One Championship on Tuesday announced it had awarded Cambodian kun Khmer star Sok Thy a $5,000 win bonus after a controversially close decision cost him his fight with Thai superstar Lerdsila Phuket Top Team on Saturday evening in Macau.
A ONE statement received by The Post announcing the decision came after fervent social media protests from Cambodian fight fans and a formal request from Thy’s trainer Hun Chanreach for ONE to review the fight and give Thy an automatic rematch.
The pair had competed in a ONE Super Series Muay Thai flyweight bout on the main card of ONE: Pinnacle of Power, which took place at Macau’s Studio City Event Center.
After a tremendous back-and-forth battle between the two high-level strikers, Lerdsila emerged victorious after three rounds on a split decision.
Chatri Sityodtong, chairman and CEO of ONE, said: “Upon careful review of the thrilling ONE Super Series Muay Thai contest between Lerdsila Phuket Top Team and Sok Thy, ONE Championship has determined the bout to be extremely close and competitive in nature.
“In light of this, the organisation feels it is appropriate to honour Sok Thy’s outstanding performance with a $5,000 win bonus and an automatic rematch due to a controversial close decision.”
Chanreach, Thy’s coach at Cambodia Top Team, who was in Macau with his fighter for the event, told The Post that he thought his charge dominated the final two rounds and so was happy with ONE’s decision.
Chanreach said: “I am really happy for Sok Thy. This is a good sign from ONE in giving such big encouragement to a young fighter like Sok Thy.”
The win bonus means Thy, 20, from Banteay Meanchey province, doubled his earnings for the fight after his initial $5,000 appearance fee, Chanreach pointed out.
The young kun Khmer kickboxer told The Post on Wednesday: “I am happy, and now I am just focusing on my training, which I will continue doing as hard as I can hard for the rematch.”