Old fight videos are quite special. To diehards, it’s a nostalgic journey back in time. To the new gen, an opportunity to learn about fighters of yore. More often than not, it leaves them somber. Clips of Filipino legend Rolando Navarrete’s 1981 title clash against Cornelius Boza-Edwards went viral a few days ago. Later, many discovered how, following his retirement, Navarrete fell into hard times and now earns a living selling fish in his hometown. So, joining the queue, an Instagram post has surfaced about a former world champion in similar circumstances.

The boxing world may have forgotten Ratanapol Sor Vorapin. But thanks to a unique collaboration that saw Conor McGregor dropping a line, many would turn the pages of one of boxing’s least known chapters. The Thai boxing pioneer dazzled the ring back in the early 1990s. But the vagaries of time eventually took a toll. After retiring from boxing in 2009, debt forced Sor Vorapin to find a livelihood, and he now sells noodles in his hometown. However, the former champion doesn’t seem to have forgotten his moves. Footage of Sor Vorapin showcasing his famous straight left awed many followers. And as it appears, its noise echoed in faraway Ireland, where one of its most famous residents immediately took notice.

A few words from Conor McGregor for a forgotten legend

Conor McGregor reflected on Ratanapol Sor Vorapin’s journey through an Instagram Story. Featuring a video of Ratanapol Sor Vorapin throwing punches that visibly impressed a few fans who were taking videos, the former UFC champion noted in the captions, “There is peace in the simple things.”

One can understand McGregor sharing the post on Sor Vorapin. He’s a fighter who has dipped his hands in the ring as well. The story was linked to the Muay Thai Authority‘s IG post. It was put up to share Sor Vorapin’s story with more people and help him promote his noodle business in the Tang Hua Seng area, near Khao San Road. “Despite trading gloves for ladles, Rattanapol hasn’t lost his edge,” it read with a quote from Vorapin: “I don’t forget boxing.”

Video of Sor Vorapin selling noodles seems to have gone quite viral. Boxing fans and the Muay Thai community came out in droves to support him. People often visit not just for food, but to meet the legend, take photos, and record videos.

The story might have surprised even some diehard boxing fans. But for a few, hardly anyone knew Ratanapol Sor Vorapin’s name.

Ratanapol Sor Vorapin: A champion inside and outside the ring

Now 51, at his peak, the Ratchasima, Thailand-born boxer once dominated headlines alongside a slew of fighters who defined Thai boxing’s golden age. Joining the ranks after legend Khaosai Galaxy, whose name became a part of his moniker, Sor Vorapin was one of the nation’s biggest boxing draws and perhaps laid the blueprint for future champions like Chatchai Sasakul and Srisaket Sor Rungvisai.

Making his professional debut in 1990, Ratanapol Sor Vorapin became IBF minimumweight champion in 1992. He defended his belt for a record 11 times. He claimed it again in 1996 and defended it during the next six bouts.

However, things started going downhill after the loss to South African Zolani Petelo and later when his campaigns in the US to claim light flyweight titles faltered. Though he claimed the Pan Asian championship later, Ratanapol Sor Vorapin could never become a world champion. He retired after suffering his eighth professional loss to Rey Migreno in 2007.

But even outside the ring, the former champion’s troubles were far from over. Reportedly bogged down by debts, Sor Vorapin started selling noodles and DVDs on Bangkok streets along with his wife. A few other accounts mentioned mental challenges as well.

Thanks to social media posts, one can hope the boxing world doesn’t forget Ratanapol Sor Vorapin, who, despite not being widely known, played a key role in popularizing the sport in his country.

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