Thoeun Theara (born 5 May 1996) is a Cambodian Kun Khmer fighter and kickboxer. The Kampuchea Thmey Daily previously listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer in early 2023.Virakbot, C. (2 August 2023). អ្នកលេងគុនខ្មែរ១០រូបទទួលបានជោគជ័យខ្លាំងដើមឆ្នាំ២០២៣ [10 Khmer boxers were very successful in the beginning of 2023]. Kampuchea Thmey Daily. https://www.kampucheathmey.com/sports/549746 The Kampuchea Thmey Daily listed him as a top 10 Kun Khmer boxer for 2024.Virakbot, Chean. “ជើងខ្លាំងគុនខ្មែរ១០រូបលេចធ្លោខ្លាំងក្នុងឆ្នាំ២០២៤.” Kampuchea Thmey Daily, 26 December 2024, www.kampucheathmey.com/sports/828657. Accessed 27 December 2024. In 2023, Thoeun Theara won an 8-man tournament and a car. In 2024, Thoeun Theara won an 8-man tournament for the second time and a villa. He also had an undefeated record in 2024. Theara is considered one of the most successful fighters in Kun Khmer.
In 2022, he rose to fame after becoming the first Cambodian boxer to win a title at a Thai Fight event when he won the Thai Fight Kard Chuek 72.5 kg King's Cup Championship by technical knockout against Thai star Saiyok Pumpanmuang in Thailand. After defeating Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization (WMO) ranked Theara #1 in the world Muaythai middleweight rankings (72.5 kg) category.
Early life and personal life Thoeun Theara was born in the Prey Veng province in Cambodia. He spent years working as a labourer in Thailand with his parents. In 2013, when Theara was 15, after a visit to his hometown in Prey Veng with his parents, the family moved back to Cambodia and worked for a brick making business nearby Phnom Penh.
Thoeun Theara is trained by Coach Eh Phouthong who received his training at the National Defense Council Center under Coach Chhit Sarim.Norn, Chhorn. "Theara becomes first Khmer boxer to take Thai title with first round stoppage." The Phnom Penh Post, 26 December 2022, www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/theara-becomes-first-khmer-boxer-take-thai-title-first-round-stoppage. Sothy, Meun. "Khmer kickboxing club established for young generation boxers." Cambodiantown.com, web.archive.org/web/20090105234507/http://www.cambodiantown.com/newsthree.htm.
Career In 2018, Theara was selected for the Kun Khmer National Team.
On 16 July 2023, for his return to the ring after breaking his right arm in April 2023, Theara defeated Romanian Alex Bublea, at the 72 kg weight class to win the Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Championship belt. 500,000 viewers watched the live stream of the event on social media.
On 1 January 2023, after he defeated two top ranked Muaythai fighters in Saiyok Pumpanmuang and Beckham Banchamek, the World Muaythai Organization (WMO) recognized Kun Khmer and put Theara in first place in the world ranking 72.5 kg weight category, becoming the first Kun Khmer athlete to be recognized by the World Muaythai Organization (WMO).
On 5 November 2023, Theara faced Brazilian Daniel Torres and won by KO.
