern Stadium Flyweight (112 lb) Champion (1968–1969; 1 defense).
Rajadamnern Stadium Super Featherweight (130 lb) Champion (1974–1978; 5 defenses).
1975 Fight of the Year (vs Poot Lorlek);
1980 Fight of the Year (vs Dieselnoi)
Yodmuaythai trophies 1977 & 1978
2014 Siam Sport Hall of Fame

Notable Fights

vs Poot Lorlek, June 19, 1975
vs Dieselnoi Chor. Thanasukarn, Jan 22, 1980
vs Pudpadnoi Worawut

Signature Techniques

Long punching combinations to break guard (unusual volume for Muay Thai of the era)
Lead/inside low kick to set angles and slow opponents.
Side-teep to the hip to cancel southpaw kicks (a tactic later associated with Samart as well)
Active angling footwork to control pocket entries and exit off pivots

Biography

Wichannoi Porntawee (real name: Chucheep Iam-erb; born January 25, 1948 – died January 31, 2022, Thailand) is remembered as one of the great Muay Mat pressure stylists of the stadium era—an educated puncher whose ring craft, durability, and fight IQ let him beat bigger men across multiple divisions. Nicknamed the “Eternal Yodmuay” and the “King Cobra Who Guards His Eggs,” he captured championships at both major Bangkok stadiums, including simultaneous Flyweight (112 lbs) titles at Lumpinee and Rajadamnern, before moving up to become Rajadamnern Super Featherweight (130 lbs) Champion with multiple successful defenses. Across a career spanning the 1960s–early 1980s, he set a standard for intelligent aggression and longevity.

In the ring, Wichannoi blended fast feet with long punching combinations, chopping low kicks, and crafty angle changes—walking opponents onto counters, then exiting on pivots to reset the exchange. His résumé includes era-defining rivalries and award-winning bouts, notably Fight of the Year honors versus Poot Lorlek (1975) and Dieselnoi Chor. Thanasukarn (1980), alongside classics with Pudpadnoi Worawut and other champions. Revered by peers and later generations, his legacy bridges technical pressure fighting with championship consistency, securing his place among the sport’s all-time greats.

Defining traits: educated pressure • combination punching • calf-chopping low kick • clever pivots and exits • durability under fire

Career highlights: Lumpinee Flyweight Champion • Rajadamnern Flyweight Champion • Rajadamnern Super Featherweight Champion (multiple defenses) • Fight of the Year (1975 vs Poot Lorlek; 1980 vs Dieselnoi) • elite longevity—“Eternal Yodmuay”