CTN announces tournament of 8 Kun Khmer champions

Photo by: ROBERT STARKWEATHER
Fighting for a top prize of 5 million riels at CTN boxing arena (from left to right): Sam Ounluong, Poy Neurn, Phan Sothy, Cheam Adam, Ei Kosal, Khun Makara, Sok Ratha and Seung Kangsan.

The Phnom Penh Post
Friday, 04 September 2009
Robert Starkweather

Eight finalists from the Kun Khmer Champion reality television series will fight in a single-elimination tournament for a total purse of 10 million riels

THE top eight fighters from CTN's reality television series Kun Khmer Champion will face off in a sudden-death tournament for a total of 10 million riels (US$2,409) in cash prizes, the network announced Thursday.

The tournament begins September 9 at the CTN boxing arena and includes the top four winners from both season one and season two of the show.

In the tradition of Kun Khmer Champion, fighters will represent their home province in the tournament, instead of their clubs.

In the first round Wednesday, Khun Makara will face Ei Kosal, and Phan Sothy will face Cheam Adam. Sok Ratha will face Seung Kangsan, and Sam Ounluong will face Poy Neurn on September 26.

Winners from the first round will compete in the semifinals, scheduled for October 10. Losers will be eliminated.

Winning semifinalists will fight for first and second place, while losing semifinalists will have a third/fourth place bout Saturday October 24.

Prizes are 5 million riels, 2.5 million riels, 1.5 million riels and 1 million riels for first, second, third and fourth place, respectively.

Produced by CTN, Kun Khmer Champion concluded its second season in June. The series put 12 fighters together in the same house to live and train. Through weekly bouts, the dozen were whittled down to a single champion over the course of the show.

In season two, Sam Ounluong from Prey Veng knocked out Poy Neurn of Siem Reap to take first place, and Battambang's Phan Sothy beat Kampot's Sok Ratha in the fight for third and fourth.

In season one, Cheam Adam from Kampong Cham beat Ei Kosal from Kratie, to become champion, and Seung Kangsan from Kandal beat Khun Makara, also of Kandal, in the contest for third and fourth.

In his last outing, Cheam Adam fought Sam Ounluong as an undercard attraction to the international bouts held August 20 at CTN. Cheam Adam came back from a second-round knockdown to score a third-round knockout.

Season one concluded in July 2008, and except for Cheam Adam, who has fought once every month since, other season-one finalists have drifted away from the sport over the last year.