Photo courtesy Duong-Tevi Sebire.

Australian Nick Power, who has been training in Australia, Thailand and Cambodia, finally got his chance inside a Cambodian ring today when he faced Meas Phirum. Power scored an 8 count in the first. Phirum scored his own 8 count in the second. But Nick responded with big hands, catching Phirum with hard if slightly wild left-right to end the fight with a 2nd-round KO.

Also on the card:

Rith Arun beat Hul Dara on points. Chey Sinith stopped Nuon Likho in the 3rd with low kicks. And Kao Savy outpointed Ty Bunhean.

At Bayon: Aem Klim Khmao beat Bheut Bunthoeun on points and Khann Sovan beat up returning veteran Pich Bunthoeun to earn a points victory.

Nuon Soriya beat Dutch fighter Yassine Lahmidi on points Saturday night in Belgium.

The Phnom Penh Post has the story: Cambodian kickboxing veteran Nuon Soriya makes a triumphant debut to the European scene, hammering Morrocan Yassim Lamidi in Frameries, Belgium

By Virginie Noel

Charleroi, Belgium — When Sen Bunthen arrived in Charleroi, Belgium, he was in good spirits. He had been training hard with Philippe Sebire, French trainer and president of the National Kun Khmer Commission of the FFSCDA, for the past two weeks, and he was feeling fit and strong. “I have never trained this hard in my life”, he said, looking back on daily hour-long cross-country runs, and endless sessions of 7-minute rounds with the French trainer. “Sen Bunthen has worked very hard”, said Sebire, adding, “no other fighter ever hurt me so much during training.”

The October 31 fight he was preparing for was his first stab at an international career. Facing Ali Abrayem, holder of six titles, including the WFCA K1 World Champion title, Sen Bunthen was not intimidated. “I’m not afraid of him. I am going in to win tonight”, Sen Bunthen asserted before the fight.

The night started off well. Bunthen won over the audience with his elegant Kun Kru. And while Ali started explosively into the first round, Bunthen was ready. He avoided Ali’s renowned flying knees and answered every kick and punch. One of Bunthen’s middle kicks landed so loudly on Ali’s side that it resonated through the large hall, prompting cheers from the audience. Toward the end of the first round, however, Bunthen’s luck turned.

While avoiding a head kick, Bunthen somehow dislocated his left shoulder. Suddenly his arm hung limply from his body and the fight had to be stopped. Ali kept his title without having fought for it. It was a disappointment for all. But trainer Philippe Sebire stayed positive. “What matters is that we brought a Khmer fighter to a WFCA K1 World Championship in Europe. He is the first Cambodian to fight for a title in Europe. The people saw a Khmer boxer, and he showed them what he was capable of. The injury is an accident, it could happen to anyone.”

Sen Bunthen will stay in France and Belgium for his recovery, where he will also give workshops at a Belgian Muay Thai club. Nuon Soriya will replace him for scheduled fights on the 14^th November in Brussels, and on the 27^th November in Rennes, France.

A good night of fights all around. Prime Minister Hun Sen gave main event fighters $1,000 each, and undercard fighters $500 each, including the two little guys, Rith Kao and Mtes Kmang, both about 14 years old. A Russian named Mitery, who was originally scheduled to fight Thun Sophea, did not make it for unspecified reasons. He was replaced by 27-year-old Ugandan fighter Muhammad Nsubuga, who trains at Rompo Boxing Gym in Bangkok.

Rith Kao v Mtes Kmang (draw)

Khan Sovan v Lim Bunna — Khan Sovan scored a knockdown in the 4th round with an elbow on his way toward earning the decision.

Chim Sarath v Cheng Rithy — Rithy winner by decision

Bheut Kam v Harlee Avison — Bheut Kam by unanimous decision. “Shit fight,” said Avison, who struggled to find his comfort zone in absence of his regular corner team.

Nuon Soriya v Yukiya Nakamura — Nakamura by majority decision. Soriya took the early rounds easy, but faded down the stretch as Nakamura came on strong.

Thun Sophea v Muhammad Nsubugu — Sophea by 1st round TKO. Nsubugu, who is predominantly an English boxer was a last-minute replace. He went down at the first low kick. Two kicks and two knockdowns later, the fight was over. Sophea hardly broke a sweat. “It felt like it was going to break,” Nsubugu said, as he poked gingerly at his left thigh afterward. “I prefer English boxing.”

Bheut Bunthoeun v Sarim Vonthon — Thon by decision.

Him Saram v Les Tuk — Les Tuk by decision. This was a rematch of the 63.5 national championship match, and it unfolded nearly the same way. Him Saram came out strong and looked good in the early rounds, but faded down the stretch. By the fourth round Les Tuk was throwing him around the ring like a rag doll.

