Prom Samnang (Khmer: ព្រំ សំណាង), (born 9 September 1986) is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and is one of the most successful Kun Khmer fighters in Cambodia. In 2023, Samnang won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek championship title in Thailand. At the 2023 SEA Games, Samnang was the flag bearer for Cambodia at the opening ceremony and won the gold medal against Tun Tun Min in the Khun Khmer Men's 81kg division.
His personal life
Samnang is known by sports fans by his nickname "Cheang Kat Sok Day Ek" meaning "the Barber" because, in addition to competing in the ring, he also works as a barber at a popular barbershop in Phnom Penh. In 2023, Samnang signed onto a two-year contract as a singer with Bong Plerng Media.
His 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.[8] 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, 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. 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.
On February 26, 2023, Samnang defeated Russian kickboxer Firdavszhon Naiimov 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.
In 2023, Southeast Asian Games where 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 won a 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 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 Banska 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. I know that Leduc has posted that he is coming, but I have not received any specific information yet," Samnang said.
Samnang and Leduc are scheduled to fight November 5, 2023 in Phnom Penh. Samnang finally faced Leduc under MAS Fight Kun Khmer rules (1 round of 9 minutes) on November 5, 2023 in Phnom Penh. After nine minutes without a knockout, per MAS Fight rules, the fight was automatically declared a draw.
Championships and accomplishments
Kun Khmer
2017 KIF International Khmer Martial Arts Belt
2023 Krud Kun Khmer 78 kg World Championship
2023 Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Championship
🥇 2023 Southeast Asian Games Kun Khmer Men's 81 kg - Gold medal
🥇 Gold Medal - National Kun Khmer Federation
Muay Thai
Thai Fight Kard Chuek 78 kg Championship belt
🥉 2021 Southeast Asian Games Muay Men's 81 kg - Bronze medal
