Sahasombhop Srisomvongse

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Sahasombhop Srisomvongse, nicknamed "Big Ung," was a Thai boxing promoter and manager. He was born on March 31, 1939, in Pathum Wan, Bangkok, into a Thai-Chinese family. He studied at Vajiravudh College and earned a law degree from Thammasat University.

In 1967, he helped found Channel 7 and was part of the team that submitted the station’s application. He began in combat sports as an assistant to promoter Tiamboon “The Great Eagle” Inthrarabutr, helping to organize Muay Thai events on Channel 7 in the early 1970s. He also ran his own boxing gym, “Sor Chitalada,” in Rama IV Road, Bangkok.

In the early 1980s, he became the World Boxing Council’s (WBC) official agent in Thailand. He founded the Asian Boxing Council (ABCO) and was elected its first president in 1985. He helped many Thai boxers become WBC world champions, starting with Payao Poontarat, who won the title in 1983.

Srisomvongse co-managed numerous Thai champions, including Sot Chitalada, Samart Payakaroon, Napa Kiatwanchai, Muangchai Kittikasem, Saman Sorjaturong, Sirimongkol Singwangcha, Chatchai Sasakul, Wandee Singwangcha, Veeraphol Sahaprom, and Medgoen Singsurat. He also mentored fighters who challenged for world titles or earned regional titles, such as Rocky Chitalada, Mai Thomburifarm, Asawin Sordusit, Saming Kiatpetch, Torsak Pongsupa, and Pone Saengmorakot. Many of his boxers trained with English trainer Charles Atkinson.

In 1995, during the Humberto González vs. Saman Sorjaturong fight in California, Srisomvongse urged the referee to allow an extra round after Sorjaturong had been hurt; Sorjaturong went on to win by TKO in the seventh round, a moment remembered in boxing history.

He was known for a Channel 7 boxing program, airing monthly on Wednesdays, titled “Suek Daorung TV Si Jed Mung Champion Lok” (Wednesday Star Boxing—World Champion Series). The program began on August 18, 1993, with Takrawlek Dejrath vs. Eric Chavez.

Sahasombhop Srisomvongse died of a heart attack in his sleep on December 28, 2000, in Bangkok at age 61. He was Channel 7’s Special Event Manager at the time. After his death, his promotional and managerial duties were taken over by Pol. Gen. Kovid Bhakdibhumi.