Banlu Anwiset (Thai: บรรลุ อันวิเศษ; born August 4, 1966), known professionally as Coban Lookchaomaesaitong (Thai: โคบาล ลูกเจ้าแม่ไทรทอง), is a Thai retired Muay Thai fighter. He is a two-time Lumpinee Stadium champion who was famous in 1980s and 1990s. He retired in 2000 after a 23-year career in Thailand and moved to New York to coach. He formerly coached at New York Jiu Jitsu in lower Manhattan and Daddis Fight Camps in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Coban now splits his time between Buriram, Thailand at Camp Lookchaomaesaitong [1] and Coban's Muay Thai Camp in New York City.[2]
| Coban Lookchaomaesaitong | |
|---|---|
| Born | Banlu Anwiset August 4, 1966 Phutthaisong, Buriram, Thailand |
| Native name | บรรลุ อันวิเศษ |
| Nickname | The Crusher (???) Fist of Mor lam (ไอ้หมัดหมอลำ) |
| Height | 163 cm (5 ft 4 in) |
| Division | Super Featherweight Lightweight |
| Style | Muay Thai (Muay Mat) |
| Stance | Southpaw |
| Team | Muangsurin Gym Kiatbanchong Gym Lookchaomaesaitong Gym (-1990) |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 270 |
| Wins | 250 |
| By knockout | 90 |
| Losses | 20 |
Biography
editYoung age
editThis section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (May 2014) |
Coban was born as Banlu Anwiset in Phutthaisong, Buriram, Thailand, near the Cambodian border to a farmers' family of seven. One day while attending a local temple fair, he noticed that fighters were making what looked like easy money with their exhibitions. Seeing this as an opportunity to help his family, he resolved to become the best fighter in Thailand, and dreamed about fighting in Lumpinee stadium someday.
At 11, he started to train muay thai. With no money or resources, he made his own equipment by stuffing rice hulls and sawdust into canvas rice bags. Mimicking the moves of local fighters, he practiced daily after attending school and completing his farming chores. That same year he entered his first fight at a local temple, which resulted in a draw. The little money he earned went towards his family and education. Thus, his career was born.
It was at this time that Banlu acquired his fight name, "Coban," from a teacher of his who said that he looked like the actor Charles Bronson while riding on his Buffalo. At a later point in his career, American fans dubbed him Coban "The Cruncher." While in Thailand, he was dubbed "Fist of Mor lam" because he often dances on the ring with a Mor lam rhythm after a victory.[3]
Stardom
editIn 1978, while training at the recreational center, a ringside doctor named Sam Rhung Jong Gon noticed him. He was so impressed with Coban’s determination that he became his official sponsor and mentor. When Coban was 13, Doctor Gon sent him to a Muay Thai camp called Lookchamaesaitong where he trained for the next 9 years. By the age of 15, he had already fought more than 35 fights. At 19, Coban had won his first World Championship at Lumpinee stadium.
In 1990, Camp Lookchamaesaitong closed. To honor the camp, Coban adopted Lookchamaesaitong as his "fighting last name."
Coban fought more than 270 fights in his 23-year career. His last fight was against former student Danny Steele at the Warrior’s Cup in California in September 2000. Despite not having fought in 3 years, Coban won the match.
In 2010, Camp Lookchaomaesaitong in Buriram, Thailand, re-opened. Camp owner, Mr. Nipon Chotison (Renowned and well-respected in the world of Muay Thai) and his son-in-law, Namkabuan Ratchapuekcafe (retired fighter) decided to re-open the original site after being closed for almost 20 years. Coban has also joined the team, and their mission is to preserve the ancient and authentic art and lifestyle of Muay Thai.
