Ancient Warriors, Modern Stage: Kun Khmer in America
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 05 Apr 2025
April 12 is going to be loud. Not just from the crowd or the announcer’s voice cutting through the air, but from the thud of gloves, the rhythm of bare feet, and the sting of elbows and knees. Inside Thunder Studios in Long Beach, fighters from Cambodia and the United States will meet—face to face, style to style. But what’s happening here isn’t just a fight. It’s a tradition stepping into view.
Kun Khmer is more than a combat sport. In Cambodia, it’s part of the fabric. It’s known as Pradal Serey too, depending on where and when you learned it. What matters is what it looks like: fast strikes, clinch work, elbows that cut, knees that lift from the hips. It’s precise, but not polished. It’s rough around the edges in the way that feels honest. And it’s old—really old. The roots run back to Bokator, the martial system from the Khmer Empire. If you look at the stone walls of Angkor Wat, you’ll see fighters drawn in motion. They’ve been there for centuries.
This year, the timing feels right. On April 6, Long Beach will host the Cambodia Town Parade & Culture Festival. It’s colorful, warm, and full of music. People bring their families, wave flags, eat food that smells like home. It starts at MacArthur Park and ends near Long Beach City College. Just six days later, the energy from that parade will roll into the ring. Same pride, different rhythm.
The lineup is strong. Cambodia’s team brings Thun Rithy, Pich Sambat, Eh Yanut, and Reung Sophoan. Team USA steps up with Shane Oblonsky, Edgar Tabares, Izjadin Bekteshi, and Fayeda An. Others like Tony Khath and Dominic Cuaresma round out the card. There’s no filler. Everyone is here for a reason.
A few weeks ago, on March 28, a 7.7 earthquake hit central Myanmar. The shock spread across Southeast Asia. Cambodia felt it too. The fighters who are coming to Long Beach weren’t injured, but everyone from that part of the world understands what something like that means. Moments like this—being together, showing what you can do—feel heavier. And maybe more important.
Senator Manny Pacquiao has spent time with some of the Kun Khmer athletes. He trained with them once, just to see how they move.
Manny Pacquiao and Eh Yanut.
He respects the craft. He once said, “I am a strong proponent of conditioning, like running, to improve my footwork. Footwork has brought me far in boxing.” He wasn’t just being polite. He saw it. The timing, the base, the flow—it’s all there.
The Cambodian Kun Khmer Team with Robert “Bob” Lyons (far right)
A name that won’t be in the spotlight, but probably should, is Robert Lyons. He’s the president of StarFlite International. He’s also the one who helped make sure the Cambodian fighters could actually be here. Working with the Cambodian Consulate, he helped with travel, documents, health protocols—basically, everything. He also supports programs like A New Day Cambodia and works with people tied to Pacquiao’s foundation. He’s not loud about it. Doesn’t have to be.
No one gets into the ring without clearing medical checks. Every fighter has had an MRI, full blood panels, and a physical. That’s not just a safety box to tick—it’s about showing that Kun Khmer belongs up there with any other international fighting sport. It’s serious. And it’s ready.
Ready for America
Before any fighting happens, the athletes pause. They perform something called the tvay kru. It’s a ritual—a way of saying thank you to the people who taught them, and to the ones who came before. It’s slow and serious. The drums and wind instruments set the pace. For a minute, it’s not about power or speed. It’s about respect.
When the fights begin, it won’t just be about who wins or loses. It’s about something carried forward—something bigger than any one night. This is a story told through movement. And when the bell rings, that story keeps going.
Acknowledgements:
Special thanks to the efforts of Neak Onkha SamAng Vattanac of Krud Energy Drink, Cambodia (Vattanac Brewery Co,.LTD who produce Krud Energy, Krud Beer , V-Active Sports).
And Rosewood Hotel for hosting the team members of Cambodia and USA.
To PhilBoxing.com for the continued efforts in spreading the message about boxing, culture and the martial arts.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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