Prom Samnang

Prom Samnang (; born September 9, 1987) is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter. He is widely considered the most successful Kun Khmer fighters in history. In 2023, Samnang won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek championship title in Thailand, won the gold medal for his country at the SEA Games in the Khun Khmer Men's 81kg division and faced Dave Leduc in the biggest fight in Cambodia's history watched live by over 15 million people.

Personal life Samnang is known by sports fans by nickname meaning "The Barber" because, in addition to competing in the ring, also works as a barber at a popular barbershop in Phnom Penh. In 2023, Prom Samnang signed onto a two-year contract as a singer with Bong Plerng Media.

Career On April 15, 2023, Samnang faced Thai martial arts superstar Sudsakorn Sor Klinmee under Kun Khmer rules in Cambodia and won by unanimous decision. The match took place in Siem Reap in front of the Sokha Hotel as Cambodians celebrated the second night of the traditional New Year.

On July 16, 2003, Prom Samnang defeated Belarusian fighter, Nikita (Нитита), at the 77 kg weight class to win the Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Championship belt. 500,000 viewers watched the live stream of the event. Prom Samnang made Kampuchea Thmey Daily's top 10 list of Khmer boxers who had the best first half of 2023. On December 23, 2023, Samnang won over American fighter Harry Lopez via TKO in the third round.

Thai Fight On February 5, 2023, Samnang faced former International Boxing Federation (IBF) Muay Thai champion and Max Muay Thai champion, Thomas Carpenter from England. Samnang won by TKO and was awarded the Thai Fight Kard Chuek championship title.

21 days later, on February 26 of the same year, Prom Samnang defeated Russian kickboxer Firdavszhon Naiimov (Фирдавсжон Наиймов) on the Thai Fight stage in a first-round knockout in under two minutes.

SEA Games In 2021, Samnang competed in the SEA Games in Vietnam where he won bronze medal. After returning from Vietnam, Samnang has remained undefeated with many knock outs.

Two years later, in 2023, Southeast Asian Games were held in Cambodia. For the selection of the National Kun Khmer team in the 81 kg weight category, the Cambodian sports federation had the choice of between Keo Rumchong or Prom Samnang and ultimately selected Samnang. Samnang was the flag bearer for Cambodia at the opening ceremony He won the gold medal by defeating Tun Tun Min from Myanmar in the Men's Khun Khmer 81kg weight class. For winning the gold medal, Samnang was awarded a house by the sports energy drink company Boostrong.

Leduc vs. Samnang

In 2023, the World Lethwei Federation agreed for Samnang to challenge Dave Leduc for the openweight Lethwei World Championship because of his winning streak in Kun Khmer. The match was scheduled to take place on May 27, 2023, in Banská Bystrica, but was cancelled because Samnang was denied a Schengen visa to enter Slovakia. "I still do not know when this match will take place, and I do not yet know if it will be fought under the rules or Lethwei or Kun Khmer. My preparation will be very different depending on the rules - Lethwei is fought with bare knuckles and the use of headbutts is allowed." Samnang said.

On November 3, 2023, two days prior to the fight, Samnang and Leduc were invited to the Peace Palace in Phnom Penh to meet with His Excellency Prime Minister of Cambodia Dr. Hun Manet. Manet said that the match between the two men will reflect mutual respect and contribute to strengthen the ties of friendship between Cambodia and Myanmar. The match will also raise awareness about Kun Khmer around the world the Cambodian Premier added. The match represented the meeting two of different cultures and martial arts tradition.

The Kun Khmer Federation (KKF) hired 10 assistant coaches to help Samnang in his preparation against Leduc. The match was referred as historic by The Phnom Penh Post as well as the most anticipated fight of the year.

On November 5, 2023, Samnang faced Leduc under Kun Khmer rules (1 round of 9 minutes) in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Leduc landed a powerful right hand punch flooring Samnnang in the first minutes of the match.

On July 13, he defeated Muay Thai WBC, ISKA, and WMO world champion Jack Maguire from UK by KO in the 1st round.

On August 10, Prom Samnang avenged his loss to ONE Championship Muay Thai fighter Lucas Gabriel. Samnang won by unanimous decision and claimed the World Kun Khmer Xtreme title.

On November 9, Cambodian Independence Day, Prom Samnang faced Thai Fight champion and Buakaw Banchamek's student Moeung Sab Banchamak, defeating him by unanimous decision and maintaining his winning streak.

On November 13, Samnang rematched with Arvin Mehboudi, and defeated the latter by unanimous decision.

Championships and accomplishments Kun Khmer

🥇 2023 SEA Games Kun Khmer Men's 81 kg - Gold medal 🥇 Gold Medal - National Kun Khmer Federation

Muay Thai

🥉 2021 SEA Games Muay Men's 81 kg - Bronze medal

Kun Khmer record

Muay Thai record

Kickboxing record