- Source: Pairot Wor.Walapon
Pairot Maithong (Thai: ไพโรจน์ ไหมทอง; born October 22, 1973), known professionally as Pairot Wor.Walapon (Thai: ไพโรจน์ ว.วราพล), is a retired Thai Muay Thai fighter. He is a former Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight Champion who was famous in the 1990s. Nicknamed "Asura Left", he was especially known for his powerful southpaw kicking style.
Biography and career
Born as Pairot Maithong on October 22, 1973 in Sikhoraphum district, Surin province. He was the fourth child among the six children of Sompong and Prasong Maithong, who had a career as a trader. He fought for the first time at the age of 12 following his older brother named Pichai Wor.Walapon for only 50 baht. Pairot made his debut in Bangkok in 1988 after which he quickly became popular. He quit the sport for over a year in 1990 due to the toll it was taking on his body. He made his comeback in 1992 and by the next year he became a household name on the circuit.
Pairot had battled with many of the top Muay Thai kickboxers of the era, such as Mathee Jadeepitak, Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth, Pichit Sitbangprachan, Sangtiennoi Sor.Rungroj, Orono Por Muang Ubon, Therdkiat Sitthepitak, Sakmongkol Sithchuchok, Cherry Sor Wanich, Jongsanan Fairtex.
Training at the Kiatsingnoi camp (AKA the Wor.Walapon camp) in Bangkok,: 1:26:23–1:28:21 Pairot was a southpaw Muay Tae fighter (Muay Thai fighter who focuses on kicks). He had an opportunistic kicking style which he used to counterstrike his opponents, particularly with powerful kicks to the ribs or arms and minimized openings for his opponents to exploit. He was nicknamed "Asura Left" as he was known as one of the best Muay Tae fighters of the 1990s. 1992 was the best year of his career as he had won 5 fights against fighters including Orono Por.MuangUbon, Nuathoranee Thongracha, and Cherry Sor.Wanich and incurred only 2 losses.
In 1996 he would win the Beer Chang tournament final against Sakmongkol Sitchuchok. The bout was subsequently awarded the Fight of the Year award by Sports Writers Association of Thailand. Pairot would be ordained as a monk after the victory. In 2005 Pairot had returned to Muay Thai competition to compete in Onesongchai's S1 World Championship that was held on the Queen of Thailand's birthday. Pairot progressed to the final to compete against the English Steve Wakeling and was knocked out by a knee strike to the head.
After retiring from competition, Pairot became a trainer in various camps in Thailand such as Tiger Muay Thai along his son Samson but also abroad in China and Hong Kong.
Titles and honours
Lumpinee Stadium
1994 Lumpinee Stadium Lightweight (135 lbs) Champion
Beer Chang
1996 Beer Chang Light Welterweight (140 lbs) Tournament Winner
International Muay Thai Council
1997 IMTC Light Welterweight (140 lbs) Champion
Onesongchai
2005 S-1 World Championship Tournament runner-up
Sports Writers Association of Thailand
1996 Fight of the Year (vs Sakmongkol Sithchuchok for the Beer Chang tournament final)
