Thoeun Theara (Khmer: ធឿន ធារ៉ា), (born May 5, 1996) is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. In 2022, he rose to fame after becoming the first Cambodian boxer to win a title at a Thai Fight event when he won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek 72.5 kg King's Cup Championship by knocking out Thai star Saiyok Pumpanmuang in Thailand.[2] After defeating Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization (WMO) ranked Theara #1 in the world Muaythai middleweight rankings (72.5 kg) category.[3][4] Theara is considered one of the most successful fighters in Kun Khmer.[5] The Star described Thoeun Theara as a "Cambodian Bruce Lee" who is known for using furious punches and kicks in his competition fights.[6]

Thoeun Theara
ធឿន ធារ៉ា
Born (1996-05-05) May 5, 1996 (age 28)
Prey Veng province, Cambodia
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight72 kg (159 lb; 11 st 5 lb)
StyleKun Khmer Martial Arts
TeamKoh Kong Provincial Martial Arts Association
TrainerEh Phouthong[1]
Years active2017–present
Kickboxing record
Total137
Wins104
By knockout63
Losses27
Draws06

Early life

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Thoeun Theara was born in the Prey Veng province in Cambodia. He spent years working as a labourer in Thailand with his parents. In 2013, when Theara was 15, after a visit to his hometown in Prey Veng with his parents, the family moved back to Cambodia and worked "for a brick making business nearby Phnom Penh.[4]

Career

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In 2018, Theara was selected for the Kun Khmer National Team.[7]

On July 16, 2023, for his return to the ring after breaking his right arm in April 2023, Theara defeated Romanian Alex Bublea, at the 72 kg weight class to win the Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Championship belt. 500,000 viewers watched the live stream of the event on social media.[8]

On January 1, 2023, after he defeated two top ranked Muaythai fighters in Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization (WMO) recognized Kun Khmer and put Theara in first place in the world ranking 72.5 kg weight category, becoming the first Kun Khmer athlete to be recognized by the World Muaythai Organization (WMO).[3][4]

On November 5, 2023, Theara faced Brazilian Daniel Torres and won by KO.[9][10]

In November 23, 2023, Theara competed and won the 72kg Kun Khmer 8 MEN Tournament IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion in Phnom Penh and got a pickup car from Ganzberg.[10][11] Thoeun Theara met with Brazilian boxer Bento in the final of the 8 man tournament and defeated the Brazilian player in the first round. [12] After the knockout loss in Cambodia, Bento was striped of his Rajadamnern middleweight title. Joe Ryan fought Petchmai and claimed the vacant Rajadamnern Stadium middleweight title.[13] [14]

In a South Korean Kun Khmer event, Thoeun Theara is schedule to fight Victor Teixeira, a Brazilian world champion who notably defeated Kongthailand Kiatnavy at ONE Friday Fight 20.[15]

Championships and accomplishments

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  • Forbes 30 under 30 Asia - Sports & Entertainment 2024[16]

Kun Khmer

  •   Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion 72 kg Championship belt
  •   Krud Kun Khmer 72 kg Championship belt
  •   IPCC International 72 kg World Championship[17]
  •   IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion (Kun Khmer 8 Men Tournament)

