Kun Khmer ( ), or Pradal Serey ( ), is a
combat sport
A combat sport, or fighting sport, is a contact sport that usually involves one-on-one combat. In many combat sports, a contestant wins by scoring more points than the opponent, submitting the opponent with a hold, disabling the opponent (''knock ...
that originated in
Cambodia
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...
. The sport consists of stand up striking and
clinch fighting
Clinch fighting or trapping is the part of stand-up fighting where the combatants are grappling in a clinch, typically using clinch holds. Clinching the opponent can be used to eliminate the opponent's effective usage of some kicks, punches, ...
, where the objective is to knock an opponent out, force a
technical knockout
A knockout (abbreviated to KO or K.O.) is a fight-ending, winning criterion in several full-contact combat sports, such as boxing, kickboxing, Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, karate, some forms of taekwondo and other sports involving striking, a ...
, or win a match by points. The sport was codified in Cambodia by the
French colonial administration in the early 20th century, and was derived from centuries-old traditions, namely
Bokator
Bokator (, ) or Kun L'bokator (, , ) is an ancient Cambodian battlefield martial art. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in the world and is recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Oral tradition indicates that ...
, the close-quarter combat system used during the
Khmer empire
The Khmer Empire was an empire in Southeast Asia, centered on Hydraulic empire, hydraulic cities in what is now northern Cambodia. Known as Kambuja (; ) by its inhabitants, it grew out of the former civilization of Chenla and lasted from 802 t ...
.
The official Khmer name of the sport is Kbach Kun Pradal Khmer ( ).
[Vongs, Moul. "Khmer Boxing." Leisure Cambodia, Dec. 2001, www.leisurecambodia.com/news/detail.php?id=199. Accessed 7 July 2020.]
History
Kun Khmer developed from the ancient Khmer martial arts, now commonly referred to as ''
Bokator
Bokator (, ) or Kun L'bokator (, , ) is an ancient Cambodian battlefield martial art. It is one of the oldest fighting systems existing in the world and is recognised as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO.
Oral tradition indicates that ...
''. Dating back to the 1st century AD,
the martial arts in Cambodia are deeply rooted in the country's history, and are depicted in the various
bas-reliefs
Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The term ''relief'' is from the Latin verb , to raise (). To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that th ...
of the
Angkor period
The Khmer Empire was an empire in Southeast Asia, centered on Hydraulic empire, hydraulic cities in what is now northern Cambodia. Known as Kambuja (; ) by its inhabitants, it grew out of the former civilization of Chenla and lasted from 802 t ...
. Um Yurann, the deputy director of the Cambodian Boxing Federation, highlights the bas-reliefs found on the ancient walls of the Angkor temples, dating from the ninth to the twelfth century, as evidence that Cambodians have been engaged in the sport for hundreds of years.
Archaeologist Phoeung Dara has noted that several bas-relief sculptures depicting Cambodian martial arts are associated with Kun Khmer. These artistic representations are located in various temples, including
Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat (; , "City/Capital of Wat, Temples") is a Buddhism and Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Located on a site measuring within the ancient Khmer Empire, Khmer capital city of Angkor, it was originally constructed ...
,
Bayon
The Bayon (, ) ( ''BAI-on'') is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII (), the Bayon stands at the centre of Jaya ...
,
Ta Prohm
Ta Prohm (, UNGEGN: , ALA-LC: ; "Ancestor Brahma") is the modern name of a temple near the city of Siem Reap, Cambodia, approximately one kilometre east of Angkor Thom and on the southern edge of the East Baray. It was built in the Bayon style ...
,
Banteay Samre,
Preah Khan
Preah Khan (; "Royal Sword") is a temple at Angkor, Cambodia, built in the 12th century for King Jayavarman VII to honor his father.Higham, C., 2014, Early Mainland Southeast Asia, Bangkok: River Books Co., Ltd., It is located northeast of Angk ...
, and Prei Temples.

During the early 20th century, the local martial traditions were codified by the
French administration, giving birth to ''Pradal Serey,'' now more widely known as ''Kun Khmer''. Boxing matches were originally fought in dirt pits with limited rules, while hands were wrapped in rope.
From 1920 to 1930, it was common for boxing matches to result in deaths. Fighters in
Battambang province
Battambang (, , ) is a province of Cambodia in the far northwest of the country. Bordering provinces are Banteay Meanchey to the north, Pursat to the east and south, Siem Reap to the northeast, and Pailin to the west. The northern and south ...
, during the early 20th century, utilized glove-like knuckle dusters made from shells to inflict injuries on their opponents in kickboxing matches.

[Roeun, Van. (2003, August 23). Elbows, Fists, Knees and Kicks. The Cambodian Daily. https://english.cambodiadaily.com/news/elbows-fists-knees-and-kicks-40162/] According to Pel Yat, an elderly villager from Battambang, as documented in a 1974 publication regarding the social history of the province, “Boxers fought until death. During the bout, a stretcher to carry out the dead was brought in; it was kept there in case a boxer died. The winner received a prize from the committee.” Chhit Sarim, a kickboxer instructor from
Siem Reap
Siem Reap (, ) is the second-largest city of Cambodia, as well as the capital and largest city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia.
Siem Reap possesses French-colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter ...
, described tournaments around his village from the first half of the last century, "Coffins were placed near the ring ready for the possibility of a dead loser. The boxers did not use gloves to protect from injury, they just wrapped silk thread around their fists. On their arms they tied katei - magical plants wrapped in red pieces of cloth that would cause their opponent to see multiple images of their body in the ring. They were great boxers." In order to avoid the fatal casualties, the French set up a series of rules that combined
Western boxing
Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing punches at each other for a pred ...
with Khmer boxing.
