{"id":5756,"date":"2024-03-18T15:17:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-18T15:17:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/?p=5756"},"modified":"2026-06-22T02:06:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T02:06:43","slug":"poot-lorlek","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/poot-lorlek\/","title":{"rendered":"Poot Lorlek: \u201cThe Comet of the South\u201d and a Muay Thai Master"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The legendary Muay Thai technician Poot Lorlek is remembered as one of the greatest fighters in the history of the Art of Eight Limbs. Most notably, the striker stood out for his intelligence; he was a smart striker who fought with speed, precision, and unbreakable footwork. Plus, shockingly, he was never knocked down or knocked out in his entire run.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This Nak Muay was Lumpinee Stadium at just the age of 19, plus he collected Fighter of the Year and Fight of the Year awards throughout his career. The legendary Poot Lorlek also earned a title in boxing, plus was crowned Fighter of the Century, and was inducted into the Muay Thai Hall of Fame.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Poot<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Who is Poot Lorlek?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Name:<\/strong><\/td>Poot Lorlek or Taweesak Pipatku<\/td><\/tr>
Birth Name:<\/strong><\/td>Taweesak Pipatkul<\/td><\/tr>
Thai Name:<\/strong><\/td>\u0e17\u0e27\u0e35\u0e28\u0e31\u0e01\u0e14\u0e34\u0e4c \u0e1e\u0e34\u0e1e\u0e31\u0e12\u0e19\u0e4c\u0e01\u0e38\u0e25<\/td><\/tr>
Date of Birth:<\/strong><\/td>January 1, 1952<\/td><\/tr>
Place of Birth:<\/strong><\/td>Bang Duan, Palian, Trang, Thailand<\/td><\/tr>
Nickname:<\/strong><\/td>“Angel Boxer” or “Trang City Boy” or “The Comet of the South”<\/td><\/tr>
Height:<\/strong><\/td>174 cm (5 ft 9 in)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight:<\/strong><\/td>135 lb (61 kg; 9 st 9 lb)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight Classes:<\/strong><\/td>Junior Featherweight, Lightweight<\/td><\/tr>
Record(s):<\/strong><\/td>51 (7 KO) – 13 – 2<\/td><\/tr>
Years Active:<\/strong><\/td>1966 – 1979<\/td><\/tr>
Championships:<\/strong><\/td>Lumpinee Stadium Champion, Lightweight Boxing Champion, King’s Fighter of the Year (1974), Fight of the Year (1975)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Taweesak Pipatku<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Poot Lorlek, born Taweesak Pipatku in 1952 in Palian District, Trang Province, southern Thailand. His early life in Palian<\/a>, part of Trang Province, is a region known for its rich cultural diversity and landscapes, including beautiful beaches and forests. It is an agricultural area that produces palm oil and rubber primarily. This was the backdrop for his introduction to Muay Thai. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Poot Lorlek’s journey in Muay Thai began at the age of 15 when he started training at the Sor Phinyo gym in his native province. This early start laid the foundation for his future success in the sport. By the age of 17, in 1969, he had already made a name for himself by moving to Bangkok and defeating the Lumpinee Stadium champion Sirinarong Sakthanine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His move to Bangkok also brought him under the mentorship of his uncle, a former Muay Thai champion, who played a crucial role in his training and development. Under his uncle’s guidance, Poot adopted the fighter\u2019s name “Poot Lorlek.” His younger brother, Sin Lorlek, also became a notable fighter, although his career was tragically cut short at the age of 20.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Poot<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Career Defining Victories<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Opponent<\/th>Result<\/th>Year<\/th>Why It Mattered<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>
Sirinarong Sakthanine<\/td>Win (Decision)<\/td>1969<\/td>Won his Bangkok debut at Lumpinee Stadium at just 17 years old, announcing himself nationally<\/td><\/tr>
Samyan Singsornthong<\/td>Win (Decision)<\/td>1971<\/td>Captured the Lumpinee 122 lb title at only 19 years old<\/td><\/tr>
Fasai Taweechai<\/td>Win (Decision)<\/td>1972<\/td>Beat a former Fighter of the Year and elite technician of the era<\/td><\/tr>
Kongdej Lukbangprasoi<\/td>Win (Decision)<\/td>1974<\/td>Defeated one of the era\u2019s top stadium fighters in a major Lumpinee matchup<\/td><\/tr>
Saensak Muangsurin<\/td>Win (Decision)<\/td>1974<\/td>Beat the devastating puncher in one of Muay Thai\u2019s classic skill-versus-power rivalries<\/td><\/tr>
Vicharnnoi Porntawee<\/td>Win (Decision)<\/td>1975<\/td>Won the legendary rubber match later named Fight of the Year<\/strong> in front of a packed Lumpinee crowd<\/td><\/tr>
Hikari Asaki<\/td>Win (KO)<\/td>1975<\/td>Defeated the Japanese champion, reinforcing his international reputation<\/td><\/tr>
Malaithong Sitkoon<\/td>Win (KO)<\/td>1975<\/td>Won the Thailand professional boxing lightweight title during his crossover boxing success<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

“The Comet of the South”<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Poot Lorlek’s reputation as a tactical striker in Muay Thai stems from his unique approach to the sport, which emphasized intelligence, strategy, and technical skill over brute strength. His fighting style was characterized by a thoughtful and analytical approach, making him a Muay Femur<\/a>, or a technical fighter, a term in Muay Thai used for fighters who are skilled in the technical aspects of the sport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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