Nine Cambodian boxers have been building up their punching power in preparation for a trip to Hanoi next month for “friendly” matches with other boxers from Asean countries, boxing officials said Tuesday.
Vietnamese officials invited Cambodia to participate June 9 through June 16 in the informal Western-style boxing matches, which mark the third time Cambodian boxers have competed in Vietnam in two years, said Oum Yourann, president of the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Federation.
“It is a friendly match to gain more experience,” he said. “It only tests our boxers’ techniques.”
Cambodian fighters hope, with intensive training in technique and physical fitness, they will trump the five medals won at last year’s friendly matches, Oum Yourann said.
This year, Cambodia will send Hin Sai Heng, who won a bronze medal at the South East Asia Games in Hanoi last year. The boxer from the Interior Ministry Club will compete at 69 kg.
His coach, Meas Sokry, said the fighters have been training hard for the competition.
“The more they fight, the more experience they have,” Meas Sokry said Tuesday.
Although the fighters have good technique, he said, they struggle to maintain the stamina needed for the four three-minute rounds in each match.
Cambodian boxers will compete in nine weight classes from 45 kg to 75 kg, Oum Yourann said. In addition to Hin Sai Heng, the other fighters traveling to Vietnam are Ath Samrith, Sam Sokunthea, Troeung Soh Vannak, Koam Bora, Mean Soeurn, Roeung Saroth, Sao Sineth and Ven Diyamang, he said.
