Muay Thai's Moses Itauma: The 17-year-old star taking Bangkok by storm

The unbeaten British heavyweight will take the biggest step of his career next weekend when he faces Filip Hrgovic for the vacant IBF heavyweight world title at The O2 in London on August 29.

Itauma is 14-0 with 12 knockouts and victory would complete his rapid transformation from highly-rated young prospect into heavyweight world champion.

But boxing is not the only combat sport with a young fighter threatening to become a major star.

Rajadamnern World Series (RWS)  Muay Thai has a teenage contender of its own.

Fairang Chor.Hapayak is just 17 years old, but an eight-fight winning streak has propelled the Thai prospect towards the biggest opportunity of his young career at Bangkok's famous Rajadamnern Stadium.

This weekend, Fairang faces former Rajadamnern Stadium champion Yothin FA Group, giving the teenager an opportunity to add his name to the long list of great fighters who have made their mark at one of Muay Thai's most iconic venues.

Who is Fairang Chor.Hapayak?

Fairang is one of the most exciting young fighters currently emerging through Thailand's Muay Thai scene.

Still only 17, the teenager arrives at RWS on an impressive eight-fight winning streak as his rapid rise continues.

Rajadamnern Stadium has been home to generations of Muay Thai greats, while RWS has provided a modern stage for established champions and emerging stars to compete in the heart of Bangkok.

Fairang remains at the beginning of his own journey, but he is already being handed the opportunity to test himself against fighters with considerably more experience.

That is where the comparison with Itauma becomes particularly interesting.

Itauma has risen through the heavyweight ranks by making increasingly experienced opponents look ordinary, with victories over the likes of Dillian Whyte and Jermaine Franklin helping earn him a world title opportunity against Hrgovic.

Fairang is at a much earlier stage of his career, but the challenge is similar: continue proving that exceptional young talent can overcome opponents with years more experience.

Fairang faces biggest test yet against Yothin

Standing in Fairang's way this weekend is Yothin FA Group, a vastly more experienced fighter with championship pedigree at Rajadamnern.

Yothin became Rajadamnern Stadium featherweight champion in 2024 before successfully defending the title in 2025.

The 34-year-old has also enjoyed success under the RWS banner and has spent years establishing himself among the elite of Thai Muay Thai.

That makes the age difference particularly striking. The former champion is exactly twice his opponent's age and brings an enormous experience advantage into the contest.

Known for his Muay Khao style, Yothin has built his career around relentless pressure, clinch work and knees, presenting a very different challenge to those Fairang has overcome during his eight-fight winning run.

For the teenager, victory would comfortably represent the biggest result of his career so far.

Itauma now stands one victory away from becoming a heavyweight world champion after successfully navigating the step-ups placed in front of him.

Fairang is not yet at that stage, but victory over a former Rajadamnern champion would be a major statement that Muay Thai has a teenage star of its own capable of climbing towards the top of the sport.

How to watch RWS Muay Thai on DAZN

Fairang faces Yothin as part of RWS Muay Thai at Rajadamnern Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday, August 22.

The action begins at 7:10pm ICT / 1:10pm BST.

Fans can watch RWS live and free on DAZN.  Coverage is available globally excluding Indonesia, Russia and Thailand.

To find RWS Muay Thai on DAZN:

• Open the DAZN app on your smart TV, phone, tablet, games console or streaming device, or access DAZN through a web browser.
• Sign in or create a free DAZN account.
• Search "RWS" or "Muay Thai" using the search function.
• Select the latest RWS Muay Thai event from the results.
• Choose the live coverage to start watching.