Thanks to his more than 400,000 followers on various social media channels, people could be forgiven for believing Sy Kimsong had dedicated his life to the art of mastering the ins and outs of Kun Khmer.

But Kimsong – one of Cambodia’s most popular present-day boxing commentators, known as Admin KS to his legion of fans – was regarded as an academic star as a young man, and he, thanks to his early mastery of the English language, originally wanted to become a tour guide.

Few fans listening to his captivating commentary and pinpoint focus on the technicalities of the Kingdom’s ancestral combat sport would believe such an artiste of the Khmer language initially intended to make a living in a foreign tongue.

Fortunately for fight fans, Kimsong’s path was far from what he expected, and he is now working to promote Kun Khmer both domestically and internationally.

It is not fair to say that Kimsong was ever far from the sport. As he and his two older brothers – Kimsun and Kinsan – grew up in a rural community in Kampong Thom province, they were surrounded by a boxing legacy.

Kimsong’s father, Ke Ser, trained aspiring fighters in their home village of Tradak Pong village, in Taing Kouk district’s Pong Ror commune.

Of the three siblings, it was Kimsun, the middle child, who followed the path of a fighter, competing nationally and even stepping into the ring in Phnom Penh.

Beyond a passing interest in boxing, he was deeply passionate about football and volleyball, even harbouring professional aspirations. His parents advised against it, stressing the importance of his education, as he was already proving to be an exceptional student.

Because of this, the family supported his academic pursuits, hoping he would secure a stable career. And to finance his studies and contribute to the family, he took on part-time roles as a waiter.

An exemplary student from Grade 1 to Grade 12, he mastered English at an early age despite his rural background. This allowed him to offer translation services to foreign visitors to his hometown, an additional source of income.

Moving to Phnom Penh in 2012 to pursue a bachelor’s degree in tourism at the National University of Management (NUM), to supplement his income as a receptionist, he “began taking international visitors to boxing matches. They often rewarded me with generous tips”, he recalls.

‘Heart-wrenching truth’

It was during his frequent visits to the boxing rings that he confronted the harsh reality many boxers face. He witnessed fighters grappling with severe injuries, including broken limbs and multiple fractures, yet receiving little to no support.

“I had naively assumed that injured boxers would be adequately supported, but the truth was heart-wrenching. Some, even after surgery, had to take a tuk-tuk home.

“The stark contrast between my assumptions and the reality deeply affected me. I resolved that if I ever became a part of the Kun Khmer community, I would ensure that no boxer would endure such hardships,” he explains.

Kimsong was moved, and founded the Kun Khmer Foundation in 2016. Its mission was to galvanise philanthropic support for boxers grappling with critical injuries.

While the Covid-19 pandemic forced the foundation to temporarily close, he reopened the foundation in March and has since increased the funds allocated to gravely injured boxers to 1,670,000 riel (around $400).

“The foundation was my heartfelt response to the plight of grievously injured boxers. While television networks may cover initial treatment expenses, the subsequent two to three months are often overlooked.

“What happens during their recovery phase? This is where our foundation steps in, ensuring that no injured boxer feels isolated or powerless, especially when they’re sidelined from the sport they love,” he says.

In an effort to further aid injured boxers, he leveraged support from fans and launched a boxing promotion page as a revenue stream.

The venture, which began as a means to an end, became his primary source of income, especially after he left his receptionist position in 2021, amid the pandemic’s challenges and the birth of his first child.

During the economic slump, he pivoted to producing short videos highlighting notable Kun Khmer matches. He shared these on social media platforms like Facebook and monetised them on YouTube, with some of them racking up over a million views.

As his digital footprint expanded, he drew the attention of a well known promoter identified only as Ratha. Impressed by Kimsong’s dedication and distinctive voice, Ratha offered him a position working for his boxing site, ensuring a steady income through ad placements.

“Ratha recognised my potential and acknowledged the traction my YouTube videos received. I initially turned the offer down, as I feared a potential backlash or negative comments. The thought of doing voiceovers for the platform was unfamiliar territory, and I felt unprepared,” he recalls.

