Last week wasn’t kind to #4 ranked ONE bantamweight Muay Thai contender Saemapetch Fairtex. He fell to a knockout defeat at the hands of top-ranked contender Nico Carrillo. The matchup, which served as the co-main at Lumpinee Stadium on July 5th, halted Saemapetch’s climb up the rankings.

Instead of dwelling on his loss and succumbing to negative thoughts, Saemapetch used his recovery time to teach the younger generation, giving them a taste of martial arts.

Saemapetch Fairtex as a coach

It may sound unusual, but it’s true. The 29-year-old Saemapetch Fairtex was recently seen coaching in a reel uploaded to his Instagram account. In the video, he is shown instructing kids on punching and using knees on the pads. The reel was captioned, “After the fight was finished, I came to teach the children.”

Saemapetch Fairtex’s resilience is a testament to his tough upbringing. Marked by poverty, he and his parents collected water bottles and plastic to make ends meet. However, his life changed when the city’s mayor recognized Saemapetch’s potential and introduced him to Muay Thai. Now, inspired by his own journey, Saemapetch dedicates himself to guiding children, just as he was guided in his youth.

Saemapetch Fairtex’s story of overcoming adversity, however, doesn’t end there. Before finding guidance from the mayor and rising to Muay Thai stardom, he faced numerous setbacks that we’ll delve deeper into in the article.

Saemapetch’s early life struggles

Hailing from Chiang Rai in northern Thailand, Saemapetch Fairtex’s early life was marked by hardship. His family’s lack of farmland forced them into a hand-to-mouth existence, often struggling to find work. In a candid interview with ONE Championship, the Thai star recounted the challenges of his childhood, “Sometimes we literally had nothing. Other days it was just rice mixed with fish sauce and chili flakes.“

His life continued with similar hardships as they lived in their grandmother’s house, sleeping and eating on the floor, enduring Thailand’s heat during the day and mosquitoes at night. However, he found a way to escape poverty through Muay Thai. Yet, it also posed a challenge, as it didn’t guarantee financial security. 

Moreover, Saemapetch’s unwavering spirit refused to be broken. His relentless hard work ultimately paid off, leading him to phenomenal success both within and outside the ONE Championship ring. Expressing his gratitude for Muay Thai, Saemapetch declared, “Muay Thai builds people. It provides social mobility and a path out of poverty.”

Now, looking forward to another opportunity to prove himself, the Thai star will soon be back in the circle. Stay tuned for further updates.