Paddy Mun Sophea, blue, scored a third-round knockdown over Ot Phuthang on his way toward outpointing the Kun Khmer fighting legend in their 68-kilogram bout Sunday, Nov 13. The win improved Paddy Mun Sophea’s record to 14-0 (7 KOs).

Paddy Mun Sophea is scheduled to face Chey Kosal at the CTN boxing arena Dec 18.

CORRECTION. the fight against Chey Kosal is Sunday Dec 18, not Saturday the 17.

To celebrate Pchum Ben, the village of Phnom Touch, Banteay Meanchey province, holds three days of traditional Khmer boxing matches every year. The tradition in Phnom Touch dates back decades, according to organizers. In addition to Banteay Meanchey, Phcum Ben festival fights were held in several other provinces, too, including Pursat, Battambang, Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey.

DAY 1

Vung Noy stopped Chao Virea in the fourth with knees. Yok Yakill and Sor Say fought to a draw.

DAY 2

Meas Socheat stopped Om Piseth in the fourth with a kick to the stomach. Voy Sothun outpointed Dun Ratha.

DAY 3

Vung Noy outpointed Aem Klimkhmao, and Aem Litho outpointed Sueng Chan Virea.

The Phnom Penh Post has more: Provincial Pchum Ben bouts

CTN and Paddy Carson Promotions hosted their first Super 8 tournament Friday Sept 3.

The eight fighters were (from left to right): Mun Seyla, Tim San, Ung Borim, Sarim Vonthon, Vireak Sothy, Meas Socheat, My Socheat and Khon Reach.

Fights were three rounds each, with the winner advancing. Sarim Vonthon KOd Meas Socheat in the second round in the final.

Sponsored by Paddy Carson Promotions, Friday Night Fights begins every Friday at 4 p.m. at the CTN boxing arena in Russey Keo.

In addition to traditional bouts of Khmer boxing, aka Kun Khmer, the show also hosts professional English boxing matches. A typical card comprises three to four undercard bouts and two main events, both of which are Kun Khmer fights.

The Friday card at CTN brings to eight the total number of weekend fight cards in Phnom Penh. In addition to Friday Night Fights, CTN hosts fights every Saturday night at 8 p.m. and every Sunday at 2 p.m.

TV5, Bayon Television and TV3 also host live boxing every weekend.

Khon Reach, blue, just barely eked out a victory over Kun Khmer Champion Season One winner Cheam Adam on Sunday Nov 16. The loss knocks Cheam Adam from the 65kg title tournament. Khon Reach joins Ty Bunhan, Pich Arun and Him Saran in the semifinals.

Full story from The Phnom Penh Post.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 1
Paddy’s fight Club Cambodia, Antonio Graceffo began his Khmer boxing training with Paddy Carson, at the old Paddy’s Gym, in 2004. Now Paddy Carson has a new gym, dedicated to the training of professional fighters, doing both western boxing and Khmer boxing (Bradal Serey). For Antonio it is an exciting opportunity to work with his old coach and clean up some bad habits he has acquired in his quest across Asia, training with so many different teachers.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 2
Paddy Carson explains to Antonio Graceffo his vision to create a world champion boxer in Cambodia. He watches Antonio spar, Khmer Boxing, and gives Antonio feedback, mainly that Antonio needs more consistency in his training, because he has been training with too many different kinds of teachers around the world.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 3
Paddy Carson tells Antonio Graceffo about Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin and the influence which that art had on his boxing and Khmer Boxing training.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 4
Paddy Carson teaches Antonio Graceffo to hook more effectively. Paddy discusses the impact Mas Oyama had on the fight world and what a visionary he was. Paddy also explains the importance of throwing all of your weight into a punch and of exploding.  Antonio is not good at exploding, but listening to Paddy is always instructive.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 5
Paddy Carson watches his fighters spar and tells them what they are doing wrong. He calls Antonio Graceffo a brawler and says that Antonio lacks technique because he was roughing up his opponent, with grabbing and throwing in a sparring match that should have been English boxing rules. Antonio strongly agreed.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 6
Paddy Carson watches Antonio Graceffo spar, while preparing for his upcoming black belt exam. Paddy isn’t happy with what he sees. He says Antonio is rushing in and punching. Antonio isn’t using the art and isn’t using combinations of kicks. He also warns Antonio that in a tournament fight, the Khmer boxers would be using knees and elbows and Antonio would get cut to ribbons, smothering his opponent on the inside. The interview continues, and Paddy talks about how the overall sport of fighting has evolved in the mare than forty years he has been involved in the fight game.

Martial Arts Odyssey: Paddy’s Fight Club Part 7
Antonio Graceffo gets tapped out by Garin Etcheberry. And Paddy Carson speaks the simple truth about fighting, “just prove it in the ring.”

The annual national tournament started yesterday. More then 200 boxers and 300 kickboxers. Fights last for 13 days with about 100 fights per day. Starts at 1 p.m. at the Tae Kwon Do facility at Olympic Stadium complex. Please come support local fighters.

The photo is Seng Makara, just before his match with Pich Arun. A great fight. Pich Arun won.

Fight Night Promo

Sen Bunthen v Ervant “The Wolf” Atagyan

Thun Sophea v Dominik Zidov Akuma

[PHOTO: The price of victory: Sen Bunthen gets four stitches after defeating Chey Kosal on points Sunday at TV5]

Sen Bunthen will face Chey Kosal today at TV5. Sen Bunthen is the favorite.

TWELVE unknown rookie fighters will try to slug their way to wealth and fame in the second season of Kun Khmer Champion at the CTN boxing arena, which airs its first show Sunday.

For the dozen newcomers the Kun Khmer Champion reality series offers a chance to skip years of fighting in little-viewed undercard bouts and go straight to the main event, where packed arenas cheer every punch and gamblers shower their winners with prize money.

Like fighting sport the world over, a boxer’s ability to command big money rides largely on his popularity, with fighters often spending years brawling in obscurity before breaking into the limelight.

“A year ago I was pouring cement,” said Sam Ournlourng, a 21-year-old from Prey Veng and one of a dozen hopefuls on the show. “I’d rather fight.”

Read the whole story.