Thai boxing ‘king’ Buakaw Banchamek, who has been out of action for three years, revealed his intention to impress against Belarusian champion Varats Dzmitry at the World Fight Tournament on July 6.
Bukhav arrived in Phnom Penh on July 4 and posted the message ‘See you on the 6th Kun Khmer’ to social media. He also posted several videos of intense workouts.
“I have competed in Cambodia before, but due to the Covid-19 crisis, I missed three years. However, I have not been resting, but training,” he said.
“I have never met this fighter, but I have watched footage of him and I think it will be an interesting and exciting fight for the spectators. I have competed in Cambodia twice before, but the World Fight Tournaments is the biggest Cambodian event so far,” added the so-called boxing king of Thailand.
Vath Chamroeun, secretary general of the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia, considered the event a great chance to promote Kun Khmer.
“Please stop arguing about Kun Khmer martial arts and Muay Thai! When competing abroad, we compete in Muay Thai, but when in Cambodia we compete in Kun Khmer. They develop their sport, we develop our sport,” he said.
Two recent SEA Games gold medalists, Mean Mekhea and Beut Sangkum, were ready to showcase Kun Khmer to the world.
“Although at the games I competed in kickboxing, returning to Kun Khmer is not a problem. It’s the foundation of my combat skills. I am determined to win, and raise the reputation of myself and my nation’s martial art,” said Sangkum.
“Even though I am a gold medalist at the SEA Games in Vovinam, there is not much pressure in this Kun Khmer martial art competition because I have trained a lot so far. We are Cambodians, and have to protect our image. I am resolute. I will beat my Brazilian opponent and boost the profile of Kun Khmer,” added Mekhea.
The event, to be held at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, features six fights.