France organized its own athletes to face off against Cambodian athletes. Recognizing the impressive capabilities of Khmer martial arts, particularly in the use of elbows, knees, fists, and other lethal techniques, including those that could result in neck injuries, the French administration introduced a modified version of boxing. This new sport mandated that all participants wear gloves, imposed time limits on matches, instituted rest periods, and prohibited certain techniques to mitigate risks to life. The intention behind this French initiative was to restrict the abilities of Khmer competitors while providing an opportunity for French athletes familiar with Khmer martial arts to secure victories in the contests. Subsequently, this definition evolved into the established rules of the game, leading to its recognition as a popular sport. Freestyle boxing(pradal serey) represents a fusion of the universal sport of boxing, rooted in European tradition, and the traditional martial arts of the Khmer culture. Through an agreement between French and Cambodian working groups, specific regulations were implemented, including prohibitions on additional time for falls, neck strikes, the use of protective gear, and other lethal techniques. This sport gained popularity during the French colonial period and the rules and format subsequently spread to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and various other nations under the
French sphere of influence. Kickboxing in Vietnam existed before 1979 but was then banned. The Vietnamese kickboxing art was historically similar to Khmer Boxing or Pradal Serey.

The introduction of
boxing rings
A boxing ring, often referred to simply as a ring or the squared circle, is the space in which a boxing match occurs. A modern ring consists of a square raised platform with a post at each corner. Four ropes are attached to the posts and pulled p ...
, rounds, and
gloves
A glove is a garment covering the hand, with separate sheaths or openings for each finger including the thumb. Gloves protect and comfort hands against cold or heat, damage by friction, abrasion or chemicals, and disease; or in turn to provide a ...
, as well as the prohibition of life-threatening techniques, transformed the local martial arts into a sport. With those new sets of rules, French and Khmer boxers would compete against each other in tournaments. In the 1960s, Cambodian boxing promoters held inter-martial arts
exhibition
An exhibition, in the most general sense, is an organized presentation and display of a selection of items. In practice, exhibitions usually occur within a cultural or educational setting such as a museum, art gallery, park, library, exhibiti ...
s.
Downfall of Kun Khmer
During the chaos of the Vietnam War,
President Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon (January 9, 1913April 22, 1994) was the 37th president of the United States, serving from 1969 until his resignation in 1974. A member of the Republican Party, he previously served as the 36th vice president under P ...
chose to get involved in Cambodia, where a pro-Western regime led by Gen.
Lon Nol
Marshal Lon Nol (, also ; 13 November 1913 – 17 November 1985) was a Cambodian military officer and politician who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice (1966–67; 1969–71), as well as serving repeatedly as defence minister and provi ...
had usurped Sihanouk’s neutral government in March 1970. Since then, the new government had been trying to drive the communists out of their sanctuary along the border. The North Vietnamese easily repelled the Cambodian army's offensives and began providing arms and support to the Cambodian communist faction, called the
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), and by extension to Democratic Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The name was coined in the 1960s by Norodom Sihano ...
. Eager to back Lon Nol and eliminate the sanctuaries, Nixon approved a significant operation involving a U.S. and South Vietnamese force of 20,000 troops into the border regions. In the U.S., news of the Cambodian incursion sparked widespread protests and demonstrations. During the Vietnam War, Henry Kissinger, serving as National Security Advisor, and then-President Richard Nixon authorized secret bombing operations in neutral Cambodia to target Viet Cong forces located in the eastern region of the country. Ben Kiernan, a historian at Yale University and a prominent authority on Cambodian history, estimates that approximately 500,000 tons of U.S. bombs were released over Cambodia from 1969 to 1973. Scholars have also suggested that the bombing campaign initiated by Nixon and Kissinger contributed significantly to the conditions that led to one of the most devastating genocides of the 20th century.
On April 17, 1975, the
Maoist
Maoism, officially Mao Zedong Thought, is a variety of Marxism–Leninism that Mao Zedong developed while trying to realize a socialist revolution in the agricultural, pre-industrial society of the Republic of China (1912–1949), Republic o ...
Communist
Communism () is a sociopolitical, philosophical, and economic ideology within the socialist movement, whose goal is the creation of a communist society, a socioeconomic order centered on common ownership of the means of production, di ...
rebels, the
Khmer Rouge
The Khmer Rouge is the name that was popularly given to members of the Communist Party of Kampuchea (CPK), and by extension to Democratic Kampuchea, which ruled Cambodia between 1975 and 1979. The name was coined in the 1960s by Norodom Sihano ...
under the orders of
Pol Pot
Pol Pot (born Saloth Sâr; 19 May 1925 – 15 April 1998) was a Cambodian politician, revolutionary, and dictator who ruled the communist state of Democratic Kampuchea from 1976 until Cambodian–Vietnamese War, his overthrow in 1979. During ...
, overthrew the government of the
Khmer Republic
The Khmer Republic (, ; ) was a Cambodian state under the United States-backed military dictatorship of Marshal Lon Nol from 1970 to 1975. Its establishment was formally declared on 9 October 1970, following the 18 March 1970 coup d'état w ...
then-led by
Lon Nol
Marshal Lon Nol (, also ; 13 November 1913 – 17 November 1985) was a Cambodian military officer and politician who served as Prime Minister of Cambodia twice (1966–67; 1969–71), as well as serving repeatedly as defence minister and provi ...
. The Khmer Rouge's plan was to eliminate modern society, and create an
agrarian utopia. The Khmer Rouge executed educated people, others who had ties to the old government, or anyone who was believed to be “advantaged” by the old society (doctors, teachers, soldiers, actors, singers, boxers, etc.), and forced the remaining Khmer population into
labor camp
A labor camp (or labour camp, see British and American spelling differences, spelling differences) or work camp is a detention facility where inmates are unfree labour, forced to engage in penal labor as a form of punishment. Labor camps have ...
s—in which hundreds of thousands died in executions,
starvation
Starvation is a severe deficiency in caloric energy intake, below the level needed to maintain an organism's life. It is the most extreme form of malnutrition. In humans, prolonged starvation can cause permanent organ damage and eventually, de ...
and diseases—to be re-educated under the new government. Traditional
martial arts
Martial arts are codified systems and traditions of combat practiced for a number of reasons such as self-defence; military and law enforcement applications; combat sport, competition; physical, mental, and spiritual development; entertainment; ...
were banned at this time, and many boxers were executed or worked to death, which nearly caused the demise of Kun Khmer. An estimated 1.7 million Cambodians, or 21% of the population, died during the Khmer Rouge regime, according to the studies of the Cambodia Genocide Program of
Yale University
Yale University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Stat ...
