Chisaken Ariphipat lived a blessed life with financial security and then boxing came along, writes Oliver Fennell
OFTEN – and especially in the developing world – who struggle to do so because they have very few other options.
However, Chisakan Ariphipat has more options than most – all of them are more lucrative than boxing (so far anyway). She was raised firmly in the middle class in Thailand, a country where class divisions are distinct and ensure those born on the more fortunate side live comfortably, and where punches eat sticky rice. is a goal pursued almost exclusively by the working class.
Over the course of two decades, her family built the P. Guest House and Country Resort, a vast lakeside hotel and restaurant in Sangkhla Buri, a verdant peaceful enclave in Thailand’s picturesque west. Lan. It was a successful venture and it paid Chisakan to attend private schools, to study abroad, to gain fluency in English, and eventually to enter Thailand’s leading institute of higher education. Lan, Mahidol University in Bangkok, where she read books on hospitality – the idea that she would eventually take over the resort.
Everything went according to plan – until Chisakan discovered boxing.
“There was a group of students who practiced boxing, just as an after-school activity,” she said. “We will also spend time together, not only boxing, but also having fun.
“I never even thought of fighting, but one day Peter [Denman, then her fellow student and now her pro boxing coach and manager] said he had heard about a charity boxing event that raised money for stray dogs. That [helping stray dogs] is something that was close to my heart, so I thought I would give it a try. I didn’t really apply myself; it’s just to have fun and do something for charity. The commitment came after that.”
Chisakan lost her 2018 charity fight, but this “just for fun” experiment will have a devastating effect on her family and a career they’ve invested decades of time and money in. – for this hospitable heiress found what she now claims is her true vocation: fighting for a living.
“I love boxing,” she said. “I kept training and had a second fight. I won that one. I entered more amateur matches and started better, and my goals increased. I graduated [in 2020] and I had to choose between going back to the resort or playing boxing.”
For most people, the choice between being handed a lucrative existing business or getting punched in the face – especially underpaying for small promotions – won’t be a difficult one. And not for Chisakan: boxing is an easy winner. She turned down the resort’s keys and applied for a professional boxing license, which debuted in September 2020.
“My parents were against it, not only because they wanted me to run the resort, but also because I was a woman, they thought I shouldn’t be in the ring and risk my appearance,” she said. “I had to fight stereotypes, not only as a woman but when I just graduated, people couldn’t understand why I did it. They think people are only fighting because they have to, not because they want to.”
A deadlock ensued. Chisakan’s parents would disapprove of her decision under any circumstances and give her an ultimatum: if she pursues her boxing dream, they will sell the resort, which means she won’t have it to backup if her ring mining fails and they will no longer support. her finances.
She didn’t flinch at all. They don’t either. P. Guest House and Country Resort is now in new hands, and Chisakan’s parents retired after selling it. But in standing firm, Chisakan won the respect of his parents, if not their support.
“Now they understand that I love it,” said the 25-year-old. “I am doing it my own way. I downgraded to a cheaper apartment and spent months honing [without their money] with a part-time job [as a veganism advocate for an NGO]. It’s pocket money but it’s part-time because I work out five to seven hours a day.”
Grinding is an integral part of the boxer’s experience, no matter what their background, because there are no shortcuts in this business – and that’s exactly how Chisakan wants it.
“Yes, the resort is beautiful, and it worked, but I would get bored,” she said. “I don’t want to live a life without goals.”
And what is her goal?
“To be one of the best boxers, balance the pounds.”
A lofty ambition, yes, but at least pointing in the right direction. Chisakan achieved a professional boxing record of 16-1-1 (5), after amateur fights of “10 or 15”, and was bolstered by further experience in the muay Thai world (where she reached the 8-1), kickboxing (3 -0), naked boxing (2-0) and even winning leth wei, a Burmese martial art best described as “muay Thai plus headbutts”.
The image of Chisakan, an elegant, slim super fly, trading kicks, elbows, knees, butts, and unloved fists is even more absurd than the thought of her fighting along Queensberry Law, but her and Peter Denman – her old classmate and now a coach. and the manager – say it’s a means to an end.
“We want to have one game a month,” says Denman. “The big promoters in Thailand are not interested in women’s boxing, so we will fight other sports if needed. We want to build experience and exposure. The ultimate goal is to get signed by Matchroom. Tell Eddie Hearn we’ll even fight for free! “
However, that doesn’t mean they will just join any wars.
“It’s not about the money,” says Denman, who has made a decent income for himself pursuing his own passion for boxing, despite being on the other side of the line. The Thai-British boy, since graduating from Mahidol University, has built a solid acting career, but now he is completely immersed in steering Chisakan to boxing glory. .
“I turned down a lead role in China because we are focusing on boxing right now and I turned down big offers. [for Chisakan] to box overseas after what happened in [South] Korea. We are not looking for paydays and to be a journey woman we want matches that will continue to advance her career.”
What happened in Korea was that Chisakan challenged Hee Jung-yuh to an international title at Gimhae last November. She cleared up the difference in experience, coming in as an eight-match pro against a world-ranked, 15-year veteran, beating Hee in the span of time but ultimately falling short. the point.
Chisakan and Denman are heartbroken by the decision but don’t want to accept any perceived injustice, as there are so many positives even so.
She said, “My confidence skyrocketed after Korea. “I realized, oh, I’m at that level – I can beat someone world class.
“On the flight back, we talked about the future and I said to Peter, ‘let’s go for it, reach the top – whatever it takes’.”
It took away a potential career, and Chisakan couldn’t replace it with sporting wealth.
“We make very little money,” said Denman, who also coached and managed the men’s 15-0 lightweight division Watcharin Saebe.
“Actually, we are paying more than we make. But it’s all about building for the future.
“I won’t even say [the financial outlay] is an investment – boxing is the reward. “
Chisakan concurs: “I love and respect boxing. Money can’t buy this.”
