On the 8th of May 1987, an eagerly-anticipated and much-hyped boxing match took place in Sydney, Australia.

The bout was for the WBC Super-Bantamweight title between the local fighter Jeff Fenech and the reigning champion Samart Payakarun (often spelled ‘Payakaroon’) from Thailand.

While Fenech was already a sporting hero in Australia – having come close to an Olympic medal in Los Angeles before turning pro and winning the IBF Bantamweight title a year later – his Thai opponent was highly regarded and most pundits had the Aussie as an underdog, despite the fight taking place in his hometown.

The fact that the event was held in Sydney and not Bangkok would indicate that somehow the Australian promoters were able to scrap together enough money to lure the Thai champion to fight outside of his own country. This is where the story became outrageous, because as soon as Payakarun was paid, he and his entire team placed a ‘double-or-nothing’ bet on him winning the fight. Not only that, but to appease the disappointed crowd come fight night, the Thai boxer was prepared to put on a Muay Thai kickboxing show following his victory – presumably after a defeated Fenech was stretchered out of the ring.

Samart Payakarun certainly did come into the fight with a reputation that preceded him, for he was the biggest star in Thai martial arts before turning to professional boxing. Since making the switch, his most impressive performance was a fifth round knockout of Mexican champion Lupe Pintor in a chaotic Bangkok stadium, claiming the WBC Super-Bantamweight title.

I remember there being reports at the time that Payakarun had been given the ‘Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year’ award – perhaps as a ploy by the promoters and local media to build-up the fight – but this was incorrect. Instead, the Thai had been awarded a far lesser accolade; something along the lines of an ’emerging talent’ recognition, following his upset win over Pintor. Either way, Payakarun had successfully defended his title twice and had been champion for over a year, so he meant business when he came to Sydney.

There was a large (and vocal) Thai contingent at the fight, and once Payakarun entered the ring he hardly took his eyes off Fenech, and this was clear when the two boxers received their final instructions from the referee.

The fight started with Fenech as the aggressor, with the Thai cleverly using his speed and reach advantage to keep out of trouble. Nearing the end of the first round, the Australian walked into a straight right from Payakarun and suffered a flash knockdown – but this would prove to be the champion’s only highlight of the bout.

From the second round onward it was all Jeff Fenech, as Payakarun struggled to keep a comfortable fighting distance, and slowly but surely ‘The Marrickville Mauler’ began to wear his opponent down.

To give credit to Payakarun – he came to fight and stood right in front of Fenech the entire time – but this would prove to be his undoing. After copping a great amount of punishment in the second and third rounds, the Thai would ultimately collapse into unconsciousness late in the fourth, handing Fenech his second world title.

There were stories after the fight claiming that a humiliated Payakarun returned to Thailand and became a monk. If this was true, then it did not happen immediately after losing to Fenech as the rumours suggested, for the Thai boxer returned to the ring two more times – winning both fights by knockout – before ‘retiring’ in early 1988.

Payakarun made a comeback five years later, culminating in a title fight for the WBA Featherweight belt where he was stopped in the eighth round. Following this, Samart Payakarun changed career paths entirely and became a successful singer and actor in Thailand.

To end the story on a friendlier note, the above photo was taken in 2013 when Fenech and Payakarun came face-to-face again – but on this occasion the Thai master was in Australia promoting a kickboxing event.

I should also point out that the legendary Gus Mercurio (facing the camera) was part of the Seven Sports commentary team – and was a brilliant boxing pundit – not to mention the father of Paul Mercurio from ‘Strictly Ballroom’ fame.

Jeff Fenech vs Samart Payakarun can be watched on YouTube, and there is a link below to the full fight – courtesy of Rewind YouTube channel.

Note: The fight starts at around 25 minutes into the video.

Photos courtesy of Seven Sport, Fox Sports and Rewind YouTube Channel.