. This despotic subjugation lasted for four years until 1979, when the
Vietnamese
Vietnamese may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Vietnam, a country in Southeast Asia
* Vietnamese people, or Kinh people, a Southeast Asian ethnic group native to Vietnam
** Overseas Vietnamese, Vietnamese people living outside Vietna ...
,
invaded and overthrew the Khmer Rouge. During the relative stability with the Vietnamese’s protection and after the departure of the Vietnamese, the
Kingdom of Cambodia, reestablished the
Kingdom of Cambodia, and the countries traditional arts were attempted to be rebuilt, including Kun Khmer.
Rebuilding of Kun Khmer
Kun Khmer made a strong comeback since its prohibition in the 1970s. Chhith Sarim, a coach in the sport of Khmer kickboxing, expressed regret over Cambodia's loss of prominence in the kickboxing arena during periods of conflict. Despite this setback, he remains resolute in his efforts to restore the country's standing in the sport.
Cambodia has made an effort to popularise its style of boxing, despite the lack of financial funding. Numerous gyms have opened, and large masses of students, local and foreign, have come to train in Cambodia. There are weekly matches held, the majority televised live, and many of Cambodia's best have traveled internationally to compete. There are currently approximately 70 boxing clubs nationwide.
In 1987, one of the first Kun Khmer schools abroad opened in the United States. It was started by a former national champion by the name of Oumry Ban in
Cambodia Town,
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the list of United States cities by population, 44th-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. A charter ci ...
.
Kun Khmer is administered in Cambodia by the Cambodian Boxing Federation (CBF), formerly the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Federation (CABF), which was established in 1961. All referees, judges, and fighters must be licensed by the CABF. Television stations which hold Khmer boxing tournaments do so under the supervision of the CBF. The individual stations are responsible for organizing boxers, trainers, medical staff, and musicians. The CBF supplies the match referees, judges, and time-keepers. The current president of the CBF is Major-General Tem Moeun.
Abroad, Cambodian boxing is promoted by four organizations. These organizations include: the European Khmer Boxing Federation, based in
Germany
Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany, is a country in Central Europe. It lies between the Baltic Sea and the North Sea to the north and the Alps to the south. Its sixteen States of Germany, constituent states have a total popu ...
; the Fédération des Arts Martiaux Khmers (FAMK), based in France; the Ánh Binh Minh Khmer Martial Arts Association, located in Vietnam; and Kun Khmer Australia, based in
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country comprising mainland Australia, the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania and list of islands of Australia, numerous smaller isl ...
. Other newly created organizations can be found in
Spain
Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta de Tarifa, southernmost point of continental Europe, it is the largest country in Southern Eur ...
and
Italy
Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...
, while
Belgium
Belgium, officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a country in Northwestern Europe. Situated in a coastal lowland region known as the Low Countries, it is bordered by the Netherlands to the north, Germany to the east, Luxembourg to the southeas ...
is in the process of forming its own Khmer boxing organization. The
International Sport Kickboxing Association (ISKA), based in the United Kingdom, has held matches involving Cambodian boxers. Additionally, Khmer boxers have fought abroad in countries such as South Korea.
There have been concerns about the
betting
Gambling (also known as betting or gaming) is the wagering of something of value ("the stakes") on a random event with the intent of winning something else of value, where instances of strategy are discounted. Gambling thus requires three ele ...
and rowdiness among Kun Khmer fans.
Commenting on how the behavior of boxing audiences has noticeably worsened over the years, Cambodian trainer Chiit Sarim has remarked, “I traveled from pagoda to pagoda to box at competitions during the water festival.
Pagoda
A pagoda is a tiered tower with multiple eaves common to Thailand, Cambodia, Nepal, India, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam, and other parts of Asia. Most pagodas were built to have a religious function, most often Buddhist, but some ...
s were the traditional venue for boxing matches... They
he current fansact inappropriately. They raise up their hands and scream noisily. They gamble and do not respect the boxers. They think of only winning their bet. During my time, there was no such thing. Fights were organized nicely and were very popular. Now, fans have no morality.”
Tournaments are screened live on national television. TV5 Cambodia holds live tournaments on Friday and Sunday,
CTN holds live tournaments on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Bayon Television holds live kickboxing tournaments on Saturday and Sunday, while
TV3 Channel 3 or TV 3 may refer to:
Television
*Canal 3 (Burkina Faso), a commercial television channel in Burkina Faso
* Canal 3 Niger, a commercial television channel in Niger
* Canal 3 (Guatemala), a commercial television channel in Guatemala
* Can ...
holds a single tournament on Sunday, and
Apsara TV has added a single tournament on Thursday.
Recently, travel journalists and tourists have exposed Kun Khmer to the western world. Features in television programs have further popularized the martial art amongst global viewers; Kun Khmer was featured on
The History Channel
History (formerly and commonly known as the History Channel) is an American pay television network and the flagship channel of A&E Networks, a joint venture between Hearst Communications and the General Entertainment Content division of The Wa ...
's ''
Human Weapon
''Human Weapon '' is a television show on History Channel that premiered on July 20, 2007. The hosts, Jason Chambers and Bill Duff, traveled around the world studying the unique martial arts, or styles of fighting, that have origins in the region ...
