January 31, 2024
PHNOM PENH – SEA Games gold medallist Lao Chantrea will take on Thai boxer Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee in “The Battle of Kings” event, set to take place at the National Television of Cambodia (TVK) on the night of February 4.
On the same day, Thorn Rithy will be searching for redemption in his rematch against experienced Thai competitor Saiyok Pumpanmuang.
Mol Ny, head of match promotions at TVK, announced Chantrea’s match on January 29, noting that the station, in Phnom Penh’s Prek Aeng commune of Chbar Ampov district, was honoured to host his Thai opponent.
This is the third time that Sudsakorn, who competes in the elite-level Thai Fight Ring, has fought in the Kingdom.
In April last year, the Thai suffered a points loss at the hands of local favourite Prum Samnang in a 75kg class match-up at the Krud Kun Khmer event.
Later that year, he fought veteran Kun Khmer exponent Ung Vireak, but was only able to secure a draw.
He will be hoping his luck changes in his third match on Cambodian soil.
Rithy’s rematch with Saiyok was announced a week earlier, following Rithy’s second round knockout of gutsy Iranian fighter Choli Zadeh Abolfazl , at the Krud Kun Khmer event in Kratie province.
After his win, he described how he was looking forward for a chance to revenge himself against Saiyok.
Saiyok knocked him out in the second round when the pair met at the October 2022 Thai Fight event, but the result was not without controversy.
During the first round, Rithy shook his opponent with an aggressive fighting style, with the bell narrowly saving the Thai fighter from being counted out. According to Rithy, the loss still smarts.
Ahead of the match, his coach Thun Sophea, spoke about the excellent condition his fighter is in.
“We have trained Rithy harder and we are making sure he is as fit and healthy as possible. He has completely recovered from the exertions of his recent victory over an Iranian boxer, and is ready to go,” he said.
“He is determined to avenge the result of their last match and has resolved to compete with all his heart,” he added.
TVK’s Ny believed that each of the fights scheduled for the “Battle of Kings” event would be a treat for fight fans. He also noted the unprecedented nature of the event.
“We have pitted high level Thai boxers against Cambodian fighters before, it is true, and Sudsakorn has fought here, but this is the first time two elite-level Thai Fight competitors have fought in the same Cambodian ring on the same day,” he said.
“No other TV stations or fight promoters have been able to make this happen before,” he added.
He explained that as two of the most experienced entrants, Saiyok and Sudsakorn are considered veterans, or team leaders, in the Thai Fight arena. This will be the first time the two have travelled to the Kingodm together.
Ny added that the “Battle of Kings” will also feature other international boxers.