The first round of bouts of TV3’s month-long Gold Regent International Kun Khmer Championship  were fought on Saturday. Local boxer Sen Bunthen was awarded a decision victory over Thiago Teixara amidst a chorus of boos from the spectators who believed the Brazilian had deserved the win. Bunthen had lead the first three rounds with some ferocious knee and elbow combinations, but Teixara hit back strongly in round four. In the last round, Bunthen angered the fans by repeatedly avoiding an advancing Teixara before confirming his advance to the 8-man tournament semifinals, slated for February 26. In Saturday’s other bout, Ahmad Vahid of Iran weathered a fourth round fight back from 25-year-old local fighter Ven Sovann to book his place in the next round. Next The remaining two quarterfinal fights at 71kg will be held next Saturday at TV3, with “the Cambodian Bull” Chey Kosal up against Stephen Meikle of Scotland and Svay Rieng’s Thun Sophea facing Thai-American Michael Corley. The final is slated for March 5.