At age 11, Eh wanted to start training but was discouragrd by his father. Eh went searching for a teacher, while being coached by people within his village. Since his family was struggling financially, he was sent to live with his father' uncle -- Governor Yuth Phouthong. In the 1980s, Eh Phouthong began training in pradal serey with Yuth Phouthong, who then held the position of
Prey Veng provincial governor. His uncle started a club in Prey Veng province and Eh started training under a different teacher by the name of Mr. Kung Sroy. After getting recognition, Eh moved from Prey Veng province to Phnom Penh and started training with coach Chhit Sarim and coach Kat Phun. His new coach, Chhit Sarim, was an experienced boxer who fought from 1960 to 1975 with 110 fights and only two losses. Eh Phouthong had his first Khmer traditional kickboxing contest at the age of 17. Eh said the first time he competed he only made between $4-$5. Eh initially began fighting at the 48 kg weight class and continued fighting until he reached the 63 kg weight class. Then he moved up to the weight class of 85 kg. According to his coach, Chhit Sarim, many foreign kickboxers didn't dare compete with Eh Phouthong because Eh Phouthong beat them by giving them a broken leg or broken arm. By 2003, he was already national champion for over three years and almost 4 years. In 2003, Eh Phouthong won the Kun Khmer CBA International Championship by defeating
Sudanese fighter,
Faisal Zakaria. He reached the semifinal in the first S1 championship in
Thailand defeating X Rafi from
Spain and losing in the 2nd round up to the eventual tournament champion
Suriya Ploenchit. He previously expressed an interest in wanting to fight
John Wayne Parr. He told reporter Scott Mallon that he had fought five times in Thailand. He had won 4 matches and only lost once on the Kings B-Day in Thailand. He told reporter Scott Mallon that he didn't know much about the fighters in Thailand or elsewhere. By 2006, Eh Phouthong had amassed 150 fights. Of those fights, he had won 140 times. He had lost 6 times and had 4 draws. His local ring appearances decreased as he has aged. In June 2008, he was defeated by decision by American Benjamin Cahe. He won a bronze medal in western
boxing at the
2009 Southeast Asian Games at
Laos in the 81 kg weight division. In 2010, he faced Spaniard, Pitu Sans, in a rematch. In their rematch at TV3, Cambodian kickboxing sensation Eh Phouthong knocked out Spanish veteran Pitu Sans in the first round with a barrage of kicks. Eh Phouthong severely injured the seasoned Spanish fighter with just five kicks, causing damage to an arm and bruising his left shin. Referee Troeung Sossay intervened to deliver the standing eight count after Sans turned away in agony after receiving a series of four right roundhouse kicks in the first round. Although Sans wanted to continue, his corner threw in the towel.
Coaching In 2005, Eh Phouthong started his own gym and boxing club, Eh Phouthong Tonle Bassac Club. Among his boxers were his younger brother, Auth Phouthong. His coach, Chhit Sarim, felt great satisfaction that his student Eh Phouthong was able to open a kickboxing club. This is his following statement on the matter: “I'm really happy. This is the first time I have won this award. It’s a great encouragement for me to put my efforts into promoting our Khmer martial arts.” Eh Phouthong's gym was renamed Galaxy Navatra Eh Phouthong Club after
Okhna Leng Navatra announced a partnership. On July 7, 2023, the Galaxy Navatra Eh Phouthong Khmer martial arts club was inaugurated. The ceremony was attended by Okhna Leng Pros who is general director of Galaxy Navatra group. He said the reason for the partnership with the club was to maintain the achievements and value of Eh Phouthong as the King of boxing in Cambodia. The partnership is set for five years. == Personal life ==