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Pacquiáo [the Filipino traditional boxer]. His matches are always sold out, and even Hollywood stars travel to watch him fight. I hope that Muay Thai also gains such great popularity.
    What were your experiences abroad? What was your first fight with a foreigner like?
    I have enjoyed lots of nice trips. I am proud to see foreigners training in Muay Thai. They learn well and quickly. My first foreign opponent was the Australian Ben Button. The competition was in Hong Kong in the 145-pound weight class. I won with a knockout in the first round after a leg kick and an elbow to the head.
    What is different in fighting Thais versus foreigners?
    Thai fighters have a very good command of the Muay Thai techniques, and they have skills in Mae Mai Muay Thai. Foreigners usually excel with their fist techniques but are less skilled in Muay Thai. They often fight instinctively and mix kickboxing and Muay Thai. For the best possible preparation, they study video clips of our fights. Thai fighters will have to do the same in the future.
    What have you got planned for your future in Muay Thai and in your life?
    I would like to remain active in Muay Thai for as long as possible, and I would also like to learn more about Mae Mai Muay Thai. I will always give my best in training and in competitions. After my career I would like to build up a training camp for children to keep them away from drugs. I hope that one day I’ll be able to open such a gym jointly with a friend. Currently I am building a house in Ubon Ratchathani [in northeast Thailand], where I own a plantation. I enjoy a peaceful environment and a simple life. I plan to have a garden and to live with my wife and my children in Ubon Ratchathani.
    What is important to become a successful fighter?
    You have to be honest with yourself about the requirements of your profession and your own performance. All your energy has to be brought into your career. In training it’s important to perfect your conduct, specifically in defense and counters.
    Would you like to say a few words to your fans and to the readers of this book?
    I would like to thank all my fans. I will keep on intensifying my training for further improvement, and I take much pride in the fact that my fans accompany me and watch my fights. I advise the readers of this book to study it carefully and to learn the techniques of training.
    2. Warm-Up Phase
    In the warm-up phase, you prepare your body for training. To achieve this, you must first warm up your muscles; jogging and skipping rope are recommended for this. You then bandage your hands, stretch your body, and loosen up the joints. Before the training session you can rub on warming massage oil. The warm-up helps you perform and allows you to prepare mentally for your training.
    Saiyok starts with an easy run of six miles in the morning, interspersed with ten sprints of one hundred yards each. In the afternoon he jogs for three miles with five one-hundred-yard sprints in between. He then follows up with twenty to thirty minutes of skipping rope. Kem begins with a run of one to two hours in the morning. In the afternoon he warms up by skipping rope for twenty minutes. Both athletes add some stretching and loosening-up exercises to the warm-up phase. They choose the exercises based on how tense their muscles are.
    Jogging
    You can warm up your muscles with an easy ten- to twenty-minute run. In some Thai gyms the athletes start with an intensive jog of up to ninety minutes. This is possible because the athletes are perfectly trained and their bodies have become used to years of intensive training. If you’re not in such good physical condition, divide the technical training and intensive jogging into two training sessions.

    Skipping Rope
    Skipping rope is also a sensible way to warm up. It’s best to use a heavy plastic rope. This will strengthen your hand, arm, neck, and shoulder muscles. Jump for ten minutes, taking breaks to move your head and swing your arms. As an