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Pradal Serey
"Free Boxing"
Origin	Cambodia
Founded by	Unknown
Primary focus	Headbutts, Knee Strikes, Kicking and Elbow Strikes
Classification	Striking
Influenced by	Bokator
Similar to	Muay Lao, Muay Thai, Lethwei, Tomoi

Kun Khmer (also Pradal Serey (Khmer: ប្រដាល់សេរី; English: Free Boxing) (English: Khmer Boxing) is one of the Khmer names for the sport-fighting descendant of the Khmer martial art Bokator. It is similar to sport-fighting arts practiced in several Southeast Asian countries. It is very similar to Muay Thai in Thailand, Tomoi in Malaysia, Muay Lao in Laos, and Lethwei in Myanmar. Pradal and serey are the Khmer words for "fight/boxing" and "free", respectively. Translated literally, the phrase means "free fighting". It's full name romanises as Kbach Kun Boran Khmer Pradal Serey, which translates as "Traditional Khmer Free Boxing". It is popularly known as Pradal Serey, but is now officially known as Kun Khmer.

Contents 1 Concept 2 History 3 Rules 4 References

[edit] Concept

While most recognizable by its kicking technique, which generates power from hip rotation rather than "snapping" the leg, Pradal Serey/Kun Khmer consists of four types of strikes: punching with the fist, kicking (with either the shin or the foot), elbow strikes, and blows of the knee. The clinch is also used to wear down the opponent. Compared to the Thai counterpart, the Cambodian style tends to emphasize more elusive and shifty fighting stances. The Khmer style also tends to utilize more elbow techniques than that of other regions. More victories come by way of an elbow technique than any other based technique.

Descended from a true martial (i.e. used in warfare) art, the technique and moves of modern Pradal Serey/Kun Khmer have been altered to create the sport version seen today. It is considered the national sport of Cambodia.

[edit] History

Styles of boxing have been practiced in Southeast Asia since ancient times and were developed through the influence of martial arts from India. In the Angkor era, both armed and unarmed martial arts were practiced by the Khmers. The martial art Bokator is believed to be the fighting system of the Angkor army and one of the reasons why the Khmer empire used to be a dominant force in Southeast Asia from approximately the 9th century to the 15th century A.D..

Many Cambodians believe that Kun Khmer predates other Southeast Asian forms of kickboxing. This is because ancient kingdom of Angkor dominated most of what is now Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. The basis of the argument that Kun Khmer has existed since 9th century (from the beginning of the Khmer empire) is claimed by many Cambodians to be the bas-relief left behind in the ancient temples of the Bayon and other Angkor temples. The entrance of the Bayon temple has several scenes of Bokator. Among them are two men grappling or wrestling, a man studying a rising cobra and two men fighting using their elbows. Kun Khmer has no "snake technique", but grappling (the clinch) and elbow strikes are integral parts of modern matches.

Much of the writing on ancient Khmer art has either been destroyed or adopted by the invading Siamese armies of the Ayutthaya Kingdom when the they sacked Angkor and took Khmer captives including members of the Khmer royal court back to Ayutthaya Kingdom.

Ultimately Kun Khmer became a sport, during the days of the Colonial Cambodia. When the French came they added western boxing gloves, timed rounds, and a boxing ring to civilize the art. Originally matches were fought in dirt pits with limited rules while hands were wrapped in rope. Some matches had boxers wrap seashells around their knuckles to increase the damage that could be inflicted.

[edit] Rules

A match consists of five three-minute rounds and takes place in a 6.1 meter square boxing ring. A one-and-a-half or two minute break occurs between each round. At the beginning of each match boxers practice the praying rituals known as the Kun Kru. Traditional Cambodian music performed with the instruments skor yaul (a type of drum), the sralai (a flute-like instrument) and the chhing, is played during the match. Modern boxers wear leather gloves and nylon shorts.

  1. A boxer is not allowed to strike his opponent while he is on the ground.
  2. A boxer is not allowed to bite.
  3. When an opponent can not fight anymore, the referee stops the fight.
  4. Blows to the back of the opponent are not allowed.
  5. A boxer may not hold on to the ropes.
  6. Blows to the genitals are prohibited.

Victory can be obtained by knockout. A knockout occurs when a boxer is knocked down to the ground and can not continue fighting after a 10 second count by the referee, a referee may forgo the count and declare a knockout if it is obvious the boxer will not regain his feet unaided. Victory is also obtained from the end of the match when judges decide by a point system which fighter was more effective. If fighters end up with the same score a draw is called.

[edit] References