Top Cambodian fighters Pich Sambath, Lao Chantrea and Lorn Panha each won championship belts during a US tournament over the weekend. Female fighter Eh Yanut was left in tears after losing hermatch, while Lao Chetra suffered a questionable loss to the tall and powerful Juan Jackson.

The fights took place during the second Krud Kun Khmer To USA international event, held at the Greater Tacoma Convention Center in Tacoma, Washington, USA on May 31, June 1 in Cambodia. Both Sambath and Panha captured International USECA Champion belts after grueling five-round fights, while Lao Chantrea claimed the International Krud Kun Khmer belt after three rounds.

In his 60 kg USECA title fight, Sambath was seen as having a strong chance to knock out Malcom Hill, as he landed a decisive blow that knocked the American down hard at the end of the second round. However, the referee did not count Hill out, despite his visibly shaken condition.

What surprised many was Malcom Hill’s toughness. A two-time WBC belt holder, he withstood relentless attacks from Sambath until the end of five rounds, ultimately losing on a point decision. His counterattacks caused a cut to Sambath’s left eyebrow in round three.

Lao Chetra had to accept an unexpected loss on points to tall American Evan Boulton in their 70kg bout. Krud Kun Khmer

Thanks to his hard-earned victory, Sambath became the International USECA Champion, marking the second time he has won a belt on US soil. His first win came in April 2015 in Long Beach, California, when he was the only Cambodian among four contenders to win a belt for the Kingdom.

Panha also put in a strong performance, defeating American fighter Jose Aquino on points after a tough match, claiming the International USECA Champion belt in the 67 kg division. Meanwhile, Chantrea outpointed American Juan Jackson in a three-round match to claim the International Krud Kun Khmer belt in the 75 kg category.

In contrast, Chetra lost a controversial decision to tall American Evan Boulton in their 70kg International USECA Championship bout. Likewise, female fighter Eh Yanut lost by decision to Canadian Vectoria Borgdan in the 57kg International Krud Kun Khmer title match.

This second failure to secure a belt in the US devastated Yanut, daughter of the late legendary fighter Eh Phouthong, who broke as she expressed her deep disappointment.

“I’ve lost twice now. I have nothing but regret and want to apologise to my parents. Their daughter didn’t do well,” she said, through tears.

The Khmer team completed their mission to the US, winning three belts and losing two. Krud Kun Khmer

Despite the two losses, Khiev Chhay, president of the Khmer Boxing Federation who led the Cambodian delegation to the US, highlighted the fact that the results were better than the federation’s first trip in April. He also disagreed with the decision against Chetra.

“Chetra didn’t deserve to lose, but what can we do if that’s how they judged it? Still, with three of our fighters winning belts compared to two of theirs, that’s a good outcome. After all, we came to fight on their home turf, and they wanted recognition too. That’s sports. They trained hard, and so did we — but we were more exhausted from the long journey,” he said, in a post-fight interview.