It has been training as usual for Nong Rose ahead of her fight with golden era legend Kompayak Singmanee. The unlikely duo are set to battle it out for 2.5 million Baht (US$75,300) at Rajadamnern Stadium on Wednesday.
Nong Rose made her debut at Rajadamnern Stadium as a transgender in June of this year. With Muay Thai Stadiums' strict rules requiring short hair, no shirts worn during competition, and with women not even being allowed to touch the ring, Nong Rose’s appearance was huge in Thailand. The entire Muay Thai world stopped for a moment, and gasped as the lipstick wearing, hair braided, and sports bra donning Nong Rose entered the ring.
Nong Rose had competed at Thailand’s oldest stadium once before – but as a boy. She has identified as being transgendered for as long as she can remember, but didn’t really start to fully embrace her identity until high school.
In her debut, back in June, Nong Rose defeated the gamblers’ favourite Sua Yai Chor. Haapayak via points, taking home a 900,000 Baht (US$27,000) side bet. She fought again at Rajadamnern in July, this time against the stadium stable’s Priewpak Sor Jor Vichitpadriew, also winning on points, albeit just marginally.
So when it came time again for magic matchmaker OneSongchai to summon up a fight worthy of the headlines, he first called Olympic boxing gold medalist and former Muay Thai fighter, Somjit Jomjorhor. He was offered 300,000 Baht (US$9,000) to fight Nong Rose, but the gold medalist wanted more money.
OneSongchai moved on, this time reaching out to notorious hardman, and part time fighter Gong Muangmeen. Gong recently made the headlines by taking on a one-round fight for a five million Baht (US$150,000) side bet at Lumpini Stadium. He also declined the offer. While the money was good, we’re guessing Gong might not have fancied getting beat up by the “Ladyboy with the Mean Knees”.
So now former Lumpini champion Kompayak will take his chances against Nong Rose. Originally the fight was set at 114lbs for Nong Rose and 116lbs for Kompayak, but an agreement has since been reached to allow Kompayak to skip the weigh-ins.
the 48-year-old Kompayak will be making his return to the ring after a 20-year absence while Nong Rose is very much in her prime.
The odds are locked in at 3-2 and on August 2, both teams arrived at Rajadamnern to put deposits on the massive side bets required for the fight. Kompayak’s team has agreed, come fight day, to produce one million Baht (US$30,000), whereas Nong Rose’s team are required to put down 1.5 million Baht (US$45,000).
Kompayak is considered to be more skillful and to have a better fight IQ than his opponent – the overwhelming majority are still favouring the youthfulness of Nong Rose.