On 23 November 2023, Theara competed and won the 72kg Kun Khmer 8 MEN Tournament IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion in Phnom Penh and got a pickup car from Ganzberg. Thoeun Theara met with Brazilian boxer Bento in the final of the 8 man tournament and defeated the Brazilian player in the first round.Bento ធានាថា ធារ៉ា ប្រាកដជាសន្លប់ជាមិនខាន បើសិន ប៉ះគ្នាម្តងទៀត [Bento guarantees that Theara will faint if they meet again]. (n.d.). Cambo Sport. https://cambosport.net/2023/12/12962/ After the knockout loss in Cambodia, Bento was striped of his Rajadamnern middleweight title. Joe Ryan fought Petchmai and claimed the vacant Rajadamnern Stadium middleweight title.Joe Ryan to face Petchmai for Rajadamnern Stadium title. (8 December 2023). Fight Record. https://fightrecord.co.uk/rws-muay-thai/joe-ryan-to-face-petchmai-for-rajadamnern-stadium-title/ Joe Ryan Wins Rajadamnern Stadium Title, Makes History As First Ever British Fighter To Win The Title. (17 December 2023). Fight Record. https://fightrecord.co.uk/rws-muay-thai/joe-ryan-wins-rajadamnern-stadium-title-makes-history-as-first-ever-british-fighter-to-win-the-title/
In a South Korean Kun Khmer event, Thoeun Theara is scheduled to fight Victor Teixeira, a Brazilian world champion who notably defeated Kongthailand Kiatnavy at ONE Friday Fight 20.Norn, C. (13 September 2024). Kun Khmer fighters ready for historic South Korean tournament. Asia News Network. https://asianews.network/kun-khmer-fighters-ready-for-historic-south-korean-tournament/ Thoeun Theara knocked out Brazilian champion Victor Teixeira in the third round.Norn, C. (16 September 2024). Thoeun Theara stuns Brazil's Victor Teixeira to win first Korean tournament. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/thoeun-theara-stuns-brazil-s-victor-teixeira-to-win-first-korean-title
In 2024, Theara was included in the Forbes list 30 under 30 Asia in the Sports & Entertainment 2024.Navalan, S. (18 May 2024). The Star. Cambodian Bruce Lee named in prestigious Forbes '30 Under 30 – Asia' list
On 16 November 2024, Thoeun Theara competed in an eight-man tournament. In the finals, he fought Australian fighter, Matthew. In the 3rd round, Thoeun Theara used an elbow against the Australian athlete causing referee Lao Sinat to stop the match. Thoeun Theara bowed to his teacher, Eh Phouthong, and won a villa for the match.Phanit. "ធឿន ធារ៉ា ល្អពេកហើយ ក្រោយការប្រកួតចប់គាត់បានធ្វើរឿងមួយនេះចំពោះដៃគូរបស់គាត់" ["Thoeun Theara is so good, after the match he did this to his partner."]. CSB Sport, 17 November 2024, www.csbsport.com/article/p00050.
Martial arts lineage Achar Chhit Sarim -> Kru Eh Phouthong -> Thoeun ThearaNorn, C. (10 April 2025). Eh Phouthong tips big things for Theara, Amarin title defences. The Phnom Penh Post. https://www.phnompenhpost.com/sport/eh-phouthong-tips-big-things-for-theara-amarin-title-defences Sothy, Meun. "Khmer kickboxing club established for young generation boxers." Cambodiantown.com, https://web.archive.org/web/20090105234507/http://www.cambodiantown.com/newsthree.htm .
Championships and accomplishments Forbes 30 under 30 Asia - Sports & Entertainment 2024
Kun Khmer Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion 72 kg Championship belt Krud Kun Khmer 72 kg Championship belt IPCC International 72 kg World Championship IPCC Kun Khmer World Champion (Kun Khmer 8 Men Tournament)
Muaythai Thai Fight Kard Chuek 72.5 kg King's Cup Championship
Fight record
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2026-08-08 || Win || align="left" | Ben Hammou || WURKZ || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 3 || 2:24
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2026-07-05 || Win || align="left" | Karimov Karim || Ganzberg Golden Boy Kun Khmer || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 2 || 1:05
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2026-01-20 || Loss || align="left" | Ruslan Nagiyev || Ganzberg World Kun Khmer 2026 || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO (Spinning back kick) || 1 || 3:00
|- style="text-align:center; background:#fbb;" |||| Loss||align=left | Pavel Grishanovich || Amazing Kunkhmer Festival|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || Decision || 3 ||3:00
|- style="background:#fbb;" | 2025-09-26 || Loss || align="left" | Ruslan Nagiyev || Town Boxing Thoeun Theara vs Ruslan Nagiyev || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO (eye injury) || 1 || 0:46
|- style="background:#cfc;" | 2025-07-03 || Win||align=left| Umar Semata || Ganzberg Golden Boy Kun Khmer || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || Decision || 3 || 3:00
