Oth Phouthong

Oth Phouthong (Khmer: អូត ភូថង), from Koh Kong Province, is a Kun Khmer fighter renowned as “The Steel-Claw Hanuman” for his outstanding skills in the arena. His expertise lies in the traditional Cambodian martial art of Kun Khmer, highlighting his proficiency in techniques such as powerful elbows and knees – a family legacy that distinguishes him in the ring.

Fighting under the banner of The Ring Kun Khmer boxing gym, Oth Phouthong has left a significant impact on his career, boasting a fight record of 300 matches with 260 victories, 39 losses, and 2 draws. As of the last update on January 13, 2024, by the Cambodia Kun Khmer KKIF BTV, Oth Phouthong remains active in the sport.

Kun Khmer Journey

Oth Phouthong’s Kun Khmer journey began at the age of 7, fueled by his passion for the sport and a family tradition of boxing. Initially trained by his elder brother, Mr. Eh Phouthong, a prominent figure in the boxing community, Oth quickly rose to fame. In 1998, he secured the Samdech Techo Hun Sen Trophy in the 45kg category, defeating Voy Chandara from Banteay Meanchey. Over the years, he attained multiple championship belts, including victories in the 63.5kg and 67kg categories. Oth Phouthong is a relative of Eh Phouthong, Eh Amarin, Maeun Meikhea.

Despite the official fight record noting 300 matches, Oth Phouthong claims to have fought over 400 times, with numerous knockouts. However, he decided to step away from the arena, feeling that he was no longer at his peak competitive strength.

Life Beyond the Ring:

After leaving the competitive arena, Oth Phouthong faced a challenging period in his life. Despite his past success, he found himself working as a night guard. His tactical fighting style, particularly known for powerful elbows and knees, was overshadowed by life’s difficulties.

Struggling to make ends meet, Oth Phouthong took on a job at a French bar while continuing to train in Kun Khmer. He revealed the financial hardships of his fighting career, citing examples of earning around $250 when facing foreign opponents and having no income in the absence of matches.Oth Phouthong recently appeared to have refereed Kun Khmer matches and has now returned to the ring, but he seems less competitive due to seniority.

His last fight on 13 January 2024, saw him defeated by the circle kick of his foreign opponent. Let’s observe how well he will continue to perform in the coming matches.