Jo Prestia
| Jo Prestia | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 5 June 1960 Porto Empedocle, Sicily, Italy |
| Nationality | Italy / France |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 67 kg (148 lb; 10.6 st) |
| Division | Welterweight |
| Style | Muay Thai |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Fighting out of | France |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 85 |
| Wins | 70 |
| By knockout | 30 |
| Losses | 15 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Actor |
Last updated on: 2 January 2025 | |
Jo Prestia (born 5 June 1960) is an Italian born French Muay Thai kickboxer[1] and actor. He has appeared in more than 70 films since 1996 and is best known for his performance as Le Tenia in the controversial 2002 film, Irréversible.[2] In Muay Thai, he is considered to be one of the best farangs of the 90s era.[3]
Muay Thai kickboxing career
Early career
In his early career, Prestia's notable bouts was against Payakdam, Ronnie Green in 1984 losing both fights by a 5-round decision. In 1985 Jo defeated Bruno Benlabed by a 5-round decision.[4][5]
French Muay Thai title
In 1985 Jo fought for the French Muay Thai Title defeating Mohamed Jami by a 5-round decision.[4][5]
European Muay Thai world title
In 1986 and 1987 Jo would accomplish two European Muay Thai Championships. On 14 May 1988 a rematch was set against Bruno Benlabed for the Muay Thai European Championship, Jo would lose a 5-round decision.[4][5]
Rivalry with Wattana Soudareth
From 1987 to 1988 Jo fought Wattana Soudareth thrice losing the first fight by a 5-round decision, in a rematch Jo secured a win by a 5-round decision, and in the trilogy would go on to lose a 5-round decision.[4][5]
First knockout loss
In 1988 he competed against Kitty Sor.Thanikul losing by technical knockout in the 4th round corner stoppage.[4][5]
Rivalry with Lamkhong Sitwaywat
Jo competed against Lamkhong Sitwaywat twice losing both fights by a 5-round decision.[4][5]
2 on 1
On 21 December 1989 Jo competed in a 2 on 1 event alongside Joel Cesar against Cherry Sor Wanich, Prestia fought the first three rounds and Joel Cesar the last two. Cherry won the bout by a 5-round decision.[4][5]
Notable wins before title shot
On 23 November 1990 Jo competed against Joel Cesar winning by a 5-round decision. In December 1990, Jo fought Sannarong Kiathoranee winning by a 4th-round KO. [4][5]
Muay Thai world title
Jo would compete for the Muay Thai Welterweight World Title against Somsong Kiathoranee, winning by a 4th-round knockout. On 16 February 1991 Jo rematched Samsong losing the title by a 5th-round technical knockout( leg kicks). On 20 June 1992 Jo competed against Ramon Dekkers having previously lost by decision, a rematch was set for the Welterweight Muay Thai World Title, Jo would win by a 5-round decision. On 3 October 1992 Jo would lose the title to Coban Lookchaomaesaitong by a 5-round decision.[4][5]
Second run for the Muay Thai world title
In 1992 Jo defeated Samaisuk Chuwattana by a 5-round decision. In 1993 Jo defeated J.V Eguzkiza in a 9-round decision to win the kickboxing world title (savate style). In 1995 he fought and defeated Aymah Lukbanmao by a 5th-round knockout.[4][5]
Muay Thai world title
On 17 November 1995 Jo would face Dany Bill in the event La Nuit des Champion, for the Muay Thai World Title, losing by a 5-round decision.[4][5]
Last fight
His last fight took place in 1996 against Saimai Chor Suananan, losing a 5-round decision. He would retire with a record of 70 wins, 30 by a way of knockout, 15 losses.[6][5]
Selected filmography
- 1998: The Dreamlife of Angels as Fredo
- 2002: Irréversible
- 2004: 36 Quai des Orfèvres
- 2005: I Saw Ben Barka Get Killed
- 2005: 13 Tzameti
- 2007: Ill Wind
- 2008: Rivoallan (short) as Rivoallan
- 2009: The Horde as José
- 2014: Colt 45 as Marco
- 2017: Alibi.com as Prosper
References
- ↑ Barletta, Salvatore (17 April 2015). "Jo Prestia : "Sans le travail, tu n'es rien"". Le Journal de Saône-et-Loire. Retrieved 23 August 2025.
- ↑ Alexandra Heller-Nicholas (14 June 2011). Rape-Revenge Films: A Critical Study. McFarland. pp. 167–168. ISBN 978-0-7864-8692-2.
- ↑ "The Muay Thai Legends". Muay Farang. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Cite error: The named reference
TigreThaiJoePrestiawas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "JO PRESTIA — SIAM FIGHT MAG". Siam Fight Mag. Siam Fight Mag. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
- ↑ "Joe Prestia: a muay thai legend". Tigre Thai. 16 March 2021. Retrieved 25 April 2026.
External links
- Jo Prestia at IMDb