Phal Sophorn (Khmer: ផល សោភ័ណ្ឌ, born in 1994) is a Cambodian professional Kun Khmer fighter originally from the capital city of Phnom Penh. He has extensive experience in both boxing and Kun Khmer kickboxing. His ring nickname is Nak Leng Keng Pi Kheat and Damrey Phluk Pi Kheat, which translate to "the Killer Elbow" and "the Killer Elephant[1]" respectively.
Background
Sophorn was born in 1994 in Taley Village, Sangkat Dankao, Khan Dankao, Phnom Penh. He is married to Saren Kim Eng, and they have two children.[2] Phal Sophorn is a police officer with the Ministry of Interior.[3]
Career
Sophorn's began in Kun Khmer boxing by training at the Taley Domrei Mean Rith Club,[4] where he was inspired by his brother, Phal Sophat, a Cambodian national boxer. During his training, he was given the opportunity to compete and won a series of championships.
Phal Sophorn's abilities got better fast as he trained under his uncle. Phal Sophorn decided to transition from Kun Khmer to international boxing as his brother Sophat did. Phal Sophorn became a member of the Cambodian International Boxing Team in 2009. When Phal Sophorn returned to Kun Khmer, he surprised people with his dominating performance against Cambodian opponents and foreign opponents. [5]
In 2016, Phal Sophorn defeated Vong Noy to win the 63.5 kg Cambodia Beer Championship at Bayon Boeung Snor. [6]
Phal Sophorn defeated Khim Dima at Bayon Arena and won the 63.5 kg Carabao Championship in 2016. [7]
In December 2016, Lao Chantrea defeated Phal Sophorn at the Kubota Championship at Bayon Boeung Snor Arena. [8]
For the IPCC Kun Khmer World Championship, Phal Sophorn went undefeated in the group stage by winning all five matches. Phal Sophorn defeated Mon Prohm Manh in the semi-finals [9] In July 2022, Sophorn knocked out Long Ben Loeun in just one minute, thereby becoming the International Professional Combat Council's Kun Khmer 63.5kg Kram champion.[10] Despite Long Ben Loeun's vow to defeat Phal Sophorn and win his first-ever title, he collapsed during their final match in ring of Town Arena.
Sophorn became the first Cambodian fighter to win the International Professional Combat Council's Kun Khmer 63.5kg World Championship, organized by Town Arena.[11]
Phal Sophorn made Kampuchea Thmey Daily's top 10 list of Khmer boxers who had the best first half of 2023. Although Phal Sophorn did not make the national team, he won an International Khmer martial arts title. [12]
Phal Sophorn was scheduled to compete against Kiamran Nabati on August 18, 2023 at RCC Fair Fight 22 in Moscow, Russia. Nabati was a top Russian kick boxer who was undefeated.[13] After Kiamran Nabati defeated Phal Sophorn in the first round, Coach Eh Phouthong challenged Nabati to fight his son, Eh Amarin Phouthong. Nabati said he was only interested in the match if he was paid $50,000. [14]
On September 30, 2023, Phal Sophorn won a Wurkz World IPCC Kun Khmer title after defeating Changpuak Jetsada by points.[15]
At a January 19 Ganzberg Kun Khmer Kung Fu event, Phal Sophorn was scheduled to fight Liu Longquan in a 65 kg Kun Khmer bout.[16]
^ Virakbot, C. (2023, September 4). ផល សោភ័ណ្ឌ ក្លាយជាប៉ូលិសតាមក្តីស្រមៃរបស់ខ្លួន [Phal Sophorn becomes the police officer of his dreams]. Kampuchea Thmey Daily. https://www.kampucheathmey.com/sports/571331
^Virakbot, C. (2023, August 2). អ្នកលេងគុនខ្មែរ១០រូបទទួលបានជោគជ័យខ្លាំងដើមឆ្នាំ២០២៣ [10 Khmer boxers were very successful in the beginning of 2023]. Kampuchea Thmey Daily. https://www.kampucheathmey.com/sports/549746
^Virakbot, C. (2023, August 18). ផល សោភ័ណ្ឌ ប្រកួតជាមួយ Nabati នៅរុស្ស៊ីចាប់ពីម៉ោង៦ល្ងាចនេះ [Phal Sophorn to play against Nabati in Russia from 6 pm]. Kampuchea Thmey Daily. https://www.kampucheathmey.com/sports/561608
