Thoeun Theara
Thoeun Theara is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily previously listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer in early 2023. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer for 2024. In 2023, Thoeun Theara won an 8 man tournament and a car. In 2024, Thoeun Theara won an 8 man tournament for the second time and a villa. He also had an undefeated record in 2024. Theara is considered one of the most successful fighters in Kun Khmer.
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 technical knockout against Thai star Saiyok Pumpanmuang in Thailand. After defeating Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization ranked Theara #1 in the world Muaythai middleweight rankings category.
Early life and personal life
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.Thoeun Theara is trained by Coach Eh Phouthong who received his training at the National Defense Council Center under Coach Chhit Sarim.
Career
In 2018, Theara was selected for the Kun Khmer National Team.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.
On January 1, 2023, after he defeated two top ranked Muaythai fighters in Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization 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.
On November 5, 2023, Theara faced Brazilian Daniel Torres and won by KO.
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. Thoeun Theara met with Brazilian boxer Bento in the final of the 8 man tournament and defeated the Brazilian player in the first round. 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.
In a South Korean Kun Khmer event, Thoeun Theara is scheduled to fight Victor Teixeira, a Brazilian world champion who notably defeated Kongthailand Kiatnavy at ONE Friday Fight 20. Thoeun Theara knocked out Brazilian champion Victor Teixeira in the third round.
In 2024, Theara was included in the Forbes list 30 under 30 Asia in the Sports & Entertainment 2024.
On November 16, 2024, Thoeun Theara competed in an eight man tournament. In the finals, he fought Australian fighter, Matthew. In the 3rd round, Thoeun Theara used an elbow against the Australian athlete causing referee Lao Sinat to stop the match. Thoeun Theara bowed to his teacher, Eh Phouthong, and won a villa for the match.
Martial arts lineage
Achar Chhit Sarim -> Kru Eh Phouthong -> Thoeun ThearaChampionships and accomplishments
- Forbes 30 under 30 Asia - Sports & Entertainment 2024
- Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion 72 kg Championship belt
- Krud Kun Khmer 72 kg Championship belt
- IPCC International 72 kg World Championship
- IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion
- Thai Fight Kard Chuek 72.5 kg King's Cup Championship