Ratha eventually convinced him to take the role. The reputation he’d built through the Kun Khmer Foundation meant he wasn’t starting from scratch – many fans recognised and supported him.

‘Dedicated to evolving’

This backing proved invaluable when, in October 2021, he was presented with a golden opportunity – to commentate for the Kun Khmer All Stars, a platform founded by Sorn Elit. He encountered a mix of admiration and criticism.

“When I commentated for the 1st and 2nd Kun Khmer All Star events, I met with criticism that was often personal and unnecessarily harsh.

“Some critiques even stretched as far as involving my wife. Many drew comparisons between me and veteran commentators. People on social media demanded my removal. This was distressing and made me reconsider my commitment.

“But Elit remained supportive. He believed in my potential and in fostering fresh talent. While I understood some of the criticism, given my occasional stumbles and redundancies during high-pressure events, I was resolute. Mistakes were made, but I was, and remain, dedicated to learning and evolving,” he says.

Kimsong took proactive steps to enhance his skills, leaning heavily on his wife who meticulously reviewed his work.

Eager to hone his abilities, he sought mentorship from esteemed boxing commentator Sitho Nathan, who he admired deeply. He carefully studied Nathan’s commentary, aspiring to adopt a similar finesse in his own delivery.

‘Integrating key Khmer phrases’

His dedication didn’t go unnoticed. What set him apart – and garnered admiration from Kun Khmer aficionados – was his meticulous usage of technical terminology.

“I felt the tide turn in my favour during my commentary at the 4th Kun Khmer All Stars event at the Town Ring, when I focused on the intricate nuances of Kun Khmer styles.

“This unique approach resonated with fans, and their appreciation was evident,” he explains.

Capitalising on his rising fame, he began live streaming major boxing matches on his Facebook page, “Admin Kimsong”.

The highlight of his streaming career came when well-known Cambodian boxer Thoeun Theara clinched a dramatic first-round victory against Thai opponent Saiyok Sakchainrong, securing his first Thai Fight title in December last year.

“That particular live stream elevated my presence in the Kun Khmer community. The bout was a significant moment in Kun Khmer history, and reached over 230,000 views.

“I was proud to play a role in promoting Kun Khmer’s legacy. In a gesture of support, I raised five million riel for Theara,” he says.

Riding the wave of his success, Kimsong was appointed as the commentator for the 7th Kun Khmer All Stars event in the French capital Paris on June 24 this year. Since then, his career has flourished, with a significant uptick in his earnings.

While he has made a name for himself as a ringside commentator, he humbly admits that there’s more to master. While his analysis from the sidelines is popular, he remains apprehensive about stepping into the ring and commenting.

“I’ve got more to learn when it comes to in-ring commentary. I’m also keen on refining my English commentary. I envision a commentary style where I integrate key Khmer words and phrases, preserving and promoting the legacy of our ancestral martial art. This is important to elevate Kun Khmer and showcase it to a global audience,” he says.

Kimsong’s journey is a testament to the power of adaptability and finding purpose in unexpected places. He might have started with dreams of delving deep into Cambodia’s rich history and sharing it with visitors as a tour guide, but fate had other plans.

“I envisioned myself guiding tourists through the magnificent Angkor Wat or narrating tales of the mighty Khmer Empire.

“But sometimes, life redirects you in new ways. Becoming a commentator wasn’t part of my plan, but it has given me a platform to serve my nation in a different capacity,” he says.

While he may not be introducing tourists to architectural wonders, he has found an equally important role popularising Kun Khmer on the international stage, supporting injured boxers and creating awareness about the sport’s cultural significance.

“The day that Theara clinched victory in Thailand, the pride and joy that echoed across Cambodia was palpable.

“Watching my fellow countrymen celebrate Kun Khmer’s success made me realise that even if I’m not showcasing Cambodia’s history, I’m doing my part to elevate national pride,” he says.