Srisaket Sor Rungvisai: ‘Fans call me “Rat King” because my favourite meal is grilled bandicoot rat’

Srisaket Sor Rungvisai

When and why you started boxing:
I started training in Muay Thai when I was around 13 years old because one of my neighbours wanted to fight me. When I was 22, I moved to Bangkok to work as a security guard and trash collector. That was where I met a boxing matchmaker who booked me to fight in Japan against Akira Yaegashi, who went on to become a three-division world champion. Before that fight, Iโ€™d never competed in boxing, so of course
I lost. That was the beginning of my boxing career.

Favourite all-time fighter:
Veeraphol Sahaprom is my all-time favourite Thai fighter. Heโ€™s a hero in my country. The foreign fighter that I like the most is Manny Pacquiao. Heโ€™s a global superstar and heโ€™s a southpaw like me.

Best fight youโ€™ve seen:
Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao did well in attack and Mayweather did well in defence.

Personal career highlight:
My two victories over Roman โ€˜Chocolatitoโ€™ Gonzalez, who was the No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter in the world when we first fought. Those wins changed my life.

srisaket sor rungvisai

Toughest opponent:
Carlos Cuadras. He was always running away from me, so it was tough to catch him.

Best and worst attributes as a boxer:
The best attribute that any boxer can have is discipline. Itโ€™s essential.

Training tip:
When throwing a punch, make sure to rotate your shoulders and body, as this will increase your punching power.

Favourite meal/restaurant:
Fans call me โ€˜Rat Kingโ€™ because my favourite meal is grilled bandicoot rat. My favourite restaurant is Tee-Noi, where they serve Thai barbecue. Itโ€™s next to my gym, so I usually go there after training.

Best friends in boxing:
Phongsaphon Panyakum. Heโ€™s a rising young star who fights in the super-flyweight division like me. Weโ€™re fighting on the same card on March 13. You have to watch this guy. Heโ€™s going to be my successor.

Last film/TV show you saw:
The movie, Mulan.

Have you ever been starstruck:
When I met Sarach Yooyen. Heโ€™s a footballer who plays for Thailand.

Rungvisai will be boxing on DAZN this weekend. Click here for sign up details

Last time you cried:
When I lost to Juan Francisco Estrada in our rematch. I was so disappointed because I couldโ€™ve performed better. I canโ€™t wait to fight him again in the future.

Best advice received:
โ€˜Fight for our family.โ€™ My wife always says this to me when I feel down. It encourages me so much.

Worst rumour about yourself:
That I skip training sessions and I lack determination and discipline. These rumours arenโ€™t true. My goal is to become a three-time world champion, and I believe I can do it.

Something not many people know about you:
Iโ€™m very down to earth and Iโ€™ve never forgotten where I came from.

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