Sports Notes - Cambodia's Olympic Stadium Event Bombed - May 2004

James Loving NR Champion Ei Phouthang backs away from attack of Australian challenger Timure Dell.

James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Wednesday May 12, 2004

Cambodia's Olympic Stadium Opening Event Bombed - Thaksin or Thailand Want To Buy Liverpool? - Kevin Garnett Named NBA MVP - Cambodian Football - NR Mail

CAMBODIA'S OLYMPIC STADIUM FIGHT BOMBED

It was the biggest event in Cambodia since the Water Festival. Beyond that it was the biggest event since the Khmer Rouge agreed to stop fighting. Big event or not…. It bombed.

The event? Phnom Penh's TV 5 television production of a championship kickboxing fight between the Khmer champion Ei Phouthang and former champion, Australian Timure Dell. TV 5 televised the main event live.

The two fighters previously met three times with the then champion Dell winning the first two encounters. Phouthang took the title from Dell in 2001. The fourth meeting was held Thursday May 6th on Phouthang's home turf, the 8,000 seat indoor arena at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

It was an event to celebrate. The stadium was returned to the government and the Ministry of Education & Sports April 28th. after several years of renovation and construction buy a Taiwan developer.

When Phouthang entered the ring he looked out of shape and overweight but pranced around the ring exuding the confidence of a stud bull. He appeared to be too confident and cocky in his warm-up prior to the start of the match.

His flabby condition was reminiscent of the shape Buster Douglas' was in after he took Mike Tyson's title and defended it against Evander Holyfield in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

On our card we narrowly gave Phouthang the first round. Between rounds there was an announcement that Hun Sen would give Phouthang $3,000 if he won the fight.

In the second round Dell became more aggressive and started to attack and stalk Phouthang midway through the round. I gave Dell the round.

Dell really turned it on in the third round pounding Phouthang with his fists and repeated kicks to the back of the Khmer's right leg. Dell won that round decisively.

During the break Phouthang looked dazed and tired. When the bell rang for round four Dell attacked and had Phouthang hurt. Phouthang had little movement in his right leg. They were separated and stood across the ring in their respective corners.

When the referee instructed the fighters to continue Dell appeared to recognize that Phouthang was hurt and was ready to be taken down.

Dell pursued his opponent as he headed across the ring. When he was halfway across the ring the stadium was bombed by a group of unhappy fans.

Plastic water bottles were hurled from the upper stands into the ring that sent the fighters sliding on their bellies skidding off the canvas to a safe location. It was like watching a body surfing contest. Some people ducked under the ring for protection.

Spectators in ringside seats were attacked as well. Those fans grabbed their plastic chairs, held them over their heads and started running for the stands. To do so they had to hurdle a barrier. They then ran up the lower stands towards astonished onlookers.

Being one of those onlookers I felt as if I were going to be stampeded by a herd of buffalo as the fans rushed towards me with their blue horns of their chairs on their heads.

After moving to the left out of harms way whilst putting away my binoculars and camera fearing a snatch theft the scrambeling fans settled in under the protection of the overhead of the upper stands.

Scarey stuff but we toughed it out. You know what I'm saying?

Police came and restored order while two thirds of the crowd departed the arena never to be seen again.

After clearing the debris the fights continued but Phouthang and Dell never returned.

So who won? More on that later.

Several days after there was no clear-cut declaration or news report that we know of giving a result decision.

Accusations that Phouthang threw the fight arose. The Cambodia Armature Boxing Federation said they are investigating.

The Cambodia Daily reported that Phouthang is ducking reporters.

There were comments about his condition. A dog bite on his calf muscle was given as an excuse for his poor performance. That raises the question, can't a dog bite be seen and obvious?

It was also revealed (unbeknown to me) that Phouthang was a movie star and the producers of two of his films in production are concerned about the 28-year-old's image.

To sum it up this was one of the funniest things I've ever witnessed in sports. The opening of Olympic Stadium was deserving of a ticker-tape parade and now this. Ohhhh…. Who won the fight? It was a non-decision.

KEVIN GARNETT NBA'S MVP

Kevin Garnett was named the NBA's MVP (Most Valuable Player). It makes Garnett the second high school to the NBA player ever to win the award.

TRIVIA QUESTION:

Who was the first high school to NBA player to win the NBA MVP award? Answer below.

BUY LIVERPOOL? THAKSIN SPEAKS

Thailand's Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's $100 million dollar offer to purchase a 30% share of the English Premiere League team Liverpool has generated a lot of publicity.

In a press conference a portion of which was televised on CNN an English-speaking reporter asked a question IN ENGLISH to the millionaire businessman/prime minister.

Shinawatra gave a curt reply…. "You speak Thai," drawing chuckles from the Thai press.

Could his offhand response be considered arrogance?

It was a remark that was reminiscent of then Brazil national team coach Wanderly Luxemburgo stonewalled and English-speaking reporter by taking several minutes to inform the reporter he didn't feel it was necessary to reply in English since it was translated in Thai. Luxemburgo eventually lost his job.

The question of where Shinawatra's $100 million is coming from was not explained if it were government or private sector funds.

One could ask if any of the money is coming from Thailand's new Elite card that for $25,000 entitles the bearer to enjoy discounts on various items and golf and be picked up at the airport for free.

It's Thailand's way of qualifying those who have that much money to spend to be considered special. As the Thai TV commercial slogan regarding the Elite card states, 'We know you've arrived.'

Now what does that mean? Is that arrogance? Full story coming.

TRIVIA ANSWER: Moses Malone

CAMBODIAN FOOTBALL

NR MAIL

You may remember that I contacted you last December inquiring about the likelihood of being able to watch a football match in Cambodia during my holiday in May? (I) wondered if you knew any more details of if and when a league season is likely to start?

(I will be) in Phnom Penh for Saturday 22nd I imagine. What are my chances do you reckon, although I do realize concrete information is likely to be unavailable?

Many thanks Ian Bruce

NR

The Cambodian Daily reported March 10th that Cambodia was invited to participate in a tournament featuring Asian teams that are struggling to build a program. Countries such as Sri Lanka, East Timor, Afghanistan, Mongolia, Laos and Tajikistan fall into this category. The football Cambodian Football Federation's Tola May knows nothing about the event.

The senior national team has no forthcoming competitions prior to the Tiger Cup to be held in Vietnam and Malaysia in December.

The FA Cup began last week in Phnom Penh. Nine teams are participating including Samart the defending champions of the Premiere League. Games are held every Saturday and Sunday at the Navy Field. Hok Sochetra functions as Samart's player/coach.

The Premiere League has yet to set a start date for its season. Speculation is it will begin after the FA Cup.

© Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com ALL RIGHTS RESERVED