Kanthapat Pipatpunlertcha (Thai: กันธพัชร์ พิพัฒน์พูลเดชา; born August 29, 1967), known professionally as Yodpetch Sor.Jitpattana (Thai: ยอดเพชร ส.จิตรพัฒนา), is a Thai former professional Muay Thai fighter. He is a former Lumpinee Stadium Bantamweight Champion who was active during the 1980s and 1990s.[1]
Biography and career
Saichon Somnet, who would later change his name to Kanthapat Pipatpunlertcha, was born in the village of Na Ngua in Mueang Phetchabun, Phetchabun, Thailand on August 29, 1967. He began training in Muay Thai at 7 years old under the guidance of his uncle.[2]
Out of desperation to pay off debts to borrowers caused by his gambling addiction, he’d attempt to rig his fight with Kraikangwan but would be boo’d by the crowd early on and dismissed by the ref in the fourth round. He was forced to retire and continued to gamble, drink, and do drugs. He’d support himself and his family through odd jobs, including hired assault and robbery. Due to a disagreement with a borrower, he’d attempt to rob his house with two other men but was arrested and sentenced to fourteen years in prison.[5]
He’d spend two years at Ratchaburi Central Prison before being moved to Ayutthaya Central Prison where he’d spend another four years and six months before being released in 1999. He’d return to work at the Petchyindee gym but run into an old friend on his first day who gave him drugs to sell. He’d use and sell drugs again for a year before finding a new source for party drugs which he’d sell at night in Ratchada. After being caught in a sting operation, he imprisoned for drug possession with intent to sell. His boxing experience would earn him a spot at Klong Prem Central Prison where he’d become the head trainer as well as an assistant prison office.[6]
After seven years and six months in prison, he was released and began selling meth until he was caught again in a sting operation eight months later. He was sentenced to twenty-eight years and nine months in prison in 2011. He'd spend his sentence at Klong Prem Central Prison working as a trainer, as well as fighting against Karuhat in a vintage match, before tighter restrictions closed down his gym. He'd join the largest gang in his prison as an enforcer. He would be released early in 2021 after serving ten years and two months in prison. He'd begin to teach Muay Thai at the Nakhon Phanom Sports School and nowadays works as a trainer at the YOKKAO Training Center.
