SEA Games gold medallist Kun Khmer exponent Lao Chantrea considers his upcoming title fight in the over-78kg division against Thai veteran Saiyok Pumpanmuang on February 23 in Takeo province as the perfect opportunity to prove his skills and reclaim his reputation.

Chantrea conceded that his form has declined in recent years, a stark contrast to seven or eight years ago when he was a dominant fighter, feared by opponents. Back then, he frequently secured victories in major fights, often knocking out his rivals with his powerful knee strikes and effective punching techniques.

Reflecting on his past achievements, Lao Chantrea expressed his emotions in a social media post.

“I truly miss the fighter I used to be. It's been eight years already. If you ask me how much I earned back then, well, it was nothing compared to now,” he wrote.

He revealed that in the past, a single fight would only earn him $300 to $400, whereas now, elite fighters can earn $5,000 to $6,000 per match. This financial incentive has been a key motivator for Chantrea to intensify his training in hopes of regaining his former strength.
“I have to keep going — that’s what gives life meaning. If I train hard, maybe I can get back at least some of what I lost,” added the 31-year-old.

As part of his journey to reclaim his peak form, Chantrea sees this fight against Saiyok, an experienced 41-year-old Thai fighter, as a crucial moment to prove himself to his fans.

“Let me ask my fans — if I can get back to at least 70 per cent of my former self, will you still support me? To all my Takeo fans, see you on February 23! I’m facing Saiyok, and I’ll show you that the old Chantrea is back! Maybe not at 100%, but at least at 70%!” he declared.

Saiyok responded with some trash talk in a short video.

“Lao Chantrea, you better train hard before facing me! If you don’t take your training seriously, watch out — over time, you might slow down and lose your edge!” he warned.

This war of words has fueled excitement for their title fight, making it one of the most anticipated bouts of the year so far. Many other skilled Cambodian fighters will also be competing in domestic and international matches at the February 22-23 event.

Many fighters, fans and trainers have already started making their predictions about the upcoming bout. Some support Chantrea, while others favour Saiyok, believing the Thai veteran still has the upper hand. In his two previous fights in Cambodia, in 2024, Saiyok won one by knockout against Thun Rithy and drew the second match.

“Lately, Chantrea has lost his form, which is why many fans are leaning towards supporting Saiyok. However, the final outcome will depend on the fight itself. I see that Chantrea has a slight height advantage, and this time, he’s been training extremely hard,” noted Mol Ny, the organiser of the event.