Adul Srisothon (Thai: อดุลย์ ศรีโสธร; May 30, 1940 – February 18, 1976), born Adul Suksamran, was a Muay Thai fighter active in the 1950s and 1960s.[1]
Biography and career
Early years
Born in Chachoengsao province, he and his brother Den started training in Muay Thai under their physical education teacher Mr. Uthai Plaranya at 13 years old. Two years later, under the name Adul Benjamasit, in reference to his school, Benjamarajrangsit located in Chachoengsao, he would start fighting professionally.[2] For his first fight, a knockout win in a makeshift ring in Bang Pakong, he was given 12 Thai baht.[3]
Career
Later in 1955, he started fighting at Rajadamnern Stadium after having built up his reputation in his home province. Adul fought for the Srisothon promotion and by the end of the year, his promoter Boonsong Kiatklasuan took him in and made him the first fighter of the new Srisothon gym, followed by his brother Den.[2]
By 1958, Adul had become one of the most popular fighters in the circuit. He won a title in the 112 lbs category, held at Lumpinee Stadium and was awarded a diamond-embedded brooch in the shape of a crown, giving him his nickname "the Diamond Crown Champion."[2]
In November 1961, Adul main evented a show in presence of His Majesty Bhumibol Adulyadej, at Rajadamnern Stadium promoted by Thiamboon Ithianuchit. Adul lost to Yontharakit Gym ace Namsak Yontharakit, and in the co-main event, Kiewwan Yontharakit defeated South Korea's Se Chul Kang for the WelterweightOPBF title. After the fights, Namsak and Kiewwan were personally awarded the first King's Cups by the King himself in the ring, for excellence in Muay Thai and Western Boxing respectively.[4]
In 1962, he had an exhibition match against a 200-lb Indian wrestler. Adul opened with leg kicks and won by knockout with a single punch within 2 minutes, an event which made international news. The legitimacy of the match was brought into question due to the speed at which the wrestler was dispatched.[5]
At the end of 1962, after having cleared out his division and with the hardest competition, Dejrit Ithianuchit and Apidej Sit-Hirun having moved up to Welterweight, Adul went into boxing full-time. He won the Lightweight boxing title of Lumpinee Stadium against Danchai Ploenjit and the Lightweight boxing title of Rajadamnern Stadium against Somkiat Kiatmuangyom. Adul fought twice for the OPBFSuper Lightweight against Bert Somodio but lost both times. His time in boxing proved ultimately unsuccessful, so he returned to Muay Thai in 1964 where he would also take a steep decline, retiring just four years later.[2][3]
For a short time, he was a camp junior of Prayut Udomsak and a camp senior of his brother Den Srisothon, who was also a three-time Rajadamnern Stadium Champion.[6]
Adul retired in 1968 at the age of 28 years old after a series of losses. He went on to become a Police Lieutenant Colonel.[2]
Just after a devastating January for the Muay Thai world where famous fighters Pon Prapradaeng, Ponchai Sor.Tawan, and Tawan Wongthewet passed away, on February 18, 1978, Adul was caught up in a car accident while patrolling the Asian Highway. He and three others were killed in the crash.[3]