,'' and was also mentioned on the Cambodian episode of
Globetrekker. In February 2009, American footballer
Dhani Jones filmed an episode of his series
Dhani Tackles the Globe
''Dhani Tackles the Globe'' is an American documentary television series hosted by former NFL linebacker Dhani Jones of the Cincinnati Bengals and Philadelphia Eagles, that aired on the Travel Channel. The series follows Jones around the globe ...
in
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Cambodia, most populous city of Cambodia. It has been the national capital since 1865 and has grown to become the nation's primate city and its political, economic, industr ...
, training with Long Salavorn at the Salavorn Keila club, and subsequently fighting Pan Phanith at the CTN arena.
In the Cambodian S1 World Championship, Bun Sothea won the tournament. He defeated Michael Paszowski,
Dzhabar Askerov
Dzhabar Askerov () (; born January 24, 1986) is a Russian Welterweight kickboxer fighting out of Melbourne, Australia and representing Russia. He is the World Muay Thai Council's Welterweight European Champion and K-1 MAX Scandinavia 2008 Tour ...
, and Lor Samnang in front of 30,000 people at the Phnom Penh National Olympic Stadium.
In 2008, the Cambodian Television Network (CTN) screened a Kun Khmer reality television series called ''Kun Khmer Champion''. The show featured 65 kilogramme (143.3 lbs.) boxers, and was produced by Ma Serey and Aaron Leverton, and co-hosted by Ma Serey and Cambodia's most famous kickboxer,
Eh Phouthong. The first series was followed by a second in 20097 and a third in 2010, both co-hosted by Vorn Viva.

On August 28, 2008, Cambodian boxers Vorn Viva and Meas Chantha won the
ISKA
The ISKA (originally International Sport Karate Association, later also called the International Sport Kickboxing Association) is international bodies regulating sport karate and kickboxing matches.
It is based in the United States. It was est ...
Middleweight
Middleweight is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing Professional
In professional boxing, the middleweight division is contested above and up to .
Early boxing history is less than exact, but the middleweight designation seems to have beg ...
and
Welterweight
Welterweight is a weight class in combat sports. Originally the term ''welterweight'' was used only in boxing, but other combat sports like muay Thai, taekwondo, and mixed martial arts also use it for their own weight division system to classify th ...
world titles in Phnom Penh. It was the first time a Cambodian had held a kickboxing world title.
In 2011, Prime Minister Hun Sen created a committee responsible for documenting and researching the sport of Khmer kickboxing in order to have it included on
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO ) is a List of specialized agencies of the United Nations, specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) with the aim of promoting world peace and International secur ...
's intangible cultural heritage list. The 19-member committee included Culture Minister
Him Chhem, the boxing federation, Council of Minister officials, and other officials from other government ministries.
In 2011, there were 1,000 registered boxers from 78 martial arts schools.
As of 2012, there are over 50 Kun Khmer fights held every week in the Phnom Penh region.
Post-Recovery Era
A well-known promoter stated 2020 would be an important year for development of the sport. Promoter, Matias Andres, via the Riel Team was focused on putting the sport in an international context instead of just focusing on the local scene.
Town Full HDTV brought MAS Fight, a global professional martial arts organization, to Cambodia. It was welcomed as a programme to help promote Kun Khmer internationally.
In 2022, the International Professional Combat Council (IPCC) held their first sanctioned Kun Khmer event in
Kampong Speu province
Kampong Speu (, ; ) is a province of Cambodia. It borders the provinces of Pursat and Kampong Chhnang to the north, Kandal to the east, Takéo to the southeast, Kampot to the south and Koh Kong to the west. Its capital is the town of Chba ...
.
In 2023, Kun Khmer was added to the
Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games, commonly known as SEA Games is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia. The games are under the regulation of the Southeast Asian Games Federation with sup ...
Federation's charter and rules. Deputy Prime Minister
Tea Banh stated that he was proud that the Southeast Asian Games officially recognized the Cambodian martial art of Kun Khmer.
In 2023, the BKK (Bare Knuckle Kombat) Championship held their first Kun Khmer event.
In 2024, a Kun Khmer event called “Ganzberg Kun Khmer to the World Class” was the first Kun Khmer event to take place in South Korea.
In 2024, Kun Khmer had a historic first-ever event called International Cambodian Kun Khmer Championship on the Greek island of
Crete
Crete ( ; , Modern Greek, Modern: , Ancient Greek, Ancient: ) is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the List of islands by area, 88th largest island in the world and the List of islands in the Mediterranean#By area, fifth la ...
in
Heraklion
Heraklion or Herakleion ( ; , , ), sometimes Iraklion, is the largest city and the administrative capital city, capital of the island of Crete and capital of Heraklion (regional unit), Heraklion regional unit. It is the fourth largest city in G ...
.
In 2024, Chinese martial arts organization,
Kunlun Fight
Kunlun Fight (KLF) () is a kickboxing promotion headquartered in Beijing, China. It debuted in 2014 and is regarded as one of the top kickboxing promotions in the world. Events are broadcast on Jiangsu Television domestically and on various regio ...
, held a Kun Khmer and kickboxing event in Cambodia called
Kunlun Fight & Cicada FC.
The 5th Kun Khmer World Championship were held in Siem Reap. The top 5 medal countries were Cambodia(first place),
Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan, officially the Kyrgyz Republic, is a landlocked country in Central Asia lying in the Tian Shan and Pamir Mountains, Pamir mountain ranges. Bishkek is the Capital city, capital and List of cities in Kyrgyzstan, largest city. Kyrgyz ...
(second place),
Afghanistan
Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central Asia and South Asia. It is bordered by Pakistan to the Durand Line, east and south, Iran to the Afghanistan–Iran borde ...
(third place),
Russia
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...
(fourth place) and
France
France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...
(fifth place).
The 6th World Kun Khmer Championship is scheduled to be hosted in
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
in 2025.
Khov Chhay, the President of the Kun Khmer Federation, has noted significant advancements in the sport of Kun Khmer in recent years. This growth has resulted in increased support for many fighters, including heightened engagement from fans, enhanced opportunities, and expanded sponsorships.
