Misconceptions About Sparring in Thailand
There are numerous misconceptions about training in Thailand. A persistent one is the belief that Thais never spar hard. While it’s true they rarely go hard in Muay Thai sparring, this is primarily to avoid injury; an injury could mean missing a fight, which means no income. Retired or less-active fighters may spar harder occasionally, especially when they encounter overly aggressive partners—it’s a way to teach respect for control.
When Do Thais Spar Hard?
In many Thai gyms, boxing sparring (not Muay Thai) can be a bit harder. But even here, there are unwritten rules. In most Western gyms, hard sparring sometimes involves body-shot knockouts, and, in some cases, fighters even knock each other out. If that’s happening regularly, you might want to consider a different gym. In Thailand, I’ve rarely seen anyone get dropped with a body shot in serious gyms (not tourist-oriented ones). Experienced fighters recognize when a shot could be a KO, and both the giver and receiver know this—there’s no need to follow through just to prove a point.
This difference in approach reflects a deeper understanding of sparring. Sparring should be playful, with the intensity occasionally raised for specific goals—like preparing for a strong puncher. Even then, the purpose isn’t to knock someone out but to teach them how to handle pressure. Imagine getting knocked out in every sparring session for two months straight just to fight one heavy puncher. Confidence would be shattered long before stepping into the ring.
Outdated Training? Think Again
Some argue that Thai training methods are outdated—especially regarding strength and conditioning or weight cutting. There’s some truth there, but in terms of sparring, Westerners often have it completely backward. Here, Thailand is far ahead.
Wins, Losses, and Record-Keeping in Thai Boxing
A very Western attitude toward fighting focuses on wins, losses, and records. In Thailand, most fighters don’t even know their exact records. Fighters track both sanctioned fights (official matches in major stadiums) and their total fights, which include local matches. Superlek, for instance, is often listed as having 171 fights in stadiums and ONE Championship events, but in reality, he has around 500 fights.
Local fights are often unsanctioned, with minimal regulations—no doctor check, and fighters sometimes compete the day after a KO. These bouts are primarily about “strengthening your bones.” Before the pandemic, gyms used to send fighters to local events for experience before entering the Bangkok scene. At my old gym, for instance, the head coach required at least 25 fights before even considering a smaller show in Bangkok. Now, things have changed, with fighters debuting at venues like Rajadamnern, which was once a measure of high skill but has increasingly become a tourist attraction.
Learning Through Experience, Not Records
At my gym, the trainers treat small shows in Bangkok like local fights: it’s about gaining experience, not the result. They focus on whether you improve and fight with heart. In Thailand, they’ll say, “You can fix everything but not a small heart.”
Mister 9-0 Has to Go
This is how you should approach a fight career in Thailand. A fighter with a 9-0 record may have just had easy matches set up by promoters. In Thailand, trainers laugh at fighters who boast of nine fights—they call them “babies.” Real experience only comes with time and challenges. Ultimately, what matters isn’t how you fare against low-level opponents but how much experience you gain before reaching top promotions. Once rankings and belts are in sight, easy matches disappear, and you’ll be thankful for the hard-won lessons.
So, don’t be Nemo with a big ego in a tank full of sharks. It won’t end well.
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Training and Fighting in Thailand
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Until next time.
Alex
