Quick Facts
Biography
Chamroen Songkitrat (Thai: จำเริญ ทรงกิตรัตน์), born as Samroeng Srimadi, was a former Thai boxer and policeman. Songkitrat was a champion Muay Thai fighter in Thailand with over 50 fights before becoming an orthodox boxer. He challenged the World Champion three times.
Career
On December 30, 1949, Songkitrat debuted against Mok Kai Khoon in the Happy World Arena, Singapore.
The first time he challenged the World Champion was against Australian Jimmy Carruthers on May 2, 1954, at the Charusathian Stadium. More than 60,000 spectators, including King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit of Thailand attended the event, and he was supported by the Royal Thai Police Department. As the stadium was open roofed, and it was monsoon season and raining, both competitors fought barefoot, dodging light globes as they exploded from gusts of wind. This is the first recorded match in modern world boxing history where boxers removed their boots.
On September 19, 1954, Songkitrat challenged World Champion Robert Cohen at the Nimibutr Stadium, National Stadium. His nose was broken during the seventh round, but he fought on, only to lose through points after 15 rounds.
On March 9, 1955, he fought Raúl Macías at Cow Palace, in California, and lost.
After retiring from boxing, he continued to work as a police officer. Upon quitting the force, Songkitrat spent time working in France before returning to Bangkok. He opened a business in Chiang Mai, but after becoming paralyzed he returned to Bangkok. He died there on August 29, 2003, at the age of 74.