ISKA make history in Cambodia
ISKA sanctioned the first ever World Championship Kickboxing event in Cambodia on 28 August 2008 at the Olympic Stadium in Phnum Penh, staged by Paddy Carson Promotions. The historic event featured two ISKA world title matches.
ISKA World Welterweight Champion Meas Chanta
Kickboxing in Cambodia is called Khmer Boxing or Kun Khmer and is very similar to Muaythai, allowing elbows and knees to the head. England's Frankie Hudders defended his ISKA World Welterweight title against Cambodia's National Champion Meas Chanta. After a bright start Hudders started to wilt in the 40 degree heat, Chanta landed a solid long knee to stomach dropping Hudders for an eight count in the third round. Hudders scrambled through the fourth staying out of trouble as Chanta kept pressing forward. Hudders had a better fifth round but was behind on all three judges score cards only a knock down or KO would save his title. Chanta won a unanimous points decision and 5,000 Cambodians rose to their feet to applaud their countries first world champion.
Germany's ISKA World Middleweight Champion Alban Ahmeti put his title on the line against Cambodian National Champion Vorn Viva. The German also seemed to suffer from the heat. Ahmeti is a strong puncher and has excellent kicks, but he struggled when it came to clinching, knees and elbows. Viva fought a clever tactical fight was always one step ahead and dominated in the clinch scoring a multitude of unanswered knee strikes. He avoided a couple of dangerous spinning kicks from Ahmeti and cruised home to a unanimous points victory. Another Cambodian world champion, another standing ovation.
Alban Ahmeti fights Vorn Viva
England's Tim Thomas was scheduled to face Cambodia's Nuon Soriya to contest the vacant ISKA intercontinental light-welterweight title but Soriya was injured in a motorcycle accident. Instead, Thomas faced Cambodia Welterweight Champion Pan Sophan in a non-title match. Thomas arrived in Cambodia overweight and trained daily up to the weigh in. He made the weight and it seems acclimatized to the heat as he did not suffer the same fatigue as Hudders and Ahmeti. Sophan pushed forward from the first bell but found himself on the receiving end of ramrod jabs and chopping low kicks. Thomas was also stronger in the clinch, out-kneeing Sophan. The Cambodian was undeterred and marched forward, soaking it up until midway through the third when Thomas dropped him with a laser straight right hand. Only a long count saved him. There were two more flash knock downs in the fourth and fifth. Thomas won a clear points victory and was well received by the Cambodian fans who applauded just as loudly as they had for Sophan at the start of the fight.
Australia's Jacob Marks faced Cambodia's Ek Vatha in another international non-title match in the featherweight division. Vatha dominated the opening rounds with fast punch kick combinations and heavy low kicks. Going into the third round, the Australian's left thigh looked like corn beef. Most spectators were of the opinion that one or two more low kicks would end the fight, but Marks survived the round. In the fourth, to the audiences surprise and delight, Marks actually staged a comeback winning a share of the round. Marks came out all guns blazing in the fifth and stunned Vatha with a couple of punches, but it was too late. Vatha had racked up enough points to take a decision at the final bell.
The event was broadcast live in prime time by National TV Network CTN, who reported a massive 53% rating.
Photos of the bouts can be seen in the gallery.
8 September 2008
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