Thanongsak Simsri prepares to make the first defense of his IBF junior flyweight title on April 13 against Sergio Mendoza, with a journey shaped by responsibility beyond the ring.
The 108-pound champion, rated No. 3 by The Ring, comes from a farming family in Si Sa Ket, Thailand, where income from rice farming was not enough to support five siblings. Simsri turned to Muay Thai at 14 to help financially, compiling roughly 40 fights before switching to professional boxing at 18.
“I liked combat sports because it could earn me money to support my family. Then I switched to western boxing when I was 18, and that was the beginning of my first experience in that discipline. Boxing is what I love, and it's my duty to take care of my whole family. Therefore, in every fight, it's about making my family and loved ones happy, so I have to do my best in every fight.”
After moving to Bangkok to pursue his career, Simsri began working with trainer Poom Kosonset and has since built a 39-1 (34 KOs) record. Much of his earnings have gone back to his family, particularly as they worked to pay off agricultural debt and deal with his father’s illness.
“Previously, my family was indebted to the government for agricultural purposes, and my parents had to work hard to pay off the government debt. I took up boxing to help my family pay off the government debt, and I want to lift them out of poverty.”
Despite becoming a world champion, Simsri says financial stability remains a challenge and hopes to do more for his family, including supporting his younger sisters’ education.
“I hoped that becoming a world champion will allow him to earn more money to support my family. However, I don't make enough money because boxing isn't popular in Thailand right now.”
Looking ahead, Simsri aims to unify titles and raise the sport’s profile in his country.
“What I hope for next is to unify with the champions from various organizations in order to revive the interest in professional boxing in Thailand once again. That might be the way for me to earn more money to support my family and lift them out of poverty.”
Image Credit: The Ring