The toughest fights of his career were against Ramon Dekkers. He fought him a total of four times, resulting in two wins and two losses. The Coban vs. Dekkers fights have been rated as the best by any standards, by Muay Thai fans worldwide.[4][5]
Titles and accomplishments
edit- Lumpinee Stadium
- 1985 Lumpinee Stadium Junior Lightweight (130 lbs) Champion
- 1990 Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion
- World Muay Thai Council
- 1991 WMTC World Super Lightweight Champion
- International Muaythai Federation
- 1992 IMF World Welterweight Champion
Fight record
edit| 270 Fights 250 wins 90 KOs 20 Losses | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-09-09 | Win |  Danny Steele |
Warriors Cup of America | Irvine, California, United States | Decision (Split) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Wins the title of Warriors Cup. | ||||||||
| ? | Win | Tony Carr |
World Championship Kickboxing | United States | KO (Low kick) | 3 | ||
| Wins the WKBA World Middleweight title. | ||||||||
| 1998-09-25 | Loss |  Malik Borbashev |
Draka VI | Los Angeles, California, United States | TKO (Retirement) | 7 | 0:00 | |
| 1998-07-07 | Loss | Manson Gibson |
Crystal Park Casino Outdoor Show[6] | Los Angeles, CA, USA | TKO (Right Back Kick) | 5 | 1:59 | |
| Fight was for the vacant IKF Pro World Muaythai Light cruiserweight title. | ||||||||
| 1998-05-24 | Loss | Malik Borbashev |
Draka V | Los Angeles, California, United States | Decision (Unanimous) | |||
| Fight was for the vacant Draka World Super middleweight title. | ||||||||
| ? | Loss |  Orono Por Muang Ubon |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1995- | Loss |  Guillaume Kerner |
Los Angeles, United States | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| For the WTMC World title. | ||||||||
| 1994-08-03 | Win | Dany Bill |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1994-06-25 | Loss |  Ramon Dekkers |
Paris, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1994 | Win | Hector Pena |
KO (Left Hook) | 2 | ||||
| Defends Muay Thai World Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 1993-02-14 | Win | Dida Diafat |
Thai Boxing World Championship | Brest, France | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1992-10-03 | Win | Jo Prestia |
Levallois-Perret, France | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| Wins Muay Thai World Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 1992-05-30 | Loss | Superlek Sorn E-Sarn |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1992-02-28 | Win | Ramon Dekkers |
Samut Prakan, Thailand | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| Wins the vacant IMF World Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| ? | Win | Joao Vieira |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1992-02-08 | Win | Samransak Muangsurin |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 2 | ||
| 1991-11- | Loss | Nongmoon Chomphutong |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Loses the Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) title. | ||||||||
| 1991- | Loss | Sakmongkol Sithchuchok |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1991- | Win | Nuenthong Senkiri |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 2 | ||
| 1991-08-06 | Loss | Ramon Dekkers |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO (Punches) | 1 | ||
| 1991-07-02 | Win | Chanchai Sor Tamarangsri |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 1 | ||
| 1991 | Win | Dida Diafat |
World Muaythai Championship | Decision (Unanimous) | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| Wins World Muay Thai title. | ||||||||
| 1991 | Win |  Humphfrey Harrison |
Netherlands | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| WTMC World Super Welterweight title. | ||||||||
| 1991 | Win | Bandong Sitbangprachan |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 2 | ||
| Wins the vacant Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) title. | ||||||||
| 1991-05-31 | Win | Samransak Muangsurin |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 3 | ||