Muaythai

Kun Khmer record

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Professional Kun Khmer record
Total fights 137, 104 wins (63 (T)KOs), 27 losses, 6 draws[18]
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
15/09/2024 Win   Victor Teixeira Kun Khmer in South Korea Soul, South Korea KO 3 2:35
15/05/2024 Win   Ji Long Theng Town Boxing[19] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 1 00:05
13/04/2024 Win   Podgornov Andrei Town Boxing[20] Kampong Cham, Cambodia KO 1 00:30
14/03/2024 Win   Pavel Grishanovich Town Boxing[21] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 3
14/03/2024 Win   Kim Hyunjun Town Boxing[22] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 1 1:30
19/01/2024 Win   Jiao Zhou Kungfu Ganzberg Kun Khmer-Kungfu[23] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 1 2:50
31/12/2023 Win   Sofian Champion Kun Khmer [24] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 3 1:00
14/12/2023 Draw   Hassan Vahdani Bayon TV Boxing[25] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 3
05/11/2023 Win   Daniel Torres Wurkz Kun Khmer Warriors[26] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 2 1:42
20/10/2023 Win   Aboofazei Goodarzi Kubota Kun Khmer Champion[27] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 2 1:10
10/09/2023 Win   Nikita Gerasisimovich Kun Khmer Grand Champion[28] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 2 0:25
16/07/2023 Win   Alex Bublea Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion[29] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 1 0:50
23/04/2023 Loss   Kongjak Kun Khmer Super Fights[30] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 5 03:00
08/04/2023 Win   Kangmuang Chhang Wurkz World Kun Khmer Fight[31] Kampot, Cambodia Decision 3 03:00
18/03/2023 Win   Sammy Banchamek Krud Kun Khmer Fight[32] Cambodia Decision 5 3:00
26/02/2023 Win   Oussama Elkouche Bayon TV Boxing [33] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 2 00:52
18/02/2023 Win   Chhoeung Lvai Krud Championship Match [34] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 1 00:50
18/02/2023 Win   Petchmai Krud Championship Semi-Final[35] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 1 00:07
11/02/2023 Win   Thiago Teixeira IPCC World Champion Kun Khmer[36] Svay Rieng, Cambodia KO 4 00:06
29/01/2023 Draw   Sammy Banchamek Krud Kun Khmer[37] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
14/01/2023 Win   Kongthailand Kiatnavy PNN Sports [38] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 5
31/12/2022 Win   Beckham Banchamek Wurkz Kun Khmer[39] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 3 3:00
20/10/2022 Win   Petchmai International friendly match TUK Fighter[40] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 3
04/09/2022 Win   Detrit Sathian PNN Boxing[41] Phnom Penh, Cambodia TKO 3
25/07/2022 Win   Payak Samui Kun Khmer Allstar [42] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 3 3:00
02/07/2022 Win   Fahpayak Suekblack Town Boxing [43] Prey Veng, Cambodia TKO 2 2:00
25/06/2022 Draw   Satanfah Rachanon IPCC Kun Khmer Svay Rieng, Cambodia Decision 3
25/03/2022 Win   Yodkhunpon Sitmonchai Kun Khmer All Star 3[44] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 1 0:50
02/10/2021 Loss   Prom Samnang CNC Boxing[45] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5 3:00
31/07/2021 Loss   Lao Chantrea CNC Boxing[46] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 2 0:18
14/01/2021 Win   Chhoeung Lvai Madrid Kun Khmer[47] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
14/12/2020 Win   Thunsaphun International friendly match CTN Boxing[48] Phnom Penh, Cambodia KO 3 01:04
28/11/2020 Win   Em Lengly Bayon TV Boxing[49] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
26/09/2020 Win   Long Sovandoeun CNC Boxing[50] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
28/06/2020 Draw   Roeung Sophorn CNC Boxing[51] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
14/06/2020 Loss   Lao Chantrea CNC Boxing[52] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
30/05/2020 Draw   Roeung Sophorn CNC Boxing[53] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
23/05/2020 Win   Long Sovandoeun CNC Boxing[54] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 5
27/01/2018 Win   Julien CNC Boxing[55] Phnom Penh, Cambodia Decision 3
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Muay Thai record

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Professional Muaythai record
15 wins, 5 loss, 3 draws
Date Result Opponent Event Location Method Round Time
24/12/2022 Win   Saiyok Pumpanmuang Thai Fight Champion - King Rama X[56] Bangkok, Thailand KO 1 2:42
20/11/2022 Win   Yurik Davtyan Thai Fight[57] Thailand TKO 1
23/09/2022 Loss   Thananchai Sitsongpeenong RWS: Rajadamnern World Series [58] Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3
14/4/2019 Win   Boonlong Puyfourman Max Muay Thai Ultimate[59] Bangkok, Thailand KO 3 1:35
24/02/2019 Loss   Luke Bar Max Muay Thai Ultimate[60] Bangkok, Thailand Decision 3
06/05/2018 Loss   Kitti Sor.Jor.Danrayong Max Muay Thai Ultimate[61] Bangkok, Thailand KO 2 00:10
27/03/2018 Win   Petchtongchai Sor Seubsak Max Muay Thai Ultimate[62] Bangkok, Thailand KO 2 0:25
26/03/2018 Win   Numkabuan Kiatnavy Max Muay Thai Ultimate[63] Bangkok, Thailand KO 2 0:38
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References

