# Eh Phouthong

Eh Phouthong (Khmer: អេ ភូថង, É Phuthâng; born 1975), also spelled Ei Phouthang and Eh Phuthong is a retired Cambodian professional kickboxer, Kun Khmer fighter, former reality TV host and currently a coach. Eh Phouthong was known for his powerful right kick which shattered many arms, he is considered a legend in Kun Khmer He is the most famous kickboxer from Cambodia. The AFP described Eh Phouthong as "Cambodia's Muhammad Ali". He used to be known as the undisputed king of Cambodian kickboxing Kun Khmer. As a multi-division gold medalist, he won gold medals in the national championship from 45 kg to 67 kg. Eh Phouthong is the trainer of Cambodian champion, Thoeun Theara.

## Career

At age 11, Eh wanted to start training but his father didn't want him to because he didn't want Eh to get hurt. Eh went searching for a teacher and learned from people who knew how to fight in his village. Since his family was struggling financially, his family sent him to live with Governor Yuth Phouthong who was his father's uncle. Eh Phouthong began training in pradal serey at age 12 with Yuth Phouthong in the 1980s, who then held the position of Prey Veng provincial governor and then, Koh Kong Province governor. His uncle started a club in Prey Veng province and Eh started training under a different teacher by the name of Mr. Kung Sroy.
After getting recognition, Eh moved from Prey Veng province to Phnom Penh and started training with coach Chhit Sarim and coach Kat Phun. His new coach, Chhit Sarim, was an experienced boxer who fought from 1960 to 1975 with 110 fights and only two losses. Eh Phouthong had his first Khmer traditional kickboxing contest at the age of 17. Eh said the first time he competed he only made between $4-$5. Eh initially began fighting at the 48 kg weight class and continued fighting until he reached the 63 kg weight class. Then he moved up to the weight class of 85 kg. According to his coach, Chhit Sarim, many foreign kickboxers didn't dare compete with Eh Phouthong because Eh Phouthong beat them by giving them a broken leg or broken arm. Growing up he did not have access to education because he was either working jobs to support his family or training in his passion of Khmer kickboxing.
Eh Phouthong has explored media opportunities outside the ring. He has starred in two Khmer-language action films and was the co-host of CTN's highly rated reality show, Kun Khmer Champion. Finalist, Ai Kosal, is a boxer from 7NG, Eh Phouthong Boxing Club.
In 2001, he defeated French opponent Jean Charles for the third time. Eh Phouthong said, "I am tired, but I tried my best to fight with a strong French rival...My energy is weaker than foreign rivals, but their technique is no better than mine."
By 2003, he was already national champion for over three years and almost 4 years. In 2003, Eh Phouthong won the Kun Khmer CBA International Championship by defeating Sudanese fighter, Faisal Zakaria.
Eh Phouthong also journeyed next door to compete in Thailand. He is capable of speaking Thai as well as Khmer. He reached the semifinal in the first S1 championship in Thailand defeating X Rafi from Spain and losing in the 2nd round up to the eventual tournament champion Suriya Ploenchit. He previously expressed an interest in wanting to fight John Wayne Parr. He told reporter Scott Mallon that he had fought five times in Thailand. He had won 4 matches and only lost once on the Kings B-Day in Thailand. He told reporter Scott Mallon that he didn't know much about the fighters in Thailand or elsewhere.
By 2006, Eh Phouthong had amassed 150 fights. Of those fights, he had won 140 times. He had lost 6 times and had 4 draws.
In 2008, Eh Phouthong said he considered retiring after losing to Australian Adam Shahir Kayoom in the 85 kg weight division. He looked out of shape and sluggish. He said the problem was his diet and that his new home was far from the training club. Eh Phouthong's coach, Chhit Sarim, said he trained regularly but didn't rest enough afterward and was out with his friends too much. His coach said the best option would be retirement.
His local ring appearances decreased as he has aged. In June 2008, he was defeated by decision by American Benjamin Cahe.
He won a bronze medal in western boxing at the 2009 Southeast Asian Games at Laos in the 81 kg weight division.
In 2010, he faced Spaniard, Pitu Sans, in a rematch. In their rematch at TV3, Cambodian kickboxing sensation Eh Phouthong knocked out Spanish veteran Pitu Sans in the first round with a barrage of kicks. Eh Phouthong severely injured the seasoned Spanish fighter with just five kicks, causing damage to an arm and bruising his left shin. Referee Troeung Sossay intervened to deliver the standing eight count after Sans turned away in agony after receiving a series of four right roundhouse kicks in the first round. Although Sans wanted to continue, his corner threw in the towel.

### Coaching

In 2005, Eh Phouthong started his own gym and boxing club, Eh Phouthong Tonle Bassac Club. Among his boxers were his younger brother, Auth Phouthong. His coach, Chhit Sarim, felt great satisfaction that his student Eh Phouthong was able to open a kickboxing club.
In 2023, Eh Phouthong won the "Best Coach Award" from the Khmer Boxing World Championship Techo Santepheap. Eh Phouthong said this about winning as best coach, “I'm really happy. This is the first time I have won this award. It’s a great encouragement for me to put my efforts into promoting our Khmer martial arts.”
Eh Phouthong's gym was renamed Galaxy Navatra Eh Phouthong Club after Okhna Leng Navatra announced a partnership.
On July 7, 2023, the Galaxy Navatra Eh Phouthong Khmer martial arts club was inaugurated. The ceremony was attended by Okhna Leng Pros who is general director of Galaxy Navatra group. He said the reason for the partnership with the club was to maintain the achievements and value of Eh Phouthong as the King of boxing in Cambodia. The partnership is set for five years.

## Personal life

He was born in Mondol Seima district, Koh Kong province, Cambodia. Eh Phouthong currently lives in Phnom Penh. He has a father named Yem Lim and a mother named At Uth. He also has a brother and a sister. His father and grandmother were also martial artists. Eh Phouthong's sons, Eh Virak Khamchit Phouthong (known as “Moeurn Mekia”) and Eh Amarin Phouthong, and daughter Eh Yanut are also Kun Khmer boxers.
Eh Phouthong is a big believer in traditional tattoos. He got his tattoos in Battambang by Sorn Sarin. In his early 20's, Eh got four "magic" designs on his body to ensure success. He said "It made a huge difference. I increased the number of victories and reduced the number of defeats. Yet you have to believe in the tattoos for them to be effective. Otherwise, it's just a waste of time."