Thoeun Theara

Thoeun Theara ធឿន ធារ៉ា
Born	(1996-05-05) May 5, 1996 (age 28) Prey Veng province, Cambodia
Height	1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Weight	72 kg (159 lb; 11 st 5 lb)
Style	Kun Khmer Martial Arts
Team	Koh Kong Provincial Martial Arts Association
Trainer	Eh Phouthong[1]
Years active	2017–present
Kickboxing record
Total	137
Wins	104
By knockout	63
Losses	27
Draws	06

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 technical knockout against 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]

Early 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.^[4]

Career

In 2018, Theara was selected for the Kun Khmer National Team.^[6]

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.^[7]

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.^[8][9]

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.^[9][10] Thoeun Theara met with Brazilian boxer Bento in the final of the 8 man tournament and defeated the Brazilian player in the first round. ^[11] 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.^{[12] [13]}

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.^[14] Thoeun Theara knocked out Brazilian champion Victor Teixeira in the third round. ^[15]

In 2024, Theara was included in the Forbes list 30 under 30 Asia in the Sports & Entertainment 2024.^[16][17]

Championships and accomplishments

• 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^[18]
• IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion (Kun Khmer 8 Men Tournament)

Muaythai

• Thai Fight Kard Chuek 72.5 kg King's Cup Championship

Kun Khmer record

Professional Kun Khmer record

Total fights 137, 104 wins (63 (T)KOs), 27 losses, 6 draws[19]
Date	Result	Opponent	Event	Location	Method	Round	Time
15/09/2024	Win	Victor Teixeira	Ganzberg Kun Khmer to the World Class[20]	Ansan, South Korea	KO	3	2:35
08/08/2024	Win	Edye Ruiz	Town Boxing[21]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	2	0:00
15/05/2024	Win	Ji Long Theng	Town Boxing[22]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	1	00:05
13/04/2024	Win	Podgornov Andrei	Town Boxing[23]	Kampong Cham, Cambodia	KO	1	00:30
14/03/2024	Win	Pavel Grishanovich	Town Boxing[24]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	3
14/03/2024	Win	Kim Hyunjun	Town Boxing[25]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	1	1:30
19/01/2024	Win	Jiao Zhou Kungfu	Ganzberg Kun Khmer-Kungfu[26]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	1	2:50
31/12/2023	Win	Sofian	Champion Kun Khmer [27]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	TKO	3	1:00
14/12/2023	Draw	Hassan Vahdani	Bayon TV Boxing[28]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	3
05/11/2023	Win	Daniel Torres	Wurkz Kun Khmer Warriors[29]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	2	1:42
20/10/2023	Win	Aboofazei Goodarzi	Kubota Kun Khmer Champion[30]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	2	1:10
10/09/2023	Win	Nikita Gerasisimovich	Kun Khmer Grand Champion[31]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	TKO	2	0:25
16/07/2023	Win	Alex Bublea	Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion[32]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	TKO	1	0:50
08/04/2023	Win	Kangmuang Chhang	Wurkz World Kun Khmer Fight[33]	Kampot, Cambodia	Decision	3	03:00
18/03/2023	Win	Sammy Banchamek	Krud Kun Khmer Fight[34]	Cambodia	Decision	5	3:00
26/02/2023	Win	Oussama Elkouche	Bayon TV Boxing [35]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	2	00:52
18/02/2023	Win	Chhoeung Lvai	Krud Championship Match [36]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	1	00:50
18/02/2023	Win	Petchmai	Krud Championship Semi-Final[37]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	1	00:07
11/02/2023	Win	Thiago Teixeira	IPCC World Champion Kun Khmer[38]	Svay Rieng, Cambodia	KO	4	00:06
29/01/2023	Draw	Sammy Banchamek	Krud Kun Khmer[39]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
14/01/2023	Win	Kongthailand Kiatnavy	PNN Sports [40]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	TKO	5
31/12/2022	Win	Beckham Banchamek	Wurkz Kun Khmer[41]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	3	3:00
20/10/2022	Win	Petchmai	International friendly match TUK Fighter[42]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	3
04/09/2022	Win	Detrit Sathian	PNN Boxing[43]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	TKO	3
25/07/2022	Win	Payak Samui	Kun Khmer Allstar [44]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	3	3:00
02/07/2022	Win	Fahpayak Suekblack	Town Boxing [45]	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[46]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	1	0:50
02/10/2021	Loss	Prom Samnang	CNC Boxing[47]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5	3:00
31/07/2021	Loss	Lao Chantrea	CNC Boxing[48]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	2	0:18
14/01/2021	Win	Chhoeung Lvai	Madrid Kun Khmer[49]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
14/12/2020	Win	Thunsaphun	International friendly match CTN Boxing[50]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	KO	3	01:04
28/11/2020	Win	Em Lengly	Bayon TV Boxing[51]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
26/09/2020	Win	Long Sovandoeun	CNC Boxing[52]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
28/06/2020	Draw	Roeung Sophorn	CNC Boxing[53]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
14/06/2020	Loss	Lao Chantrea	CNC Boxing[54]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
30/05/2020	Draw	Roeung Sophorn	CNC Boxing[55]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
23/05/2020	Win	Long Sovandoeun	CNC Boxing[56]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	5
27/01/2018	Win	Julien	CNC Boxing[57]	Phnom Penh, Cambodia	Decision	3
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Muay Thai record