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  1. ^ Sina, N. (February 24, 2023). "ឧកញ៉ា ព្រាប សុវត្ថិ ឧបត្ថម្ភដល់កីឡាករ ធឿន ធារ៉ា និងលោកគ្រូ អេ ភូថង រាប់ពាន់ដុល្លារ [Oknha Preap Sovath donates thousands of dollars to Thoeun Theara and E Phouthang]". Oknha News.
  2. ^ Chhorn Norn (26 December 2023). "Theara becomes first Khmerdog boxer to take Thai title with first round stoppage". The Phnom Penh Post.
  3. ^ a b "WMO - World Middleweight Rankings 72.575 kg - 160 lbs". World Muay Thai Association. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c Chhorn Norn (17 January 2023). "Prey Veng's Theara: Bricks to boxing". The Phnom Penh Post. After the victory, the WMO [...] put Theara in first place in the 72.5 kg weight category.
  5. ^ Chean Virakbot (December 21, 2023). "ធឿន ធារ៉ា ឆ្លើយតបយ៉ាងពេញចិត្តទៅ Bravo ដែលទារតម្លៃ២០ម៉ឺនដុល្លារ [Thoeun Theara responds favorably to Bravo for $ 200,000]". Kampuchea Thmey (in Khmer). Thoeun Theara is becoming the most successful Khmer boxer in both domestic and international competitions.
  6. ^ Navalan, S. (2024, May 18). Cambodian Bruce Lee named in prestigious Forbes '30 Under 30 – Asia' list. The Star. https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2024/05/18/cambodian-bruce-lee-named-in-prestigious-forbes-30-under-30---asia-list
  7. ^ Sina, N. (February 19, 2018). "ធឿន ធារ៉ា ជាប់ជាកីឡាករជម្រើសជាតិឆ្នាំ២០១៨ [Thoeun Theara named to the 2018 national team]". Sabay News.
  8. ^ Nonn, C (July 17, 2023). "ធឿន ធារ៉ា និង ព្រំ សំណាង បានឈ្នះ ខ្សែក្រវាត់ ស្របពេល សង្វៀន ថោ ន បាន បង្កើត ប្រវត្តិសាស្ត្រ ថ្មីសម្រាប់ គុន ខ្មែរ [Thoeun Theara and Prom Samnang win belts while Town Arena makes new history for Khmer martial arts]". Post Khmer (in Khmer).
  9. ^ "Honours even in thrilling fight between Prom Samnang and "Steel Giraffe" Dave Leduc". Khmer Times. November 6, 2023.
  10. ^ a b Chhon Nonn (November 8, 2023). "ការ វ៉ៃ យក ឡាន របស់ ធឿន ធារ៉ា បាន ក្លាយជា មេកា និក ប្រកួត ថ្មី មិន ធ្លាប់ មាននៅ កម្ពុជា [Thoeun Theara's car crash becomes the new match mechanic in Cambodia]". Post Khmer (in Khmer).
  11. ^ Chhorn Norn (15 November 2023). "Eight-fighter Kun Khmer event set to test Theara". The Phnom Penh Post.
  12. ^ Bento ធានាថា ធារ៉ា ប្រាកដជាសន្លប់ជាមិនខាន បើសិន ប៉ះគ្នាម្តងទៀត [Bento guarantees that Theara will faint if they meet again]. (n.d.). Cambo Sport. https://cambosport.net/2023/12/12962/
  13. ^ Joe Ryan to face Petchmai for Rajadamnern Stadium title. (2023, December 8). Fight Record. https://fightrecord.co.uk/rws-muay-thai/joe-ryan-to-face-petchmai-for-rajadamnern-stadium-title/
  14. ^ Joe Ryan Wins Rajadamnern Stadium Title, Makes History As First Ever British Fighter To Win The Title. (2023, December 17). Fight Record. https://fightrecord.co.uk/rws-muay-thai/joe-ryan-wins-rajadamnern-stadium-title-makes-history-as-first-ever-british-fighter-to-win-the-title/
  15. ^ Norn, C. (2024, September 13). Kun Khmer fighters ready for historic South Korean tournament. Asia News Network. https://asianews.network/kun-khmer-fighters-ready-for-historic-south-korean-tournament/
  16. ^ Chhorn Norn (18 May 2024). "30 under 30 Asia 2024 - Sports & Entertainment". Forbes.
  17. ^ Thoeun Theara Vs Thiago/I PCC KUN KHMER World Championship ៥ទឹក ១ទឹក ៣នាទី-, retrieved 2023-09-19
  18. ^ Theara's Biography on My Kun Khmer
  19. ^ Thoeun Theara Vs Ji Long Theng, Phnom Penh, May 15, 2024
  20. ^ Thoeun Theara Vs Podgornov Andrei, Kampong Cham, April 13, 2024
  21. ^ Thoeun Theara vs. Pavel Grishanovich, Town Arena, March 14, 2024
  22. ^ Thoeun Theara Vs Kim Hyunjun, Town Arena, March 14, 2024
  23. ^ Ganzberg Kun Khmer-Kungfu: Thoeun Theara Vs Jiao Zhou (China), Komboul Phnom Penh, Town Arena, 19 January 2024
