Thai knockout artist Thongpoon PK Saenchai looks to close out 2025 on a high note when he faces former ONE World Title challenger "Fighting Rooster" Zhang Peimian in a strawweight kickboxing clash at ONE Friday Fights 137 on December 19 at Bangkok's Lumpinee Stadium. The 28-year-old fan favorite enters this crucial matchup knowing that victory over such a revered competitor could position him perfectly for a World Title run in 2026, potentially fulfilling dreams that once seemed impossible for a boy who grew up in extreme poverty. But Thongpoon's path to becoming one of ONE Championship's most entertaining fighters wasn't paved with privilege or natural advantages. It was forged through hardship, determination, and an unwillingness to accept the circumstances that defined his difficult childhood in Northeast Thailand.

A Troubled Childhood Shaped By Poverty And Absence

Thongpoon PK Saenchai grew up as the youngest of five children in Maha Sarakham, located in Northeast Thailand's poorest region. While his parents worked as traders in Bangkok trying to earn enough money to support the family, Thongpoon and his siblings lived with their aunt in conditions marked by scarcity and struggle. The separation from his parents defined his childhood in painful ways – throughout his entire youth, he spent only approximately three years total living with his mother and father, missing the parental guidance and emotional support most children receive during their formative years.

The poverty that surrounded Thongpoon affected more than just his material circumstances; it shaped his mentality and behavior in ways that manifested at school. Perhaps due to the instability of his home life and the emotional toll of parental absence, the young boy became what he describes as “hot-blooded" – a troublemaker who frequently skipped classes and engaged in fights with classmates whenever he did attend. Those confrontations rarely ended well for him, as he lacked the skills to defend himself and often found himself beaten up and crying, adding humiliation to his already difficult existence.

When Thongpoon transferred schools, he noticed something that would change his life forever – many of his friends practiced Muay Thai. Watching them train sparked an idea: if he learned to fight properly, he could finally defend himself against the bullies who had tormented him. The motivation wasn't noble or aspirational. Instead, it was simple survival instinct and a desire for revenge against those who had made him feel weak and helpless.

"I was just a troubled kid, always fighting with other students. When I transferred schools, I saw many of my friends practicing Muay Thai. I wanted to try it for exercise and fun, so I asked them to allow me to train there," Thongpoon recalled. "I started when I was 11 years old. I didn't feel nervous or scared at all because this was my intention – I wanted to learn Muay Thai to beat my classmates. I had fought with them before and got beaten. So I learned Muay Thai to get revenge on those mischievous children.”

Finding Purpose Through Fighting

Thongpoon remained dedicated to his training at Aewtamsang Gym, especially when he discovered that competing and winning fights could earn him money – something desperately lacking throughout his childhood. His first coach recognized the young fighter's natural power and helped him develop jaw-dropping knockout ability with his hands, which quickly became his calling card. Those early knockout victories brought more than just satisfaction; they brought purses that allowed him to finally buy the snacks and small luxuries he'd watched other children enjoy while he went without.

As Thongpoon matured and his fight purses gradually increased, his motivation evolved beyond personal gain. He began giving portions of his earnings to his parents, helping put food on the table for the family that had struggled so long to provide for him and his siblings. Fighting transformed from an act of revenge into an act of redemption, serving as a way to lift his family from poverty.

With ambitions growing alongside his skills, Thongpoon made the crucial decision to move to Bangkok and compete on the Thai capital's world-famous stadium circuit against the nation's elite studs and most talented rising stars. However, his aggressive, all-out style that had brought success regionally became a liability among the sport's top athletes who understood the nuances of five-round scoring. The Bangkok faithful ridiculed his approach, calling him a bad fighter who only pressed forward without strategy or intelligence.

"Everyone considered me a bad fighter because I only pressed forward without thinking twice. And my style was not favored by five-round Muay Thai. So, I was not a success in this field. Another reason was that I was still a kid with a hot head. I was still quite impulsive at that time," Thongpoon said. "Because my style is to go all-out from the beginning, I always ran out of gas in rounds four and five. I got criticism from people that I exhausted myself too soon. I felt discouraged at that time. But I am a person who can manage my emotions quickly. I can bounce back to do my duty in no time. Like pressing a reset button.”

The Reset Button: Transforming Criticism Into Championship Success

That reset button mentality changed Thongpoon's career trajectory completely. Rather than abandoning his aggressive nature, he refined his skill set and became more well-rounded, adding technical improvements while maintaining the entertaining style that made him special. He learned to manage his cardio better, to pick his moments more intelligently, and to be strategic without losing the explosive power that had always been his greatest weapon.

Thongpoon joined ONE Friday Fights in March 2023 and announced his arrival with authority, knocking out Tomorrow Kiatsongrit in just 24 seconds. One month later, he stopped Petmongkol Soonkelahuaitom even faster – in only 20 seconds –demonstrating that his power translated perfectly to the ONE Championship platform. Then, in June 2023, he defeated Yangdam Jitmuangnon, a teammate of Thai megastar Rodtang "The Iron Man" Jitmuangnon, to earn the life-changing six-figure contract with ONE Championship that completely altered his financial circumstances and validated every sacrifice he had ever made.

Thongpoon has transformed into a genuine star through his complete package – trademark sunglasses, b-boy dance moves, a signature chest tattoo, all-action fighting style, and immense knockout power that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. He embodies the hip-hop culture he loves, bringing an energy and charisma to the sport that transcends traditional Muay Thai presentation. Now, as he prepares to face Zhang Peimian and capture his 81st career victory at ONE Friday Fights 137, he carries the confidence of someone who refused to let poverty, ridicule, or early failures define his destiny.

"I'm really proud of myself that I was determined and tried until I got to this point," Thongpoon said. "And I vow to push myself harder and continue to improve myself so that everyone can continue to enjoy my performances for a long time."