Currently, there are approximately 17 to 20 programs conducted each week. Between 2019 and 2021, the financial remuneration for boxers per tournament ranged between 200,000 and 300,000 riel. In contrast, present compensation has escalated to between $1,000 and $3,000, excluding additional earnings from sponsorships. Chhay remarked, “By including sponsorship rewards, some boxers can earn $7,000, $8,000, or even $10,000 for participating in a single tournament.”
Despite the sport’s notable growth, the Kun Khmer Federation has encountered challenges regarding human resources. To address this, the federation is actively encouraging youth participation, targeting both young men and women, to further enhance the prominence and success of Kun Khmer.
Attempt to unite regional boxing styles
Nearby Southeast Asian countries have similar styles of boxing martial arts. At an
ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations,
commonly abbreviated as ASEAN, is a regional grouping of 10 states in Southeast Asia "that aims to promote economic and security cooperation among its ten members." Together, its member states r ...
meeting in 1995, Cambodia suggested that the Thai boxing style,
Muay Thai
Muay Thai or Muaythai (, , ), sometimes referred to as Thai boxing, the Art of Eight Limbs or the Science of Eight Limbs, is a Thai martial art and full-contact combat sport that uses stand-up striking, sweeps, and various clinch fighting, cl ...
, be referred to as "
Sovannaphum boxing," or "SEA Boxing," which would collectively represent Thailand, Cambodia,
Laos
Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and ...
, and
Myanmar
Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar; and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has ...
. ''Sovannaphum'' means "golden land" in
Khmer, and is written as ''Suwannabhumi'' in
Thai. The name refers to mainland Southeast Asia in the ancient Indian language of
Pali
Pāli (, IAST: pāl̤i) is a Classical languages of India, classical Middle Indo-Aryan languages, Middle Indo-Aryan language of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely studied because it is the language of the Buddhist ''Pali Canon, Pāli Can ...
.
However, Thailand would not compromise, stating that each Southeast Asian country has its own boxing style, and that Thailand was responsible for making its boxing style an international sport. When it debuted at the
2005 Southeast Asian Games
The 2005 Southeast Asian Games, officially known as the 23rd Southeast Asian Games, were a Southeast Asian multi-sport event held in Manila, Philippines.
This was the third time the Philippines hosted the games and its first time since 1991. ...
, Cambodia did not enter the Muay Thai event in protest of the name used to refer to the sport.
At subsequent Southeast Asian Games, Southeast Asian boxing has been known by the ethnically neutral term "muay," with the exception of the
2009 Southeast Asian Games
The 2009 Southeast Asian Games (, Romanization of Lao, translit. Kila phoumipak asi taven oak siang tai 2009), officially known as the 25th Southeast Asian Games, were a Southeast Asian multi-sport event hosted by Vientiane, Laos. This was the ...
in
Vientiane
Vientiane (, ) is the capital city, capital and largest city of Laos. Situated on the banks of the Mekong, Mekong River at the Thailand, Thai border, it comprises the five urban districts of Vientiane Prefecture and had a population of 840,000 ...
, when the sport was called
Muay Lao
Muay Lao (, lit. "Lao boxing") is a combat sport from Laos based on ancient Lao martial arts. It incorporates punches, kicks, elbow, and knee strikes. It can be traced back to the 15th century when it was used for military combat during the Lan ...
. The decision did not spark any controversy or negative reaction from Thailand or Cambodia at that time.
At the
2023 Southeast Asian Games
The 2023 Southeast Asian Games (, UNGEGN: ''Kar Brâkuŏt Keila Brâchéachéatĕ Asi Aknéy 2023''), also known as the 32nd Southeast Asian Games, or the 32nd SEA Games, and commonly known as Cambodia 2023, were the 32nd edition of the Southe ...
, held in Cambodia, the event was called Kun Khmer instead of Muay Thai, which led to a boycott by Thailand. In response, Cambodia said it would retaliate by not sending boxers to the 2025 games in Thailand. The Secretary-general of the Cambodian Southeast Asian Games Organising Committee, Vath Chamroeun, asserted, “We are the host country, so we have the right to change it to Kun Khmer, as the sport has its origin in Khmer, and it is our culture.” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen addressed the issue by proposing, “When competing in Cambodia, we call it Kun Khmer; when competing in Thailand, we call it Muay Thai; when competing in Laos, we call it Muay Lao; and in Myanmar, we call it the name of their original martial arts. Can we find a compromise?”
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has suggested that Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand jointly apply for UNESCO status for traditional martial arts. Initially,
Muay Lao Federation’s President, Saysamone Sayasone, supported the renaming, and concurred that the sport originated indeed in
Cambodia
Cambodia, officially the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country in Southeast Asia on the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula. It is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the north, and Vietnam to the east, and has a coastline ...
. However, amidst severe backlash from Thailand, he was compelled to apologise for his statements. The
International Federation of Muaythai Associations
The International Federation of Muaythai Associations, or IFMA, called the International Federation of Muaythai Amateur until 27 July 2019, is a sport governing body of amateur and professional Muay Thai and Muay boran consisting of 140 member co ...
(IFMA) threatened six member-countries from Southeast Asia—Malaysia, Vietnam,
the Philippines
The Philippines, officially the Republic of the Philippines, is an archipelagic country in Southeast Asia. Located in the western Pacific Ocean, it consists of 7,641 islands, with a total area of roughly 300,000 square kilometers, which ar ...
,
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania, between the Indian Ocean, Indian and Pacific Ocean, Pacific oceans. Comprising over List of islands of Indonesia, 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, ...
, Thailand, and
Singapore
Singapore, officially the Republic of Singapore, is an island country and city-state in Southeast Asia. The country's territory comprises one main island, 63 satellite islands and islets, and one outlying islet. It is about one degree ...
—with a two-year ban on any IFMA competitions and activities, should they join the competition. Eventually, only Thai athletes boycotted the competition.
