Thun Ienglai

Thun Ienglai (Khmer: ធន់ អៀងឡៃ), known as “The Copper Man,” is a celebrated Kun Khmer fighter from Kampong Chhnang Province, Cambodia. Born in 1997 in Kbal Koh village, Ampil Teuk commune, Kampong Tralach district, Kampong Chhnang province, Ienglai is the fourth child of 10 siblings born to hardworking farmer parents.

His journey into the realm of Kun Khmer began in 2015 while working as a private security guard in Phnom Penh. Witnessing the dedication of Mr. Thun Sophea’s students, Ienglai was inspired to pursue martial arts training. Initially seeking fitness, his passion for the sport quickly flourished, leading him to abandon his security job to train under Mr. Thun Sophea’s tutelage.

Despite initial concerns from his parents regarding the risks involved, Ienglai’s unwavering dedication and progress won their support. Under Mr. Thun Sophea’s mentorship, he honed his skills in the ring, culminating in a remarkable 32-bout winning streak in 2019, establishing himself as a formidable Kun Khmer fighter. One of his most notable victories was against top-tier competitor Bird Sangkhim at the Tv5 Boxing Knock Out Series By K-Cement, where Ienglai delivered a stunning knockout that left fans in awe.

However, Ienglai’s career has been marred by controversy. His victory in the Reachsey Kun Khmer Championship against Rin Devit in January 2024 was clouded by allegations of biased scoring, prompting intervention from the Kun Khmer federation. As a result, the title was temporarily withheld, and the prize pool split, pending a rematch between Ienglai and Devit to determine the true champion. A similar incident occurred in late 2023 during a championship fight against Sorn Rakim, highlighting the challenges Ienglai has faced. Despite setbacks and controversies, Ienglai remains steadfast in his pursuit of excellence, eagerly awaiting his rematch to reclaim his title and solidify his standing in the ring.

The rematch between Ienglai and Devit, saw Ienglai knocked out by Devit in the first round and the doubt was cleared.