Lumpinee Boxing Stadium


Lumpinee Boxing Stadium is a sporting arena in Bangkok, Thailand. Opened more than a decade later than Rajadamnern Stadium, Lumpinee is run by the Royal Thai Army. It has become the symbol of modern muay Thai. Only Rajadamnern Stadium rivals the prestige of holding the title of "Muay Thai Champion of Lumpinee". The ranking system and championship titles are held from mini flyweight up to super welterweight.
Muay Thai bouts are held on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The fights usually start around 18:00.
The final event at its original site on Rama IV Road near Lumphini Park was held on 8 February 2014. The stadium then moved to its new home on Ram Intra Road which can hold up to 5,000 spectators. The new stadium held the first fight on 11 February 2014 and was officially opened on 28 February 2014.

History

General Praphas Charusathien was the driving force behind the construction of the Lumpinee Stadium, the second national stadium built in Thailand after Rajadamnern. Lumpinee opened its doors on 8 December 1956. The stadium is operated the Army Welfare Department of the Royal Thai Army. All proceeds from the fights go towards supporting the various departments of the Thai Army. The board of directors, headed by Army Commander Apirat Kongsompong, consists entirely of army officers.
Eleven promoters are responsible for booking boxers to fight at the stadium. The rules are the same as at Rajadamnern: boxers must weigh more than 100 lb, older than 15 years, with a weight difference between boxers of not more than a. Women are not allowed to fight in the stadium or enter the ring.
One of the most famous Lumpinee champions was Dieselnoi Chor Thanasukarn who reigned without defeat in the early-1980s, holding the Lightweight title for four years. He was eventually forced to retire because he ran out of opponents.

COVID-19 Outbreak

Lumpinee Stadium was implicated in a cluster of COVID-19 cases during the coronavirus pandemic in Thailand in 2020. Boxing matches were held on 6 March 2020 in spite of a government shutdown order issued on 3 March. Among those later stricken by COVID-19 was the chief of the Army Welfare Department, who had been at the stadium.

Notable champions

As of February 2020.
Weight ClassChampion
Mini FlyweightPon Paranchai
Light FlyweightRak Erawan
FlyweightSameuantep Por.Phetsiri
Super FlyweightChanalert Meenayothin
BantamweightKomphet Sitsarawatser
Super BantamweightVacant
FeatherweightVacant
Super FeatherweightSongkom Bangkokalaiyont
LightweightNuathoranee Samchaivisetsuk
Super LightweightVacant
WelterweightRafi Bohic
Super WelterweightCapitan Petchyindee Academy
MiddleweightDenkaosaen Tor.Pirapath
Super MiddleweightKompikat Sor.Tawanrung