Song Saruth v Bheut Bunthoeun and Van Chanvey v Nuon Mony in the lightweight tournament. Including today’s card, there are just two weeks left in the round robin tournament. The top four finishers will advance to the semifinals. At the moment, the current top 4 are:

• Kao Roomchang (6-0, 2 KOs)
• Van Chanvey (5-1, 4 KOs)
• Long Sophy (5-1, 1 KO)
• Vung Noy (3-3, 2 KOs)

Kao Roomchang v Long Sophy happens next Sunday and could shuffle up the rankings. If Long Sophy wins, Van Chanvey will jump into first place, with Kao Roomchang, Long Sophy and Vung Noy behind him. Should Sophy KO Roomchang — a virtual impossibility, however — that would force a second place tie. I am not sure what happens in that case. But, the odds are on Kao Roomchang outpointing Long Sophy to maintain first place and his undefeated tournament record. Assuming that, the semifinal matchups look like this:

• Kao Roomchang v Vung Noi
• Van Chanvey v Long Sophy

Roomchang and Sophy are the favorites, although Van Chanvey has upset Long Sophy before. A Van Chanvey Kao Roomchang rematch for first place would be off the charts. Stay tuned.

TV5 is hosting international fights October 30th at the Old Stadium arena. Bheut Kam, Nuon Soriya and Thun Sophea are fighting. Kam is facing a Canadian, Soriya and Japanese guy, and Sophea a Russian. No names as of yet. Thun Sophea is a replacement for Sen Bunthen, who dislocated his shoulder during the nationals in his finals bout against Mai Chaimov. Not that it mattered. Sen Bunthen left to France this morning, where he will spend 3 months teaching and training and, perhaps, fighting, under the auspices of French Kun Khmer promoter Philippe Sebire.

MORE: The undercard is Him Saran v Les Tuk and Van Chanvey v Kao Roomchang. Van Chanvey and Kao Roomchang are easily the two most explosive, exciting fighters around at the moment. Not to be missed. The pair’s first matchup Aug 2 is the leading contender for 2009 fight of the year.

Results are a little scattered for this weekend because I do not have the full schedules. I know Khon Reach KOd Seng Makara yesterday at TV5.  On Saturday at CTN, Nuon Vichet  just barely beat Som chanta, Nuon Likh KO’d Yul Samal with a wicked head kick in the fourth, and Lim Bunna got the TKO over Chey Sinith because of a cut in third.

At Bayon on Saturday, Pao Puot outpointed Sol Say, and Phirum Pheakkdey beat somebody whose name I cannot remember.

CTN: Saturday Oct 3; 2 p.m.

• A: Rith Arun v Lao Sinan
• B: Hul Dara v Reachesay Baba
• Chey Sinith v Khan Sovan
• Rith Arun v Reachesay Baba

BAYON: Saturday Oct 2; 4p.m.

• Phirum Pheak Kdey v Rung Vannak
• Luom Chomrong v Man Bopha (females)
• Pich Sombath v Sen Bunthen

CTN: Sunday Oct 4; 2 p.m

• Sombath Vanna v The Somkhan
• Bheut Bunthoeun v Nuon Mony
• Van Chanvey v Naem Chenda

BAYON: SundayOct 3; 4p.m.

• Michael Aranton v Saeng Kimsot
• Mut Srey Kea v Sok Srey Mao (females)
• Aem Vichet v Lim Bunna

TV5 is hosting the nationals at Olympic Stadium. Hundreds of fights there over the next 12 days. Check it out.

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.

Nineteen-year-old Vy Savuth from Kandal stopped Filipino boxer Paul Apolinario in the sixth round to win the vacant interim WBC international super bantamweight title and give Cambodia its first world boxing title.

Tv3 is getting back into promoting boxing. The Post has the story.

The station’s inaugural fight card is tonight at the indoor arena at Olympic Stadium. The card is being promoted as:

• Nuon Phireak v Sarim Vonthon
• Les Tuk v Phorn Sophorn
• Nuon Soriya v Danny Taylor (England)
• Bheut Kam v Stephen Meikle (Scotland)
• Svay Ratha v Pol Apolinario (Filipino, 12-round WBC title fight)

Unfortunately, things are not quite going to plan for TV3. Svay Ratha has been replaced by Vy Savuth for undisclosed reasons, and the number of rounds dropped to 10. Like Svay Ratha, Savuth is an amateur boxer who has never been more than 4 rounds. Lasting 10 is a tough assignment.

Additionally, Stephen and Danny failed to make their flight last night because of “immigration” problems, said people working for the Thai promoter, Songchai Ratanasuban.

