By Matt Lucas: 2024 was a monumental year for WBC Muay Thai and the global Muay Thai community. The sport reached new heights. There were unforgettable fights, rising stars, and cultural milestones. The WBC Muay Thai celebrated Muay Thai’s tradition and growth. Let’s recap the highlights that made this year extraordinary.
Game-Changing Fights Across the Globe
The year kicked off with an incredible array of world title fights. They showcased the heart and skill of MuayThai athletes.
“If you go to start from the top to bottom, in terms of weight classes, you look at Lyndon Knowles. He recaptured his coveted green and gold world championship. For me it was a personal highlight. Because I was there to witness it,” Kevin Noone, the General Secretary For WBC Muay Thai said.
Knowles walked around Italy with the green and gold strap.
“He’s a great ambassador for Muay Thai and for the WBC Muay Thai,” Noone said.
Along with Knowles’s belt was the viral knockout from Jayden Eynaud. He fights out of Strikeforce and under the guidance of Mark Pease in Australia. Eynaud landed a spinning back elbow in July. He won the WBC Muay Thai Cruiserweight World Title.
“It was a viral spinning back elbow,” Muay Thai journalist Matt Lucas said.
In Australia as well as Charlie Bubb. After years of striving, Bubb finally achieved WBC World Champion status. He showcased the importance of perseverance.
The rise of female champions was another defining theme of 2024. Fighters like Selina Flores, Kim Townsend, and Shannon Gardner dominated the scene.
“It was an incredible year for the females,” Noone said.
The WBC Muay Thai hosted about one world title fight a month this year.
The Amazing Muay Thai World Festival
The highlights of the year were built on activity. One of the big events came early in 2025. Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium hosted the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival. It was a week-long celebration of the sport. The event brought together fighters from over 60 countries.
The event began as a collaboration between WBC Muay Thai and the Tourism Authority Of Thailand (TAT).
“We created the WBC Amateur Muay Thai Program,” Noone said. “We wanted it to be more than just world championships.”
The festival began in Hua Hin. It grew in size in Venice. The European games had over 450 athletes. The recent event in Bangkok hosted over 500 boxers from 60 countries.
Outside of Lumpinee was a village with food, massage, vendors, and more. There were 4 rings of action. Inside the stadium were the finals.
“It was a phenomenal week. We had the village. We had all, it was incredible,” Noone said.
There were amazing bouts in the tournament including :
Erin Carter vs Allegra Vicaks
Fergus Smith vs Christian Rodriguez
Fon Piggot vs Anne Tippalawang
And more
The finals saw action in the iconic stadium itself.
The festival showcased Muay Thai’s cultural roots. It featured traditional food, Muay Boran demonstrations, and a sense of global community.
WBC Muay Thai Regional Growth
The festival set a strong standard for the year. Regionally there were strong developments. In the USA there was the Major League Muay Thai and Warrior’s Cup.
“Chris Tran, James Guccione, and Ed Marini put on their Warriors Cup, doing almost a show every month. It’s quite outstanding when you think about the Muay Thai ecosystem. How strong it is on the East Coast, Upper East Coast, New York, and surrounding areas,” Noone said.
Warrior’s Cup hosted Kim Townsend vs Regan Gowing and Chip Moraza Pollard vs Vinnie Wiktora among other WBC Muay Thai bouts.
In Australia, there was strong development. Outstanding promotions included the Muay Thai League, 1774, Hardcore Promotions, and Muay Thai Superseries.
Hardcore Promotions held the WBC Muay Ying Title 8 Women Eliminator. The prize was $20,000 AUD.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a purse that high in my career as a journalist,” Matt Lucas said. “To be able to have that many Muay Ying fighters at that caliber, all fighting in one night. It is a good show of how far the female athletes have come.”
Youth Development
The youth program developed further. The organization began under Yamane Chisa and Patrick Cusick in Japan in 2014.
One of the prodigies was Nadaka Yoshinari.
“He proves the ecosystem works, the pathway to success,” Noone said. “He was a WBC youth champion, WBC Japanese champion, WBC international champion, WBC world champion.”
This year Yoshinari won the WBC Muay Thai diamond belt.
The youth program continues to push forward.
“We have a huge announcement coming early next year,” Noone said. “We’ll be signing an agreement with a prominent university to promote youth Muay Thai.”
The Amazing Muay Thai Masterclass World Tour
The WBC Muay Thai and the Royal Thai Government joined together. The put on the Amazing Muay Thai Masterclass World Tour. The initiative began in May with Superbon, Phetjeejaa, and Nong O teaching. It was a day of activities.
The tour expanded to Australia, Canada, the USA, France, Italy and Singapore.
“All seven locations this year were packed to the brim. We hosted them in hotel ballrooms, in sporting centers, and in the embassy in Singapore. Next year, we will do 10 locations around the world starting in February in Ho Chi Minh. We will finish in September in Berlin,” Noone said.
The tour included a night of fights in Verona Italy. It was a packed house for the 7 bouts with 7 titles on the line.
Green And Gold In 2025
There is more in store for 2025. Launching in London and Sydney is the Amazing Muay Thai Fight League. Athletes clash for a spot on the teams. The finale happens later in the year in Thailand.
Also, there is the Amazing Muay Thai World Festival in Verona. Registration is live and filling up quickly.
Finally, there is the WBC Boxing convention. The Convention is coming to Bangkok. The WBC Muay Thai will be a strong part of it. Expect fights and more.
“Muay Thai is now a global sport. It’s a global iconic sport. We’re working hard with the authorities in Thailand to promote Thailand as the premier combat sports destination,” Noone said.
And with that, we know that the future will be bright. Make sure to tune in for more in 2025.