Fight for new 63.5-kg title on at TV3 arena

via Khmer NZ

Friday, 23 July 2010 15:00 Robert Starkweather

CLUB Koh Kong sensation Phon Phanna will face off against three other top-ranked contenders in a four-man round-robin tournament beginning tomorrow at TV3 boxing arena.

Over the next several weeks, Phon Phanna, Van Chanvey, Nuon Phireak and Cheam Adam will all go against each other, with the ultimate tournament winner laying claim to TV3’s inaugural 63.5-kilogram title and a 6 million riels (US$1,430) cash prize.

Phon Phanna will meet Cheam Adam tomorrow in the opening match, while Van Chanvey is scheduled to face Nuon Phireak the following Saturday.

Phon Phanna returned to Cambodia in December after several years of fighting in Thailand. He is so far unbeaten in more than a dozen professional fights.

Van Chanvey took first place in a similar eight-man tournament held at the CTN boxing arena earlier this year. In that contest, which concluded in January, the Club Preah Khan Reach powerhouse annihilated the lower ranks and scored huge upsets over Long Sophy and Kao Roomchang.

Ministry of Interior boxing club veteran Nuon Phireak has largely been inactive of late. His most notable recent appearance came as a contender in an eight-man round-robin tournament that concluded in March at the TV5 boxing arena, where he went 0-4 and bombed out in the group stage. He is, however, a former champion, and one of but a few fighters to claim victories over Van Chanvey.

Cheam Adam rose to national attention in 2008 as the inaugural winner of CTN’s boxing reality series, Kun Khmer Champion. However, it is questionable whether he is ready for this level of competition.