{"id":9572,"date":"2025-02-07T03:17:59","date_gmt":"2025-02-07T03:17:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/?p=9572"},"modified":"2026-06-22T02:07:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T02:07:07","slug":"kaoklai-kaennorsing-giant-killer-biography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/muaythai.com\/th\/kaoklai-kaennorsing-giant-killer-biography\/","title":{"rendered":"Kaoklai Kaennorsing “Giant Killer” | Biography & Fights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

He went from a small-town kid in northeastern Thailand to one of Muay Thai\u2019s most fearless fighters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nicknamed “The Giant Killer,” Kaoklai Kaennorsing built his reputation by taking on\u2014and defeating\u2014 giant opponents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Name:<\/strong><\/td>Kaoklai Kaennorsing<\/td><\/tr>
Birth Name: <\/strong><\/td>Athit DamKam<\/td><\/tr>
Thai Name:<\/strong><\/td>\u0e01\u0e49\u0e32\u0e27\u0e44\u0e01\u0e25 \u0e41\u0e01\u0e48\u0e19\u0e19\u0e23\u0e2a\u0e34\u0e07\u0e2b\u0e4c<\/td><\/tr>
Date of Birth: <\/strong><\/td>September 13, 1983<\/td><\/tr>
Place of Birth:<\/strong><\/td>Khon Kaen,\u00a0Thailand<\/td><\/tr>
Nicknames: <\/strong><\/td>Matrix Defense, Giant Killer<\/td><\/tr>
Height:<\/strong><\/td>1.80\u00a0m (5\u00a0ft 11\u00a0in)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight:<\/strong><\/td>79\u00a0kg (174\u00a0lb; 12.4\u00a0st)<\/td><\/tr>
Weight Class: <\/strong><\/td>Welterweight, Middleweight, Light Heavyweight, Cruiserweight<\/td><\/tr>
Team: <\/strong><\/td>Kaoklai Studio, Evolve MMA, Jocky Gym, Ihara D\u014dj\u014d<\/td><\/tr>
Years active: <\/strong><\/td>2001\u20132012<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Kaoklai
Kaoklai Kaennorsing “Giant Killer”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Origin Story<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Born in Khon Kaen<\/a>, Thailand, Kaoklai Kaennorsing was often bullied for his gentle nature growing up. Determined to defend himself, he begged his parents to let him train at Kaennorsing Camp, located within his father\u2019s army barracks. Though hesitant at first, they eventually agreed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Training twice daily, before and after school, he committed himself fully to the demanding routine. He lost his first fight, but the experience only pushed him to improve. By his teenage years, he had built a reputation as a rising talent in northeastern Thailand, developing his skills among some of Thailand’s up-and-coming fighters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Kaennorsing, Kaoklai trained under Phra Kiat Kaennorsing, a respected trainer known for developing young fighters. The camp had a legacy of producing champions, with names like Robert Kaennorsing<\/a>, Wanwiset Kaennorsing, and Rolex Kaennorsing moving on to Jocky Gym<\/a> in Bangkok during the 1980s and 90s. Kaoklai followed the same path, relocating to Jocky Gym, where he trained among some of Thailand\u2019s top fighters such as Lerdsila Chumpairtour<\/a>, Chaowarit Jocky Gym and Saenchai<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Early Rajadamnern Run<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At 19, Kaoklai won the Rajadamnern Stadium welterweight title (147 lbs \/ ~67 kg) by defeating Charnvit Kiat Tor Bor Ubon but later lost the belt in a rematch. He then moved up in weight and claimed the Rajadamnern Stadium super welterweight title (154 lbs \/ ~70 kg) with a decisive win over Chalermsak Chuwatthana in December 2002.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kaoklai
Kaoklai Kaennorsing, pictured with his IKKC belt, WBC belt, and Rajadamnern belts | Taipei Wing Chun<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Despite his success in Muay Thai, Kaoklai had limited opportunities in Thailand. His weight divisions, while competitive, didn\u2019t attract the same attention or financial rewards as the lighter or heavier classes. Moving to K-1\u2019s openweight division gave him a chance to fight on a bigger stage\u2014and for significantly better pay. With no dedicated weight class for fighters his size, Kaoklai had little choice but to take on much larger opponents, embracing the challenge and the financial incentives that came with it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “Giant Killer” Emerges<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Kaoklai\u2019s career gained international recognition in 2004 when he entered the K-1 World Grand Prix in Seoul. Competing in the openweight division, he faced opponents who outweighed him by more than 30 kg (\u2248 65 lbs). Despite the size disadvantage, he used his matrix-like evasions and gutsy jumping attacks to level the playing field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the July quarterfinal, Kaoklai knocked out Denis Kang with a right cross in the first round. Kang initially stayed on his feet and even threw Kaoklai to the ground in the clinch but collapsed moments later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n