|- style="background:#cfc" | 2025-05-04 || Win||align=left| Abdoulaye Diallo || Wurkz Kun Khmer Warriors|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || Decision || 3 || 3:00
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" || || Win ||align=left | Lucas Carlos Da Silva || Town BoxingThoeun Theara Vs Lucas Carlos Da Silva || Prey Veng Province, Cambodia || TKO || 1 || 0:17
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Stevens Matthew|| Town BoxingThoeun Theara Vs Stevens Matthew, Phnom Penh, 17 November 2024 || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 3 || 1:32
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Victor Teixeira|| Ganzberg Kun Khmer to the World ClassThoeun Theara stuns Brazil's Victor Teixeira to win first Korean tournament, 16 September 2024 || Ansan, South Korea || KO || 3 || 2:35
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Edye Ruiz || Town BoxingThoeun Theara Vs Edye Ruiz, Phnom Penh, 8 August 2024|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 2 || 0:00
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Ji Long Theng || Town BoxingThoeun Theara Vs Ji Long Theng, Phnom Penh, 15 May 2024|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 1 || 00:05
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Podgornov Andrei || Town BoxingThoeun Theara Vs Podgornov Andrei, Kampong Cham, 13 April 2024|| Kampong Cham, Cambodia || KO || 1 || 00:30
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Pavel Grishanovich || Town Boxing, FinalThoeun Theara vs. Pavel Grishanovich, Town Arena, 14 March 2024|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || Decision || 3 ||
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Kim Hyunjun || Town Boxing, SemifinalsThoeun Theara Vs Kim Hyunjun, Town Arena, 14 March 2024|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 1 || 1:30
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Jiao Zhou || Ganzberg Kun Khmer-KungfuGanzberg Kun Khmer-Kungfu: Thoeun Theara Vs Jiao Zhou (China), Komboul Phnom Penh, Town Arena, 19 January 2024|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 1 || 2:50
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Sofian || Champion Kun Khmer Champion Kun Khmer: Thoeun Theara Vs Sofian Morocco, Phnom Penh, Town Arena, 31 January 2024|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 3 || 1:00
|- style="text-align:center; background:#c5d2ea;" || || Draw || align=left | Hassan Vahdani || Bayon TV BoxingThoeun Theara vs Hassan Vahdani, 14 December 2023|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia|| Draw || 3 ||
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Daniel Torres || Wurkz Kun Khmer WarriorsWurkz សេនាគុនខ្មែរពិភពលោក: Thoeun Theara Vs Daniel Torres, Chipmong Mega Mall, Town, 5 November 2023|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 2 || 1:42
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Aboofazei Goodarzi || Kubota Kun Khmer ChampionKubota Kun Khmer Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Aboofazei Goodarzi, BTV Arena, 20 October 2023|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 2 || 1:10
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Nikita Gerasisimovich || Kun Khmer Grand ChampionKun Khmer Grand Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Nikita Gerasisimovich at Town TV, 10 September 2023|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 2 || 0:25
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" |||| Win ||align=left | Alex Bublea || Techo Santepheap Kun Khmer World ChampionTecho Santepheap Kun Khmer World Champion: Thoeun Theara Vs Alex Bublea at Town TV, 16 July 2023|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia || TKO || 1 || 0:50
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" || || Win || align=left | Kangmuang Chhang || Wurkz World Kun Khmer FightWurkz World Kun Khmer Fight: Thoeun Theara VS Kangmuang Chhang at Wurkz Town Arena from Kampot, || Kampot, Cambodia || Decision || 3 || 03:00
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" || || Win || align=left | Sammy Banchamek|| Krud Kun Khmer FightKrud Kun Khmer Fight: Thoeun Theara VS Sammy Banachamek March 18, 2023, || Cambodia || Decision || 5 || 3:00
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" || || Win || align=left | Oussama Elkouche || Bayon TV Boxing Bayon Boxing: Thoeun Theara VS Oussama Elkouche at the Bayon Arena, 26th /02/2023 || Phnom Penh, Cambodia || KO || 2 || 00:52
|- style="text-align:center; background:#cfc;" || || Win || align=left | Chhoeung Lvai || Krud Championship Match Krud Championship Match: Thoeun Theara vs. Chhoeung Lvai at Krud Arena, 18/ 02/2023|| Phnom Penh, Cambodia|| KO || 1 || 00:50