Techniques
Kun Khmer consists of four types of strikes: punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. The clinch is used to wear down the opponent. In the clinch, opponents battle for the dominant position for short range strikes by way of elbows and knees. Kun Khmer is most well-known for its kicking and elbows technique. The roundhouse kick generates power from hip rotation rather than snapping the leg. The front kick is called sniet theak trang(straight push kick technique) or chrot eysei(hermit's crutch). The push kick is considered easy and simple to use in fights. The push kick can be used on areas that are not carefully guarded by the opponent. The push kick can be delivered by the ball of the foot or the heel of the foot. The push kick can be used to attack below the waist, the chest and the middle of the face. Cambodian fighters tend to utilize more elbow strikes than that of other martial arts in the region. A number of elbow techniques must be executed coming down from above into the centerline of the opponent or by coming up from below into the opponent's centerline. In Kun Khmer, more victories come by way of an elbow technique than any other strikes.
Life as a boxer

Kun Khmer is an athletic sport that relies on agility, toughness, and flexibility. Most participants are young adults due to the physical conditioning that a boxer must endure to keep their body in shape. The average age ranges from 14 to 25. Most Cambodian boxers come from impoverished backgrounds, and compete to earn money to feed their families and themselves. Top kickboxers can have as many as 200–300 fights in their careers.

Cambodian boxers were traditionally paid by the crowd. If the crowd appreciated the boxer's efforts, they would reward him with food, alcohol, and cash. This practice still continues today, but in line with western practices, bouts pay official fees. Until recently, the average purse for a fight was US$15. Today, purses are based on experience. A new Cambodian boxer can earn US$25 per fight, while more experienced kickboxers with more than a dozen fights can earn up to $75. "Brand name" kickboxers can earn over $100 a fight. Special purse fights will pay up to $250, with the purse contributed by a corporate sponsor. "International" tournaments, organised by the broadcasters, will pay individual purses of up to $1000, sometimes higher.
[
An estimated 70% of boxers in the Phnom Penh circuit come from the rural northwest. The provinces of ]Battambang
Battambang (, Romanization of Khmer#UNGEGN, UNGEGN: ) is the capital of Battambang province and the List of cities and towns in Cambodia, third largest city in Cambodia. The city is situated on the Sangkae River, which winds its way through t ...
and Banteay Meanchey
Banteay Meanchey (, , ) is a province of Cambodia located in the far northwest. It borders the provinces of Oddar Meanchey to the north, Siem Reap to the east, Battambang to the south, and shares an international border with Thailand to the we ...
produce a steady supply of boxers.[Roeun, Van, & Doyle, K. (2003, August 23). Elbows, Fists, Knees and Kicks. Khmer Times. Retrieved September 1, 2020, from https://english.cambodiadaily.com/news/elbows-fists-knees-and-kicks-40162/] Some of the best Kun Khmer champions come from the Battambang Province
Battambang (, , ) is a province of Cambodia in the far northwest of the country. Bordering provinces are Banteay Meanchey to the north, Pursat to the east and south, Siem Reap to the northeast, and Pailin to the west. The northern and south ...
, although a number of big name stars have come via Southern Cambodia, such as Eh Phouthong from Koh Kong Province
Koh Kong (, , ) is a province (''khaet'') of Cambodia. Its capital is Khemarak Phoumin (Koh Kong).
Geography
The most southwestern province of Cambodia, Koh Kong has a long undeveloped coastline and a mountainous, forested, and largely inac ...
, Thun Sophea from Svay Rieng Province, and Meas Chantha and Seng Makara from Kandal Province. Cambodian boxers train in a gym under a Kun Khmer kru.
The grandmasters that are responsible for preserving traditions are known as achar. Many boxers train 6–8 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Khmer Boxing Federation
The Khmer boxing federation was reestablished in 1996. It has had four presidents. Khov Chhay is the current president after the resignation of Tem Meun in 2024.
1. Prum Pich: first term, (1996-2000)
2. Um Yurann: second term (2000-2004), third term (2004-2008)
3. Tem Meun: fourth term(2008-2012), fifth term(2012-2016), sixth term(2016-2021), seventh term (2021-2025)
4. Khov Chhay: Continuation of 7th term (2024-2025)
Health risk
As with all contact sports, health risks are a factor. According to Chhoeung Yavyen, a ringside doctor for the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Association, in the past five years, 30 kickboxers have sustained serious injury in the ring, including broken wrists, arms, shins, noses, and jaws, in addition to dislodged shoulders and hip injuries. One Cambodian boxer died in the ring in Svay Rieng Province in 2001, but that death was the result of a heart attack, probably brought on by diet pills consumed to help the boxer reduce his weight before the bout. Most of the injuries suffered are curable and don't leave lasting problems. Most boxers are allowed to return to the ring after receiving treatment.
Rules and match setup
A match consists of five three-minute rounds and takes place in a 6.1 meter square boxing ring
A boxing ring, often referred to simply as a ring or the squared circle, is the space in which a boxing match occurs. A modern ring consists of a square raised platform with a post at each corner. Four ropes are attached to the posts and pulled p ...
. A one-and-a-half or two-minute break occurs between each round. In olden times, ancient Khmer people would do praying rituals before going to the battlefield or war.
At the beginning of each match the boxers practice the praying rituals known as the kun kru or thvayobangkoum krou. There are different variations of the thvayobangkoum krou ritual with different names such as "Hanuman
Hanuman (; , ), also known as Maruti, Bajrangabali, and Anjaneya, is a deity in Hinduism, revered as a divine ''vanara'', and a devoted companion of the deity Rama. Central to the ''Ramayana'', Hanuman is celebrated for his unwavering devotio ...
ties the bridge to Sita
Sita (; ), also known as Siya, Jānaki and Maithili, is a Hindu goddess and the female protagonist of the Hindu epic ''Ramayana''. Sita is the consort of Rama, the avatar of god Vishnu, and is regarded as an avatar of goddess Lakshmi. She is t ...
