Martial Art of the Month: Cambodia - Pradal Serey (Khmer Boxing)

Two years ago I joined a touristy-tour of Cambodia and tried to take a Khmer Boxing class in Phnom Penh. My (Western) tour guide knew very little about it, but hotel staff suggested I try the national sports stadium. The stadium was buzzing with locals playing football, badminton etc, and had a myriad of sports clubs dotted all over it. The problems: 1) Very large stadium 2) Neither me nor my friend spoke any Khmer. So began a hilarious two-hour search with me miming boxing moves to bemused locals. We were directed to Western-style boxing; and a fab-looking, half-built taekwondo HQ. But no Pradal Serey (back then I did not even know that this is the real name for the sport - that would have been rather helpful!) Anyway here's what I was missing out on:

The sport

Pradal Serey (sometimes written Bradal Serey) means lit 'free fighting'. It uses kicks and punches, as well as strikes (knees, elbows) and takedowns. From what I can see, it has many similarities with Muay Thai (which, historically, could figure) but with more emphasis on elbow strikes. In fact it seems Cambodians pride themselves on the fact that it IS the mother of Muay Thai. There is, however, some tension between the Thai and neighbouring martial arts bodies around this!



The history

Pradal Serey's early forms can be traced to the 9th century and the art was likely used by the fierce and successful Khmers* as they built their ancient empire. This stretched across modern Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos, Burma, Northern Malaysia and Thailand (a strong argument for the influence on Muay Thai). The martial art is depicted on old Angkor temples such as Bayon.

It underwent various changes and restrictions during successive centuries, including 19th and early 20th century French colonials attempting to 'civilise' the martial art into a sport, adding a boxing ring etc. A complete ban occurred during the terrible Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s. In fact many boxers were executed during this time, along with other professionals.

Surprisingly after the Khmer Rouge were toppled, the sport has made a successful comeback, with several global governing hubs and huge popularity among locals and on television. It is now one of Cambodia's national sports.

As a performing sport, traditionally fighters were from poor families and were paid by the crowd (with food, gifts etc) for their popularity / entertainment value. Rope bound around hands was used instead of modern boxing gloves.

Khmer warfare depicted at Bayon

Modern practice
Fighters of Pradal Serey are called Neak Pradal. They are trained in a gym by a Pradal Serey Kru (guru/teacher) during their fight career - usually through ages around 15-25.

Today's fighters are paid by the fight - the income from which hugely varies depending on size of tournament, sponsors, the fighter's fame etc - but the crowd can still contribute to their favourite players in the traditional way.

Fights take place in a boxing-style ring, with players kitted in boxing gloves and nylon shorts (usually blue/red). But traditional music will play throughout - even in commercial, televised bouts. Local (and sometimes also international) players perform prayer rituals before the fight.

Neak Pradal training

Fight rules
- Kicks, punches, strikes and takedowns are all allowed
- No strikes to groin, back, or when opponent is on the ground (for example after a takedown)
- The winner is decided by judges on a points system (unless a knockout has occurred)

There is conflicting information regarding the length of bouts. But the general consensus is five, three-minute rounds.

Here is a match between a brave geezer from Manchester and the legendary Eh Phuthong! (Who now stars in movies :) )

*Khmers = the ancient warring people of what is now modern Cambodia. (Hence Khmer language etc) They had a huge SE Asian empire as stated, one of the famous capitals being Angkor (what we see at modern Siem Reap).

Picture credits thanks to: Paddy's Gym, Lacercle.