Thai rivals all ready to settle brewing domestic showdown

A domestic clash quietly brewing beneath the surface of the Thai boxing scene will finally come to a head in two weeks' time at World Siam Stadium on June 6 when TL Boxing Promotion stages an intriguing all Thai matchup live on Workpoint TV.

Arnon Yupang will face rising prospect Chaiyapong Phongwankittikun, better known around Thai boxing circles as Jackie "Little Yodsanan," the son of former world champion Yodsanan Sityodtong.

The fight has been talked about for some time locally and matches two fighters at very different stages of their careers. Arnon, a former member of the Thai national amateur team, enters with a professional record of 20-5 and considerably more experience. Although several of his defeats came on the road, he has consistently tested himself away from home and captured the WBC Asian Continental super featherweight title in the Philippines in 2023 with a win over Aiman Abu Bakar. The bout will be contested over 10 rounds for the vacant ABF Continental super featherweight title.

Jackie comes in at 12-1, with his only defeat coming against Turkish boxer Ege Konuk in what many considered one of Thailand's best fights of 2025. The southpaw dropped a majority decision after 10 hard rounds in a bout that swung back and forth throughout, earning respect despite the loss. Since then, there has been growing attention around the young Thai prospect as he continues to build his name on the domestic circuit.

The fight will take place at 130 pounds and pits an orthodox boxer against a southpaw in what looks like an interesting stylistic matchup on paper. Arnon is a technical boxer who relies heavily on movement, timing, and his jab, and he will likely look to keep the younger Jackie at range and dictate the pace behind his footwork. Jackie, meanwhile, is known as a pressure fighter who rarely takes a backward step. "Little Yodsanan" has built a reputation for bringing intensity and aggression, and he may look to force Arnon onto the back foot early and turn the contest into a physical fight.

"I think it will be a tactical fight early on, but as the rounds go on, it could turn into a real battle," Arnon said ahead of the contest.

I also asked Jackie whether he feels additional motivation to deliver an entertaining performance knowing Thai fight fans traditionally appreciate aggressive, action-oriented fighters.

"That's the whole point, to entertain people and dominate my opponent," he said.

Thailand has not seen many meaningful all Thai professional matchups in recent years involving two fighters with genuine momentum and contrasting styles. With anticipation quietly building around the bout, I spoke to TL Boxing Promotion head Taweesin Laosuwanwat about why now was the right time to finally make the fight happen.

"This is the kind of matchup hardcore fans immediately react to because the styles suggest action. What made this fight the right one to put together now?" I asked Laosuwanwat.

"As you can see right now, there aren't many all Thai matchups that can really excite fans the way this one does," he said. "People have wanted to see this fight for a long time. Before, Jackie couldn't take it because of injuries and other issues. But maybe Arnon's last two performances made Jackie feel more confident about accepting the fight. He believes he can beat him."

Whether the fight turns into a tactical chess match or the kind of all out battle many expect, it represents a rare and refreshing domestic matchup between two Thai fighters with something to prove. In a boxing scene often built around rebuilding records and overseas opposition, Yupang versus "Little Yodsanan" feels like a genuine test, and that alone makes it worth watching.

Source: https://www.bangkokpost.com/sports/3261603/thai-rivals-all-ready-to-settle-brewing-domestic-showdown