| 1991-04-21 | Win | Ramon Dekkers |
IKL | Paris, France | KO (Left hook) | 1 | 1:00 | |
| 1991- | Win | Chombueng Chor.Waikul |
New Zealand | TKO | 4 | |||
| 1991- | Win | Noppadet Sor.Samruang |
Ayutthaya, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1990-07-29 | Win | Oliver Harrison |
England | TKO (Referee Stoappge) | 5 | |||
| Wins WTMC World Super Lightweight title. | ||||||||
| 1990-06-30 | Loss | Tantawannoi Sitsilachai |
Lumpinee Stadium | Bangkok, Thailand | Referee stoppage | 4 | ||
| 1990-05-27 | Win | Tommy van de Berg |
Holland vs Thailand | Amsterdam, Netherlands | KO (Left Hook) | 1 | ||
| 1990-03- | Loss | Boonchai ThanatuwanonEkamit |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-12-01 | Loss | BanDon Sit BangPrachan |
Ubon, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
| 1989-11-04 | Win | Chombueng Chor.Waikul |
Sisaket, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-10-29 | Win | Sornarin Welnakhompathom |
Nakhon Pathom, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
| 1989-10- | Draw | Saksit Muangsurin |
Buriram, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-07-01 | Win | Buakaew Kiatlansang |
Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-06-10 | Win | Palannoi Kiatanan |
Thailand | KO | 2 | |||
| 1989-05-18 | Win | Sornarin Welnakhompathom |
Mueang Chanthaburi, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-04-24 | Win | Kongkiat Sor.Jimmanchof |
Sisaket, Thailand | KO | 3 | |||
| 1989-04-12 | Win | Chombueng Chor. Waikul |
Korat, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-03-31 | Loss | Boonchai Huasai Gym |
Pattani, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | ||
| 1989-03-04 | Win | Saksit Muangsurin |
Omnoi Stadium | Samut Sakhon, Thailand | KO | 4 | ||
| 1989-01-07 | Win | Samart Fairtex |
Omnoi Stadium | Samut Sakhon, Thailand | KO | 3 | ||
| Win | Barndon Sitbangprachan |
Thailand | KO | |||||
| Win | Fallanoi Kietanan |
Thailand | KO | |||||
| 1987-05-19 | Win | Taunting Sityodtong |
Rangsit Stadium | Rangsit, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1987-01-23 | Loss | Phayapung Ekamit |
Rangsit Stadium | Rangsit, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| For the Magnum Tiger Tournament title. | ||||||||
| 1986-11-28 | Draw | Ritthichai Singkhiri |
Rangsit Stadium | Rangsit, Thailand | Decision | 5 | 3:00 | |
| 1986-09-26 | Win | Lamkhong Sitwaiwat |
Rangsit Stadium | Rangsit, Thailand | KO | 3 | ||
| 1986-08-08 | Loss | Tantawannoi Sitsilachai |
Rangsit Stadium | Rangsit, Thailand | TKO (Doctor stoppage) | 3 | ||
| 1986-07-04 | Win | Saksit Muangsurin |
Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand | KO | 4 | |||
| Loss | Tantawannoi Sitsilachai |
Thailand | ||||||
| Loss | Tantawannoi Sitsilachai |
Thailand | ||||||
| Loss | Tantawannoi Sitsilachai |
Thailand | ||||||
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
See also
editExternal links
edit- https://archive.today/20130222005631/http://www.muaythaionline.net/features/cobaninterview.html
- http://www.teamcoban.com Archived 2012-02-29 at the Wayback Machine
- https://web.archive.org/web/20110307114853/http://www.siamfightmag.com/interviews/interviews_anglais/coban_lookchaomaesaitong/interview_coban_lookchaomaesaitong.html
- http://lookchaomaesaitong.com/index.php
References
edit- ^ "Team Coban official website". www.teamcoban.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ "Team Coban official website". www.teamcoban.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-29. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ วันทรงชัย OneSongChai S1 Muay Thai (2020). "ทั้งเวทีลุมพินีช็อคตาตั้ง!! โคบาล Vs รามอน ตำนานมวยไทยศึกวันทรงชัย". YouTube (in Thai). Retrieved 2023-06-06.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Coban Siamfightmag interview". www.siamfightmag.com. Archived from the original on 2011-03-07. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ "Coban Muaythai Online interview". www.muaythaionline.org. Retrieved 2011-06-08.
- ^ Black Belt Feb 2000 - The Master Blaster (info on Coban-Manson fight). February 2000. Retrieved 2011-06-08.