Local Kun Khmer legend Thoeun Theara will meet Brazilian knock-out artist Victor Teixeira in a 73-kilogramme bout at the Ganzberg Kun Khmer to the World Class event, the first such tournament to be held in South Korea. Supplied
In a historic first, a team of the Kingdom’s leading Kun Khmer exponents, including superstar Thoeun Theara, are heading to South Korea for a groundbreaking event. The fighters, set to depart Cambodia tonight at 11.40pm, will take on a roster of international boxers at the “Ganzberg Kun Khmer to the World Class” event on September 15.
Theara, a prominent figure on the kickboxing circuit, will face off against Brazilian world champion Victor Teixeira in a 73-kilogramme weight-class bout. Teixeira, known for his impressive knockouts, notably defeated Thai fighter Kongthailand Kiatnavy in the second round of ONE Friday Fight 20 in Bangkok on June 9.
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However, Teixeira suffered a loss to Thai pugilist Sinsamut Klinmee at ONE Friday Fight 24 in early July, when a facial injury led to the fight being stopped in the second round.
Despite not having seen Teixeira's fights or knowing much about him, Theara was confident in his ability to break his opponent down, thanks to his signature elbow strikes.
He expressed his excitement about promoting Kun Khmer in South Korea and is eager for the Cambodian community there to witness the sport firsthand.
“I am truly excited to contribute to the promotion of Kun Khmer in South Korea. This will be the first time Cambodians there can watch our sport live. I’m fully prepared and aim to use my elbows extensively to break my opponent’s spirit,” he told a September 10 press conference.
Several other Cambodian fighters will also showcase their skills. Meun Mekkhea will meet South Korea’s Kim Byung Soo in the 63.5-kilogramme category, while his brother, Eh Amarin Phuthong, will face Australian Jerome Simbahan in the 67-kilogramme class. Additionally, Long Achert will go up against South Korean fighter Jaeho Kim in the 60-kilogramme class.
Cambodia’s Som Vechai and Pheakdei Kunkhmer will take on Brazilian Alexandre Parreira and South Korean Lee Sang Min in a four-man marathon championship, with the bouts kicking off at 2pm local time in at the Ansan Olympic Memorial Hall in Ansan, South Korea, which corresponds to 12pm noon in Cambodia.
Tommy Kim, a representative of the International Professional Combat Council (IPCC) in Cambodia and advisor for the Town TV station, highlighted the significance of this event.
“This is the largest investment we've made in the history of Town TV's fight events. We have invited judges from Cambodia to help organise the tournament and promote the Kun Khmer rules and fighting style to the Korean audience. All of the costs are being borne by Town TV and Ganzberg,” he explained.
Kim added that both sponsors have a strong commitment to sharing Kun Khmer with an international audience, and a keen interest in promoting the sport globally. The Cambodian fighters are expected to perform at their highest level, while the Cambodian officials will ensure strict adherence to ethics and fairness in the sport.
Khov Chhay, president of the Cambodian Kun Khmer Federation, emphasised the historical importance of this event.
“This is a landmark event with six fighters, many coaches and technical staff, and over 30 officials participating. It represents a unified effort to showcase Kun Khmer to the world and engage Cambodians in South Korea and beyond,” he said.