TV5: Friday Sep 27; 5p.m.

• Nuon Vichet v Suong Sovantha (TKO2)
• Kuong Duong v Sek Kimphan
• Pich Arun v Pao Puok

CTN: Saturday Sep 28; 2 p.m.

• Ti Polite v Pi Sopheak
• Phan Sothy v Cheam Adam
• Sok Ratha v Seung Kangsan (disqualification round 2)

BAYON: Sunday Sep 27; 4 p.m.

• Nyite Ratha v Chanta Sarim
• Aem Klimkhmao v Heng Vichay
• Him Saran v Luk Vibol

CTN: Sunday Sep 27; 2 p.m.

• Song Saruth v Kao Roomchang
• Nuon Mony v Vung Noy
• Mai Chamov v Pov Soksut

TV3: Sunday Sep 27; 3:30 p.m

• Mao Rithy v Seang Heng
• Chim Sarath v Sueng Chan Vireak
• My Sopheap v Um Dara

BAYON: Sunday Sep 27; 4 p.m.

• Put Hut v Kim Dina
• Reachesay Baba v Aem Litho
• Chan Ratana v Yak Yakil

TV5: Saturday September 4; 5 p.m.

• Put Sarun v Morn Samet
• Cheng Rithy v Reachesay Chanra (TKO2)
• Pich Arun v Pao Puot (draw)

CTN: Saturday September 5; 2 p.m.

• A: Chey Chaanroath v Yul Somal
• B: Nuon Likho v Som Chanta
• Yul Somal v Nuon Likho

BAYON: Saturday September 5; 4 p.m.

• Sang Kimsot v Ong Sina
• Sok Sreytot v Sen Sina
• Luk Vibol v Sarim Vonthon

CTN: Sunday September 6; 2 p.m.

• Long Don v Prak Makara (TKO2)
• Vung Noy v Song Saruth (TKO2)
• Kao Roomchang v Nuon Mony

TV5: Sunday September 6; 3:30 p.m.

• Vong Kongreach v Rith Arun
• Kong Duon v Sung Panya (no decision – low blow 4th)
• Pov Soksut v Les Tuk

BAYON: Sunday September 6; 4 p.m.

• Chim Sarath v Sung Chan Vireak
• Sok Sreymao v Morn Bopha
• Yok Yakill v Tuot Reachesay (TKO4)

TV5: Friday August 28; 5 p.m.

• Viet Bunduon v Nite Ratha
• Nuon Lihko v Soy Phirum
• Kao Bunheng v Heng Samrang

CTN: Saturday August 29; 2 p.m.

• Chan Ratanak v Chin Ravy
• Phan Sothy v Soy Samneang (TKO3)
• Khon Reach v Dun Ratha

BAYON: Saturday August 29: 4 p.m.

• A: Rung Vannak v Phirum Pheakdey
• B: Chan Samuon v Morn Samnang
• Yim Deaplum v Khan Sovan
• Winner A v Winner B

CTN: Sunday August 30; 2 p.m.

• Van Chanvey v Naem Chenda (TKO1)
• Bheut Bunthoeun v Long Sophy
• Van Savy v Ty Bunhean (TKO2)

BAYON: Sunday August 30; 4 p.m.

• Serey Ratana v Siv Dina
• Sung Sovan v Aem Klimkhmao
• Van Chanvait v Aem Vichet

TV5: Sunday August 30; 3:30 p.m.

• Lao Sinan v Po Sothea
• Bheut Somkhan v Sok Sovan Suang Sovantha (TKO4, towel)
• Lim Bunna v Sek Kimphan

ISKA World Middleweight Champion Vorn Viva and Charlie Gillespie after their fight August 20 at the CTN indoor studio. Vorn Viva won by unanimous points decision.

Vorn Viva beat Charlie Gillespie by unanimous points decision. Charlie proved a very tough fighter. He withstood some very hard shots and got rocked with a straight right hand in the fifth but did not go down. In the end, it was all Viva, who was shaking his hips as the crowd chanted his name through later rounds.

Thun Sophea beat Dominik Zidov by unanimous points decision. Sophea looked a lot better on the night, and Zidov was never really in the fight. In fairness, though, Zidov was in a pretty bad motorcycle accident a few weeks ago that put 42 stitches in his head and banged him up pretty good. After the fight, Zidov said that under normal circumstances, “I could beat him.”

