Kem Sitsongpeenong: Isuzu Champion 2011

Last Updated on Saturday, 11 June 2011 04:22 Saturday, 11 June 2011 02:33

Written by T N

Isuzu Tournament Finals, June 11, Results from Siam Omnoi Stadium, Channel 3

This weekend was big for Muay Thai. Kem Sitsongpeenong captured first place in the Isuzu Tournament and Dernchonlek Sor Sor Niyom took third over Prakaisaeng Sit-Or in the same tournament. Both wins came by knockout.

Kem knocked out Nopparat Keatkhamtorn in the third with a fantastic stabbing left elbow. At no point in the fight did Nopparat seriously threaten. Kem looked stronger and seemed to be a step ahead of Nopparat in attacking. Nopparat seemed troubled by his power and had trouble countering after kicks. They seemed about to get into the rhythm of the later rounds when Kem pawed Nopparat's right hand down and landed his elbow. The first two rounds consisted of them testing each others' defenses with hard single shots. Kem got the better of the exchanges.

The prize for first place was 1 million baht and an Isuzu pickup truck. He also earns a spot in the next Thai Fight series.

Dernchonlek's win came after a very rough first round. He threw a rear leg teep which Prakaisaeng caught and countered with a stiff right hand. The rest of the round consisted of Prakaisaeng chasing Dernchonlek around the ring slinging right and left hands while Dernchonlek covered with a tight guard against the ropes. Prakaisaeng looked like he was debating whether to keep chasing a couple of time, but he kept up the pressure with the hands, catching Dernchonlek a few more times. He could also have used the opportunity to deal damage to Prakaisaeng's legs or wade in with elbows.

In rounds two and three, Dernchonlek came forward with knees in the clinch and it became a close fight, with Prakaisaeng defending and landing hard counter knees. He was already ahead because of the first round and seemed to pull even further ahead in the third. Dernchonlek wore him down in the fourth and knocked him out with a string of left knees and two bodyshots after trapping him in the corner.

Dernchonlek was awarded two checks totalling 500,000 baht and given a bonus of 30,000 for his KO win.

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