Beaten the best and never lost: a Swiss teaches the Thai professionals to fear

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38 fights, 38 wins. The record of Zurich Thai boxer Dani Rodriguez (24) is impeccable. And that despite the fact that he is one of the few foreigners who can compete with the elite in Thailand. In Europe, the Swiss with Dominican roots has almost no opponents left.

And so he ended up in Thailand. “The whole country lives off the sport,” says Rodriguez. Although hardly anyone knows him at home, he is a superstar there. “People recognize me here. I am often approached on the street, in restaurants or in taxis.”

Fight in the mecca of the sport

The 2021 European super welterweight champion (up to 70 kg) is currently fighting in the Rajadamnern World Series (RWS). A newly established tournament whose matches will be held at the legendary Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok, the oldest Thai boxing arena in the country. There is hardly a greater honor for a fighter than to step into the ring here. When Rodriguez made his debut in 2019, he was “extremely nervous”. He still won. By knockout in the first round.

The nervousness is now gone. “I feel at home here.” His best moments so far: He twice defeated Yodwicha Porboonsit (27), a superstar who has now completed 245 fights (186 victories) and belongs to the absolute world elite. The two victories made him number 1 in the WBC world rankings and champion of the RWS.

Brought by a friend

Rodriguez was still a long way from such success at the age of 14 when a friend first took him to a Thai boxing training at the Dado Gym in Zurich-Altstetten. But his longtime trainer and mentor, Leonardo “Dado” Irmici, recognized the potential early on: “I noticed him on day one. When I saw his moves, I thought, ‘Wow, this is going to be good!’.”

And he got good. At the age of 16, Rodriguez knew he wanted to bet on Thai boxing. After his internship as a specialist in business maintenance, he went to Thailand for the first time.

And that’s where he settled. It is difficult for his loved ones in Switzerland: “I will not spend much time in Switzerland in the coming years. It is especially difficult for my family. We used to be together every day, now we see each other maybe twice a year.”

With the successes in Thailand comes the money. “In Switzerland we fought almost for free for eight years, now he can live well,” said coach Irmici proudly.

Back as defending champion

On Saturday, Dani Rodriguez will face Thananchai Rachanon (22). He returns to Rajadamnern Stadium as the defending champion. For the first time he is the hunted, the fighter to be defeated.

The goal: to remain undefeated. “My goal is to keep the sport undefeated – no one has done that before.” A historic brand. She is very capable for the Swiss, who teach the Thais to fear in their national sport.

Source : Blick