Sen Bunthen and Ervant “The Wolf” Atagyan fought to a draw. In the fifth round, Sen Bunthen caught a front kick from Wolf, and holding Wolf’s leg high in the air, Sen Bunthen ran him backward into the ropes and tried to kick Wolf’s head off. Wolf ducked, and instead Sen Bunthen went flying over the ropes where he crashed hard on the edge of the apron and then flipped and smacked his head on the concrete floor. He laid there for quite some time as doctors came over and had a look. I am not sure if he was out cold or not, but when he finally made it back to his feet, Sen Bunthen was still clearly dazed.

By that time the round was over, and the only decision that could be made was made. The fight was declared a draw. Until the moment Sen Bunthen went flying over the ropes, it was a very close fight. Sen Bunthen won rounds 1 and 2 easily, but Wolf came on strong in the third in a round that could have gone either way. Wolf clearly won the fourth, and an air of concern settled into the arena as the round came to a close.

Sen Bunthen came out slugging in the fifth, scoring with hard left kicks to the body, and was easily winning the round when he went flying over the ropes. But there was still half a round left, and in rounds 3 and 4, Wolf had come on hard in the later half. Impossible to know what would have happened had Sen Bunthen’s injury not occurred.

“Tough fight,” Wolf said afterward with a shake of his head and a hard exhale.

Um Dara scored a TKO victory over May Sopheap due to doctor stoppage in the fourth. Um Dara cut May Sopheap with an elbow in the third.

Cheam Adam came back from a second-round knockdown to score a 4th-round TKO over Sam Ounloung.

(PHOTOS HERE)

The presser. Fighters arrived at the CTN studio in their own personal chauffeur-driven Mercedes, courtesy of Royal Group’s new chauffeur service company.  Fighters are staying at the Cambodiana, where the dinner buffet is a hit. “I’m gonna move my bed into the restaurant,” Zidov joked. Read the rest of this entry »

TV5: Friday August 21; 5 p.m

• Put Sarun v Morn Samet
• Cheng Rithy v Reachesay Chanra (TKO4)
• Luon Sokheng v Sang Sitha

CTN: Saturday August 22; 2 p.m.

• Chey Vannak v Pheng Narun
• Suong Panya v Yim Yeat (TKO3)
• Sok Ratha v Poy Neurn (TKO3)

BAYON: Saturday August 22; 4 p.m.

• Chy Meas v Sung Chan Vireak
• Chao Pauldua v Kung Duong
• Chan Virea v Aem Litho (no decision)

CTN: Sunday August 23; 2p.m.

• Naem Chenda v Song Saruth
• Long Sophy v Nuon Mony
• Serey Ratana v Chim Sovan

TV5: Sunday August 23; 3:30 p.m.

• Eh Phoutang v Cheng Rithy Kosal (English boxing) (TKO1)
• Khum Pich Chenda v Khon Ruth
• Reachesay Baba v Pi Sophoa (TKO4)
• Pov Soksut v Pich Sombath

BAYON: Sunday August 23; 4 p.m.

• Suong Sovantha v Nuon Vichet
• Mul Ratha v Tuot Reachesay
• Yok Yakil v Phorn Saphorn (draw)

The Big Man, Eh Phoutang, gets in the ring at TV5 on Sunday for a rematch against Cheng Rithy Kosal, the national champion in English boxing. The two met a few weeks ago and Eh knocked Kosal out. Chan Virea v Aem Litho at Bayon on Saturday should be a great match among two of the best at 57 kilograms.

Angkor Youth Boxing fighter Suong Panya takes on old hand Yim Yeat on Saturday at CTN.

Fight Night Promo

Sen Bunthen v Ervant “The Wolf” Atagyan

Thun Sophea v Dominik Zidov Akuma

TV5: Friday August 16; 5 p.m.

• Rang Narong v Khun Sichan
• Hul DaraBheut Somkhan v Sok Sovan
• Nuon Phirum v Pi Sopheak
• Pov Soksut v Pao Puot

CTN: Saturday August 17; 2 p.m.

• Soy Samneang v Chey Sovan
• Kao Savy v Eh Kosal (TKO2)
• Ma Chaimov v Kao Lek

BAYON: Saturday August, 17; 4 p.m.

• Chan Samone v Puth Ramy
• Nam Neunv Lim Bunna
• Aem Klim Khmao v Sung Sovan

CTN: Sunday August 18 2 p.m.

• Khun Sovan v Reachesay Chao Kdeap
• Van Chanvey v Vung Noy (TKO2)
• Bheut Bunthouen v Kao Roomchang (TKO4)

TV5: Sunday August 18; 3:30 p.m.

• Kung Duong v Saek Kimphan
• Yim Deap v Chea Samneang (TKO3)
• Pich Arun v Ven Sovan

BAYON: Sunday August 18; 4 p.m.

• San Vichet v Heng Vichay
• Ti Ponlite v Soy Phirum
• Khan Sovan v Mun Seyla