Tem Moeun, president of the Cambodian Amateur Boxing Federation, has highlighted the lack of quality fighters needed to supply the demand from the ever-increasing number of TV boxing arenas in the Kingdom.

A total of approximately 90 boxers, including those for 30 main card bouts, are needed each weekend to fill slots at TV stations.

“We need to help get our club fighters [both juniors and seniors] to a sufficient standard to fight locally and against international opponents,” he told the Post. “Not having enough professional fighters is due to time constraints. The juniors need at least four years to learn and train to be a professional.”

The president added that boxers largely depend on private support and sponsorships for their livelihoods as opposed to regular fight purses.

National Olympic Committee of Cambodia general secretary Vath Chamroeun said boxing clubs should help their fighters find sponsorship, although Bayon TV promoter Chan Sophal noted that “new fighters don’t seem to be that interesting to the public.”