Experiencing Kun Khmer Boxing in Phnom Penh
We were sitting so close to the ring that we could actually smell the tiger balm being rubbed on the fighters between rounds. The sharp scent mixed with the pounding drums of traditional music made the whole experience feel surreal.
I had heard you could catch a Kun Khmer boxing match in Phnom Penh, so after a bit of Google searching, we found a TV studio that hosted live fights—and even allowed an audience for free.
Arriving at the Venue
The fights were set to start at 6 PM, but when our tuk tuk dropped us at a nondescript parking lot, we quickly realized we were an hour early. With not much around besides warehouses, we hopped into another tuk tuk and found a small Japanese restaurant nearby. Dinner was simple—a bento box meal for under $10—but it was exactly what we needed before heading back.
When we returned to the TV station around 7, the scene had come alive. Vendors sold snacks out front, and at the entrance we were offered “VIP tickets” for just $1 USD. That dollar got us escorted through the back door and placed in second-row seats right next to the action.
The Matches Begin
The crowd was small but loud, cheering as each fight kicked off. Kun Khmer, Cambodia’s traditional martial art, is known for its powerful kicks and sharp elbow strikes. Over the course of the night we watched five matches, each accompanied by live traditional music that rose and fell with the rhythm of the rounds.
After every round, the fighters retreated to their corners where their teams went to work—lifting their arms and legs to stretch them, pouring water down their backs, and rubbing sore muscles with more tiger balm. The passion of the fighters, and especially the energy of their coaches and teammates, shined through.
Why This Memory Stays With Me
It wasn’t the size of the venue, the cost of admission, or even the sport itself that stuck with me. It was the rawness of the moment—the smell of tiger balm, the sound of drums, and the electricity of the crowd in a tucked-away TV studio in Phnom Penh. That’s why I’ll always remember this night.
What to Know Before You Go
Cost: Free entry, or $1 USD for VIP seating
Location: TV studios on the outskirts of Phnom Penh (ask your tuk tuk driver—they’ll know!) - we went to Bayon TV Steung Meanchery Studio
Schedule: Fights typically start around 7 PM (on the weekends), but check ahead as times can change
Tip: Bring cash for snacks and drinks sold outside the venue
If you aren't feeling as adventurous but want to experience the fight - we did notice there were some tour companies in the audience as well!
