Kao Roomchang, Van Chanvey win tourney bouts by knockout

Photo by: Robert Starkweather
Bheut Bunthoeun stares across the ring at Kao Roomchang after the second round Sunday. In the fourth round, Bheut Bunthoeun’s corner threw in the towel, dropping his tournament record to 0-3.

The Phnom Penh Post
Tuesday, 18 August 2009
Robert Starkweather

Kao Roomchang stops Bheut Bunthoeun in the fourth round, and Van Chanvey knocks out Vung Noy in the second in lightweight tournament action at CTN

SHOWING remarkable toughness and huge heart, Bheut Bunthoeun lasted nearly four rounds with Kao Roomchang on Sunday at CTN. In the end, it was Bheut Bunthoeun's corner who forced the stoppage, not his opponent.

After series of brutal low kicks in the fourth round, Bheut Bunthoeun's cornerman, Nuon Soriya, threw in the towel.

It was a smart decision, and probably inevitable.

"It's going to be a very difficult fight," said Meas Sokry, one of Bheut Bunthoeun's trainers, just before opening bell. "[Kao Roomchang] is a lot better than us."

The match Sunday came as part of an 8-man round-robin tournament to determine a challenger for the lightweight title, held by Lao Sinath from the Commando 911 boxing club.

Kao Roomchang is heavily favoured to win, but Long Sophy, the top-ranked contender when the tournament opened July 19, could play the role of spoiler, and Van Chanvey and Vung Noy are also widely favoured to place in the top four. Bheut Bunthoeun, Song Saruth, Naem Chenda and Nuon Mony round out the bottom half of the list.

The stoppage Sunday gave Kao Roomchang his first TKO victory of the tournament. His record now stands at 3-0 with one knockout. Bheut Bunthoeun remains winless in three fights.

Kao Roomchang will fight again September 6, when he faces Nuon Mony. Bheut Bunthoeun will fight again August 30, when he faces Long Sophy.
Van Chanvey KOs Vung Noy

In the second tournament fight Sunday, Van Chanvey scored a controversial knockout over Vung Noy with a knee in the second round.

Against the ropes in the neutral corner early in the second, Van Chanvey landed a knee that dropped Vung Noy to the canvas writhing in pain and clutching at his crotch.

Referee Sok Vichay stepped in and gave the 10 count, which Vung Noy failed to beat.

"He hit me in the groin," said Vung Noy afterward, grimacing and still holding his crotch as he exited the ring.

Sok Vichay disagreed, indicating the blow landed at the belt, or slightly below.

The victory improves Van Chanvey's tournament record to 2-1 with two knockouts. Vung Noy drops to 1-2 with one knockout.

Van Chanvey fights again August 30, when he faces Naem Chenda. Vung Noy fights again September 6, when he faces Song Saruth.

The lightweight tournament continues every Sunday through November at CTN.