Early life

Oley was born in the small tambon of Pak Phraek in Thung Song district, Nakhon Si Thammarat province. His family of 8 siblings was living in poverty. Initially, Oley's family was not interested in Muay Thai, so he secretly began training under Kru Wichai Plaikwuang in a small, ill-equipped gym near his home.^[2] It was Kru Wichai who gave him the ring name of Oley (โอเล่ห์). Oley had his first fight at the age of 12 and won 100 baht.^[3]

Oley later joined the Thung Song branch of the elite Kiatbanchong Muay Thai gyms where he would become teammates with yodmuay (top fighters) such as Jaroensap, Jaroenthong, and Samranthong. The Kiatbanchong gyms were some of the respected Muay Thai gyms owned by Chuchok Chukaewruang AKA Mai Muangkhon. Another Kiatbanchong branch named "International Muay Thai School" opened in Bangkok where Oley and his teammates would move to.^[3][4]

Oley began fighting near Bangkok at the age 15 in the Omnoi and Rangsit stadiums. After knocking out Chanoi Petchnaka and defeating Rao Rajanarit on points, he was scouted by the #1 promoter of the time, Onesongchai, and began fighting primarily in the prestigious Lumpinee Stadium. In the late 1980s, he began to be matched up against elite competition such as "The Ring Genius" Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth and "The Powerful Rhino" Nuathoranee Thongraja. His dominant victory in his first fight against Namkabuan resulted in the Thai media nicknaming him "Payaknoi" (Little Tiger).^[3]

Fighting style

Oley was nicknamed "The Black Pearl of Andaman," which in Thai meant an extremely rare and valuable gem, in reference to the fact that there were few fighters who had a similar style as his. He was a Muay Femur or rope-a-dope fighter who was exceptionally skilled in evasion, punching, and head kicks. He had quick movements, agility, and excellent eyesight (ability to read opponents). Oley was not a physically powerful fighter like some of his opponents, so he relied on his technique. The level of Oley's talent and his ability to mix Western boxing techniques with his Muay Thai skillset resulted in him being compared to Samart Payakaroon as well as Poot Lorlek.^[1][5]

He was praised by the Thai public for his evasive style as he would employ the use of head movement to dodge punches, redirection of his opponents as they attacked, and, to avoid kicks, he would lean back to the point that his back would be parallel to the floor, as can be seen in his fights against Boonlai Sor. Thanikul or Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth.

Elite career

Oley took advantage of his dynamic and evasive style to become a popular and successful fighter during the golden era of Muay Thai. He was able to win against other elite fighters such as Langsuan Panyuthaphum, Superlek Sorn E-Sarn, and Dokmaipah Por.Pongsawang. He won the Lumpinee Junior Bantamweight title (115 lbs) in the rematch against Boonlai Sor. Thanikul and successfully defended it against "The Top Master" Karuhat Sor.Supawan in a Onesongchai show in New Zealand. Both Oley and Namkabuan Nongkeepahuyuth were known for their 6-fight rivalry with both Muay Femur securing 3 victories against each other.^[3] At the peak of his career, Oley was the first person to land a knockout finish against "The King of Lumpinee" Therdkiat Sittepitak^[6] and was awarded his highest purse of 250,000 baht for doing so.^[2][5] This purse made him one of the highest paid fighters of the golden era of Muay Thai. For comparison, the usual purse given to yodmuay (top fighters) during the golden era was 100,000 baht and it was rare for one's purse to reach 200,000 baht or higher.^[7]

Despite his ability to put on dominant technical performances against respected opponents such as Namkabuan or Boonlai, Oley was described to be humble and generous person in the ring as he is outside of it. His level of fame during his prime would result in the area around the ring becoming crowded by a stream of spectators when he entered it.^[5] 1993 was the most significant year of Oley's career as he secured victories against top fighters such as Wangchannoi Sor. Palangchai and Chamuekpet Hapalang. After his successful run from 1987 to 1993, Oley began to take fewer fights in 1994 and onwards as his physical condition began to worsen.^[3]

In professional boxing, Oley had former WBC world Flyweight champion Venice Borkhorsor as his trainer. He fought a total of 4 boxing bouts with 2 losses. In his 4th and final boxing fight, he was set to compete for the PABA Super Bantamweight title (122 lbs) against Russia's Alexander Pak in his native province of Nakhon Si Thammarat in 1995. Oley lost by knockout in the first round.^[8]

Later years

Citing growing disinterest with Muay Thai, Oley retired and did not involve himself with combat sports for a long period of time as he was running small family restaurants in his hometown of Thung Song.^[5] He would later become a Muay Thai trainer at the Parunchai gym which was awarded 2015 Best Camp of the Year and is home to fighters that have won titles from the Lumpinee and Channel 7 stadiums.^[3] His goal as a Muay Thai trainer is to give children a way to earn money so that they may go to school.^[2] Oley has cited fellow Muay Femur Jaroenthong Kiatbanchong as his favorite Muay Thai fighter.^[1]