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[58]	Bangkok, Thailand	TKO	1	2:42
20/11/2022	Win	Yurik Davtyan	Thai Fight[59]	Thailand	TKO	1
23/09/2022	Loss	Thananchai Sitsongpeenong	RWS: Rajadamnern World Series [60]	Bangkok, Thailand	Decision	3
14/4/2019	Win	Boonlong Puyfourman	Max Muay Thai Ultimate[61]	Bangkok, Thailand	KO	3	1:35
24/02/2019	Loss	Luke Bar	Max Muay Thai Ultimate[62]	Bangkok, Thailand	Decision	3
06/05/2018	Loss	Kitti Sor.Jor.Danrayong	Max Muay Thai Ultimate[63]	Bangkok, Thailand	KO	2	00:10
27/03/2018	Win	Petchtongchai Sor Seubsak	Max Muay Thai Ultimate[64]	Bangkok, Thailand	KO	2	0:25
26/03/2018	Win	Numkabuan Kiatnavy	Max Muay Thai Ultimate[65]	Bangkok, Thailand	KO	2	0:38
Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References

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 Khmer boxer to take Thai title with first round stoppage". The Phnom Penh Post.
3. "WMO - World Middleweight Rankings 72.575 kg - 160 lbs". World Muay Thai Association. Archived from the original on January 1, 2023.
4. 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.
   • "ចង់វិលមកសង្វៀនវិញឬយ៉ាងណា? Dave បានបោះសម្តីយ៉ាងឡូយបែបនេះ នៅពេលមានគេទទូចចង់ឱ្យគាត់ជួប ធឿន ធារ៉ា". Khmer Load (in Khmer). December 7, 2023.
   • Chhorn Norn (10 February 2023). "Kun Khmer on show to the world as title fight heats up". The Phnom Penh Post. one of the Kingdom's finest Kun Khmer artists
6. Sina, N. (February 19, 2018). "ធឿន ធារ៉ា ជាប់ជាកីឡាករជម្រើសជាតិឆ្នាំ២០១៨ [Thoeun Theara named to the 2018 national team]". Sabay News.
7. 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).
8. "Honours even in thrilling fight between Prom Samnang and "Steel Giraffe" Dave Leduc". Khmer Times. November 6, 2023.
9. 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).
10. Chhorn Norn (15 November 2023). "Eight-fighter Kun Khmer event set to test Theara". The Phnom Penh Post.
11. 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/
12. 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/
13. 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/
14. 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/
15. Norn, C. (2024, September 16). Thoeun Theara stuns Brazil's Victor Teixeira to win first Korean tournament. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/thoeun-theara-stuns-brazil-s-victor-teixeira-to-win-first-korean-title
16. Chhorn Norn (18 May 2024). "30 under 30 Asia 2024 - Sports & Entertainment". Forbes.
17. Navalan, S. (2024, May 18). The Star. Cambodian Bruce Lee named in prestigious Forbes '30 Under 30 – Asia' list
18. Thoeun Theara Vs Thiago/I PCC KUN KHMER World Championship ៥ទឹក ១ទឹក ៣នាទី-, retrieved 2023-09-19
19. Theara's Biography on My Kun Khmer
20. Thoeun Theara stuns Brazil's Victor Teixeira to win first Korean tournament, September 16, 2024
21. Thoeun Theara Vs Edye Ruiz, Phnom Penh, August 08, 2024
22. Thoeun Theara Vs Ji Long Theng, Phnom Penh, May 15, 2024
23. Thoeun Theara Vs Podgornov Andrei, Kampong Cham, April 13, 2024
24. Thoeun Theara vs. Pavel Grishanovich, Town Arena, March 14, 2024
25. Thoeun Theara Vs Kim Hyunjun, Town Arena, March 14, 2024
26. Ganzberg Kun Khmer-Kungfu: Thoeun Theara Vs Jiao Zhou (China), Komboul Phnom Penh, Town Arena, 19 January 2024
