Yodsanklai interview by By Rob Cox

Thursday, May 5, 2005

Yodsanklai Petchyindee is one of the star fighters of Lumpini stadiums Petchyindee promotions, already having packed more into his career at the tender age of 19, than many fighters manage in their whole career. Yodsanklai comes from Khorat province in Thailands Northeast, a real hotbed of Muaythai and Muaythai runs in the family with his older brother Yodkangwan Petchindee introducing him to the sport at a young age. Yodsanklai is a former Lumpini stadium Flyweight champion and winner of the 2003 Toyota D4D commonrail tournament. Yodsanklai is renowned for his technical style which earnt him the knickname ‘the boxing computer’ and also has feared punching power and dangerous elbows. Fighters managed to catch up with Yodsanklai recently after he won in devastating fashion against Tuanthoung Chartchatrii, by 3 round elbow k.o.

Firstly you are 19 years old now, how old were you when you started your Muaythai career?
I started out after watching my older brother fight, when I was 8 years old.

How many fights have you had so far in your career?
I can’t remember exactly to be honest, but it would be somewhere between 150-200 fights.

Why did you decide to start fighting?
I first started because I enjoyed watching my brother fight, but also because where I am from is a very poor part of Thailand and I wanted to help my family.

Who is your favorite fighter that inspired you to be the fighter you are today?
That would be my current trainer and former Lumpini stadium champion and Petchyindee promotions star, Sanklai Sitkruu-od
You have already packed a lot into your career at an early age, how long do you think you will carry on for?
Well it will depend on if I can still fight at a competitive level and how long my promoter is willing to match me. But I hope to carry on for at least another 6 years.
What has made you most proud so far in your career?
Winning the Toyota D4D commonrail tournament.
Who has been your toughest opponent so far in your career?
That would be Orono Majestic gym who I have fought twice losing both fights.

Who would you most like to fight right now?
I don’t care to be honest! I will fight whoever my promoter puts in front of me.
What is your favorite style of fighter to meet in the ring?
I prefer to fight boxers with a Technical style like mine.

What is your least favorite?
I don’t really have one, I can adapt to any style.
Right now you are growing fast and rapidly moving up the weight divisions, it’s getting hard to find a good opponent for you to fight in Thailand, would you like to try at fighting abroad in something like K-1 MAX?
I would love the chance to fight in K-1 or any similar tournaments.

You have very good hand skills for a Thai fighter, would you like to try your luck at International boxing?
Yes I would, it is definitely something I am looking towards for the future.

What are your hopes for your future in your boxing career?
I would like to win a W.B.C world title in international boxing.

What about after you have hung up your gloves, what do you see yourself doing?
I would like to be a policeman.

Do you have any sporting interests outside of Muaytahi?
Yes I follow football closely especially Man Utd.

Thank you for your time
Thank you.