  24. ^ Champion Kun Khmer: Thoeun Theara Vs Sofian Morocco, Phnom Penh, Town Arena, 31 January 2024
  25. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Hassan Vahdani, December 14, 2023
  26. ^ Wurkz សេនាគុនខ្មែរពិភពលោក: Thoeun Theara Vs Daniel Torres, Chipmong Mega Mall, Town, 05 November 2023
  27. ^ Kubota Kun Khmer Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Aboofazei Goodarzi, BTV Arena, 20 October 2023
  28. ^ Kun Khmer Grand Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Nikita Gerasisimovich at Town TV, 10 September 2023
  29. ^ Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Alex Bublea at Town TV, 16 July 2023
  30. ^ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e66SkQjQ4tA&ab_channel=KunKhmerSuperFights
  31. ^ Wurkz World Kun Khmer Fight: Thoeun Theara VS Kangmuang Chhang at Wurkz Town Arena from Kampot,
  32. ^ Krud Kun Khmer Fight: Thoeun Theara VS Sammy Banachamek March 18, 2023,
  33. ^ Bayon Boxing: Thoeun Theara VS Oussama Elkouche at the Bayon Arena, 26th /02/2023
  34. ^ Krud Championship Match: Thoeun Theara vs. Chhoeung Lvai at Krud Arena, 18/ 02/2023
  35. ^ Krud Championship Qualifier Match: Thuoen Theara VS Petchmai at Krud Arena, 18/ 02/2023
  36. ^ IPCC Kun Khmer International Championship Title: Thuoen Theara VS Thiago Teixeira at Wurks arena, 11 February 2023
  37. ^ International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Sammy Banchamek at Krud Kun Khmer, January 29, 2023
  38. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Kong
  39. ^ International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Beckham Bigwin at Wurkz arena *THOEUN THEARA Vs Beckham Bigwin Champion Gym (WBO International Middle weight world Title)
  40. ^ International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Petchmai at TUK Fighter arena, February 18, 2023
  41. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Detrit, September 04, 2022
  42. ^ [International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Payaksamui at Wurkz Town arena] *[ THOEUN THEARA Vs Payaksamui ]
  43. ^ Thoeun Theara vs. Fahpayak Suekblack
  44. ^ Thoeun Theara vs. Yodkhunpon at Kun Khmer All Star 3, March 24, 2022
  45. ^ CNC Boxing: Thoeun Theara vs Prom Samnang, date October 2, 2021.
  46. ^ CNC Boxing: Thoeun Theara vs. Lao Chantrea July 31, 2021, date July 31, 2021.
  47. ^ Madrid Kun Khmer: Thoeun Theara VS Chhoeung Lvay, January 14, 2021
  48. ^ International friendly:Thuoen Theara VS Thunsaphun at CTN Boxing arena, December 14, 2020
  49. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Em Lengly, November 28, 2020
  50. ^ Thoeun Theara vs. Long Sovandoeun September 2020, September 26, 2020
  51. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Roeung Sophorn June 2020 June 28, 2020
  52. ^ CNC Boxing: Thoeun Theara vs. Lao Chantrea, date June 14, 2020.
  53. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Roeung Sophorn May 2020, May 30, 2020
  54. ^ Thoeun Theara vs. Long Sovandoeun May 23, 2020, May 23, 2020
  55. ^ Thoeun Theara vs Julien, January 27, 2018
  56. ^ The Thai Fight championship: Thuoen Theara VS Saiyok Pumpanmuang, December 24, 2022
  57. ^ Thai Fight: Thoeun Theara vs. Yurik Davtyan, November 11, 2022
  58. ^ Thoeun Theara vs. Thananchai, September 23, 2022
  59. ^ International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Boonlong Puyfourman, April 14, 2019
  60. ^ International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Luke Bar, February 24, 2019
  61. ^ International friendly: Thoeun Theara VS Kitti Sorjordanrayong, May 6, 2018
  62. ^ International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Petchtongchai Sor Seubsak, March 27, 2018
  63. ^ International Friendly: Thoeun Theara VS Numkabuan Kiatnavy, March 26, 2018