". There are 17 different variations of the ritual. Most are based on the main characters of the Reamker
''Reamker'' (, UNGEGN: , ALA-LC: ; ) is a Cambodian epic poem, based on the Sanskrit's Rāmāyana epic. The name means "Glory of Rama". It is the national epic of Cambodia, along with the less famous version of the '' Trai Bhet''. The earliest ...
story and believe to have occurred when Cambodia had a strong belief in Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Hypernymy and hyponymy, umbrella term for a range of Indian religions, Indian List of religions and spiritual traditions#Indian religions, religious and spiritual traditions (Sampradaya, ''sampradaya''s) that are unified ...
. The pre-competition teacher offering ritual also serves to warm the muscle and increase blood flow.
The praying ritual at the preliminaries of the boxing match is considered a real dance. Traditional Cambodian music
The music of Cambodia is derived from a mesh of cultural traditions dating back to the ancient Khmer Empire, India, China and the original indigenous tribes living in the area before the arrival of Indian and Chinese travelers. With the rapid Wes ...
performed with the instruments of the ''sampho
The ''samphor'' (; also romanized as ''sampho'') is a small, 2-headed barrel drum indigenous to Cambodia, approximately .35 meter wide by .5 meter long. It has two heads, with one drumhead being larger than the other and is played with both hand ...
'' (a type of drum), the sralai
The ''sralai'' () is a Cambodian wind instrument that uses a quadruple reed to produce sound. The instrument is used in the '' pinpeat'' orchestra, where it is the only wind instrument. The set of quadruple reeds are made of palm leaf. The bor ...
klang khek (oboe) and the chhing is played during the match. The music of Khmer boxing is called vung phleng pradall or vung phleng klang khek. The music is made up of two sections. The first section is for the boxer's teachers while the second section is the fight music. The first part uses a spirit(teacher) to help the boxers concentrate their minds and have confidence. The first part of the music is played slowly in a rubato
; , , ;) is a musical term referring to expressive and rhythmic freedom by a slight speeding up and then slowing down of the tempo of a piece at the discretion of the soloist or the conductor. Rubato is an expressive shaping of music that is a p ...
style. The melody is played by the sralai
The ''sralai'' () is a Cambodian wind instrument that uses a quadruple reed to produce sound. The instrument is used in the '' pinpeat'' orchestra, where it is the only wind instrument. The set of quadruple reeds are made of palm leaf. The bor ...
(oboe
The oboe ( ) is a type of double-reed woodwind instrument. Oboes are usually made of wood, but may also be made of synthetic materials, such as plastic, resin, or hybrid composites.
The most common type of oboe, the soprano oboe pitched in C, ...
) and the sampho
The ''samphor'' (; also romanized as ''sampho'') is a small, 2-headed barrel drum indigenous to Cambodia, approximately .35 meter wide by .5 meter long. It has two heads, with one drumhead being larger than the other and is played with both hand ...
(drum) plays strokes at important points of the melody. The second part which is the fight music is played much faster and in meter. The music accelerates with the progression of the round. It stops at the end of the round or when someone is knocked out. When the fight is exciting, the audience claps in rhythm with the beat of the sampho
The ''samphor'' (; also romanized as ''sampho'') is a small, 2-headed barrel drum indigenous to Cambodia, approximately .35 meter wide by .5 meter long. It has two heads, with one drumhead being larger than the other and is played with both hand ...
(drum).
Modern boxers wear leather gloves and nylon shorts.
Kun Khmer rules:
# A boxer is not allowed to strike his opponent while he is on the ground.
# A boxer is not allowed to bite.
# When an opponent cannot continue, the referee stops the fight.
# Blows to the back of the opponent are not allowed.
# A boxer may not hold on to the ropes.
# Blows to the genitals are prohibited.
Victory can be obtained by knockout. A knockout occurs when a boxer is knocked down to the ground and cannot continue fighting after a 10-second count by the referee, a referee may forgo the count and declare a knockout if it is obvious the boxer will not regain his feet unaided. Victory can be obtained at the end of the match when judges decide by a point system which fighter was more effective. If fighters end up with the same score a draw is called.[
]
Promoters
* Cambodian Television Network
* Bayon Television
* TV5 Cambodia
*National Television of Cambodia
The National Television of Cambodia (TVK; , ) is the national television station of Cambodia. It is owned and operated by the government of Cambodia in Phnom Penh together with the national radio station, National Radio of Cambodia (RNK; ). TVK i ...
* Chip Mong
*Ganzberg Beer
*Hanuman Beer
Notable Kun Khmer boxers
* Eh Phouthong
* Eh Amarin Phouthong
* Thun Sophea
* Lorn Panha
* Pich Sophann
* Pich Sambath
* Keo Rumchong
* Prom Samnang
* Lao Chetra
* Lao Chantrea
* Phal Sophorn
* Chhut Serey Vannthong
* Chhoeung Lvai
* Chey Kosal
* Bird Kham
* Lerk Vibol
* Vorn Viva
* Noun Phirum
* Khim Dima
* Chit Sarim
* Chea Sarak
* Bun Sothea: Two time Kubota champion (54 kg and 60 kg). Student of Thun Sophea.
* Oumry Ban: Former Kun Khmer champion to held the first national title in 1964 at 61 kilograms and current owner of Long Beach Kickboxing Center
* Sen Rady
Image gallery
File:Banteaychhma_pradalserey.png, Thrust kick to the quadriceps. Located at Banteay Chhma temple(12th/13th century)
File:Khmer martial arts.jpg, Thrust Kick
File:Kunkhmer_tekt.jpg, High thrust kick to shoulder and elbow attack to the head. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat(1100s 1100s may refer to:
* The century from 1100 to 1199, almost synonymous with the 12th century
The 12th century is the period from 1101 to 1200 in accordance with the Julian calendar.
In the history of European culture, this period is considere ...
