The 2011 National Boxing Championship, which has seen an improved attendance from previous editions by fight fans during its opening days of competition at the National Sports Complex, has highlighted a lack of good conditioning of numerous fighters with a high percentage of knockouts or retirements. Out of 34 recorded bouts in the A1 Division from the first two days featuring mainly veteran brawlers, only five managed to last the full five rounds. This year’s tournament, which is running from July 14-23, is said to involve 570 fighters from 18 clubs, according to organisers. The annual event is being hosted by the Ministry of Youth, Education and Sport at a cost of around 300 million riels (US$73,200). TRANSLATED BY IN SOPHENG