Raktae Muangsurin

Boontham Thoykrathoke, professionally known as Raktae Muangsurin, was born on February 8, 1960, in Chaiyaphum, Thailand. He began his Muay Thai journey at the age of 14 and quickly rose through the ranks, initially fighting under the ring name Sianbo Sunkila Ladyai. At 17, he moved to Bangkok to train at the prestigious Muangsurin Gym, where he adopted the name Raktae Muangsurin, a nod to his deep affection for his wife, Amornrat Rakwanich.

Raktae's fighting style was characterized by his aggressive Muay Mat approach, focusing on powerful punches that earned him the nickname "Exploding Hell Puncher." Throughout his career, he amassed an impressive record of 90 wins, 39 losses, and 35 knockouts in Muay Thai. He was particularly renowned for his tenure as the Rajadamnern Stadium Lightweight Champion, a title he secured on September 6, 1979.

Despite a brief and less successful stint in kickboxing, where he recorded a 0-2-0 record, Raktae's legacy in Muay Thai remains significant. He was known for his resilience and refusal to back down in the ring, a hallmark of fighters from the Muangsurin Gym. After retiring at the age of 28, Raktae transitioned to a career as a TV commentator for the Siam Boxing Stadium, sharing his extensive knowledge and passion for the sport.