)
File:Front kick.jpg, Front kick to the torso
File:"gup jarn" high roundhouse kick.jpg, High kick demonstration. Located at Bayon
The Bayon (, ) ( ''BAI-on'') is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII (), the Bayon stands at the centre of Jaya ...
temple
File:Romvongpreahchan.jpg, Romvong preah chan(round moon) kick
File:Angkor_Wat_bas-reliefs_(9730951850).jpg, Bas-relief of push kick and leg catch at Angkor Wat(1100s 1100s may refer to:
* The century from 1100 to 1199, almost synonymous with the 12th century
The 12th century is the period from 1101 to 1200 in accordance with the Julian calendar.
In the history of European culture, this period is considere ...
)
File:Catching a kick in khmer martial arts.jpg, Bas-relief
Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces remain attached to a solid background of the same material. The term ''relief'' is from the Latin verb , to raise (). To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that th ...
of intercepting a kick
File:Cambodianboxingdefense.png, Intercepting a kick in Cambodian boxing match
File:Cambodianboxing elbowandkickinterception.png, Elbow attack and intercepting a kick. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat (; , "City/Capital of Wat, Temples") is a Buddhism and Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Located on a site measuring within the ancient Khmer Empire, Khmer capital city of Angkor, it was originally constructed ...
(1100s 1100s may refer to:
* The century from 1100 to 1199, almost synonymous with the 12th century
The 12th century is the period from 1101 to 1200 in accordance with the Julian calendar.
In the history of European culture, this period is considere ...
)
File:Bas-relief from the entrance pillars of the Bayon.jpg, Bas-relief from the entrance pillars of the Bayon
The Bayon (, ) ( ''BAI-on'') is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII (), the Bayon stands at the centre of Jaya ...
of elbow attacks
File:Elbow strike in khmer martial art.jpg, Elbow strike in Khmer martial art
File:ElbowstikeKunKhmer.jpg, Elbow strike in Kun Khmer match
File:Cambodiankickboxingelbowandknee.png, Elbow to the jaw and knee attack. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat (; , "City/Capital of Wat, Temples") is a Buddhism and Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Located on a site measuring within the ancient Khmer Empire, Khmer capital city of Angkor, it was originally constructed ...
(1100s 1100s may refer to:
* The century from 1100 to 1199, almost synonymous with the 12th century
The 12th century is the period from 1101 to 1200 in accordance with the Julian calendar.
In the history of European culture, this period is considere ...
)
File:Angkorwatkneemartialarts.jpg, Knee technique at Angkor Wat(1100s 1100s may refer to:
* The century from 1100 to 1199, almost synonymous with the 12th century
The 12th century is the period from 1101 to 1200 in accordance with the Julian calendar.
In the history of European culture, this period is considere ...
)
File:Flying knee and elbow.jpg, Flying knee and elbow technique used in Khmer martial arts
File:Angkorwatboxing.jpg, Knee attack and punches. Bas-relief at Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat (; , "City/Capital of Wat, Temples") is a Buddhism and Hinduism, Hindu-Buddhist temple complex in Cambodia. Located on a site measuring within the ancient Khmer Empire, Khmer capital city of Angkor, it was originally constructed ...
(1100s 1100s may refer to:
* The century from 1100 to 1199, almost synonymous with the 12th century
The 12th century is the period from 1101 to 1200 in accordance with the Julian calendar.
In the history of European culture, this period is considere ...
)
File:Knee and uppercut strike.jpg, Knee and uppercut strike
File:Cambodianmartialarts.png, A knee strike during a match
File:Stone_Carving_at_Bayon_Temple.png, Bas-relief at the Bayon
The Bayon (, ) ( ''BAI-on'') is a richly decorated Khmer temple related to Buddhism at Angkor in Cambodia. Built in the late 12th or early 13th century as the state temple of the King Jayavarman VII (), the Bayon stands at the centre of Jaya ...
(12th/13th century). In the upper left corner, a martial artist uses a thrust kick on his opponent. In the lower right corner, a martial artist demonstrates a high kick.
See also
*Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport and martial art. Taking place in a boxing ring, it involves two people – usually wearing protective equipment, such as boxing glove, protective gloves, hand wraps, and mouthguards – throwing Punch (combat), punch ...
*Kickboxing
Kickboxing ( ) is a full-contact hybrid Martial arts, martial art and Boxing (disambiguation), boxing type based on punch (combat), punching and kicking. Kickboxing originated in the 1950s to 1970s. The fight takes place in a boxing ring, norma ...
*Lethwei
Lethwei (; International Phonetic Alphabet, IPA: ) or Burmese boxing is a Full contact fighting, full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is considered as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world.}
*
*
*
*
*
* Lethwe ...
*Muay Lao
Muay Lao (, lit. "Lao boxing") is a combat sport from Laos based on ancient Lao martial arts. It incorporates punches, kicks, elbow, and knee strikes. It can be traced back to the 15th century when it was used for military combat during the Lan ...
* Boxe Française
*Khmer Traditional Wrestling
Khmer traditional wrestling ( - ''Baok Cham Bab'') is a folk wrestling style from Cambodia. It has been practiced as far back as the Angkor period and is depicted on the bas-reliefs of certain temples. The earliest form of Khmer traditional wrestl ...
References
Further reading
* Vongs, Moul
"Khmer Boxing"
''Leisure Cambodia'', December 2001, retrieved May 27, 2013.
* The Associated Press
The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit organization, not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City.
Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and produces news reports that are dist ...
"Cambodia to boycott Thai boxing even over name row"
''Turkish Daily News'', October 23, 1999, retrieved November 4, 2006.
* Sieng-You, Thearon
"Boxing Khmère "
''Writing of Angkor N°5 via Les Jeunes Khmers'', retrieved November 4, 2006.
* Mallon, Scott
"Back on their feet"
''The Irrawaddy'', March 2005, retrieved November 4, 2006.
External links
European Khmer Boxing Federation
Fédération des Arts martiaux Khmers
Kun Khmer International Federation
{{Martial arts
Kun Khmer
Cambodian martial arts