27. Champion Kun Khmer: Thoeun Theara Vs Sofian Morocco, Phnom Penh, Town Arena, 31 January 2024
28. Thoeun Theara vs Hassan Vahdani, December 14, 2023
29. Wurkz សេនាគុនខ្មែរពិភពលោក: Thoeun Theara Vs Daniel Torres, Chipmong Mega Mall, Town, 05 November 2023
30. Kubota Kun Khmer Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Aboofazei Goodarzi, BTV Arena, 20 October 2023
31. Kun Khmer Grand Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Nikita Gerasisimovich at Town TV, 10 September 2023
32. Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Alex Bublea at Town TV, 16 July 2023
33. Wurkz World Kun Khmer Fight: Thoeun Theara VS Kangmuang Chhang at Wurkz Town Arena from Kampot,
34. Krud Kun Khmer Fight: Thoeun Theara VS Sammy Banachamek March 18, 2023,
35. Bayon Boxing: Thoeun Theara VS Oussama Elkouche at the Bayon Arena, 26th /02/2023
36. Krud Championship Match: Thoeun Theara vs. Chhoeung Lvai at Krud Arena, 18/ 02/2023
37. Krud Championship Qualifier Match: Thuoen Theara VS Petchmai at Krud Arena, 18/ 02/2023
38. IPCC Kun Khmer International Championship Title: Thuoen Theara VS Thiago Teixeira at Wurks arena, 11 February 2023
39. International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Sammy Banchamek at Krud Kun Khmer, January 29, 2023
40. Thoeun Theara vs Kong
41. International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Beckham Bigwin at Wurkz arena *THOEUN THEARA Vs Beckham Bigwin Champion Gym (WBO International Middle weight world Title)
42. International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Petchmai at TUK Fighter arena, February 18, 2023
43. Thoeun Theara vs Detrit, September 04, 2022
44. [International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Payaksamui at Wurkz Town arena] *[ THOEUN THEARA Vs Payaksamui ]
45. Thoeun Theara vs. Fahpayak Suekblack
46. Thoeun Theara vs. Yodkhunpon at Kun Khmer All Star 3, March 24, 2022
47. CNC Boxing: Thoeun Theara vs Prom Samnang, date October 2, 2021.
48. CNC Boxing: Thoeun Theara vs. Lao Chantrea July 31, 2021, date July 31, 2021.
49. Madrid Kun Khmer: Thoeun Theara VS Chhoeung Lvay, January 14, 2021
50. International friendly:Thuoen Theara VS Thunsaphun at CTN Boxing arena, December 14, 2020
51. Thoeun Theara vs Em Lengly, November 28, 2020
52. Thoeun Theara vs. Long Sovandoeun September 2020, September 26, 2020
53. Thoeun Theara vs Roeung Sophorn June 2020 June 28, 2020
54. CNC Boxing: Thoeun Theara vs. Lao Chantrea, date June 14, 2020.
55. Thoeun Theara vs Roeung Sophorn May 2020, May 30, 2020
56. Thoeun Theara vs. Long Sovandoeun May 23, 2020, May 23, 2020
57. Thoeun Theara vs Julien, January 27, 2018
58. The Thai Fight championship: Thuoen Theara VS Saiyok Pumpanmuang, December 24, 2022
59. Thai Fight: Thoeun Theara vs. Yurik Davtyan, November 11, 2022
60. Thoeun Theara vs. Thananchai, September 23, 2022
61. International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Boonlong Puyfourman, April 14, 2019
62. International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Luke Bar, February 24, 2019
63. International friendly: Thoeun Theara VS Kitti Sorjordanrayong, May 6, 2018
64. International friendly: Thuoen Theara VS Petchtongchai Sor Seubsak, March 27, 2018
65. International Friendly: Thoeun Theara VS Numkabuan Kiatnavy, March 26, 2018