(boxkator) is commonly wrongly described as a variant of modern kickboxing. Bokator has many forms based on styles as well as straight practical fighting techniques. While pradal serey is a more simplified freestyle fighting system which uses a few of the basic (white kroma) punching, elbow, kicking, and kneeing techniques. Pradal Serey Pradal serey, or Traditional Khmer kickboxing, is a popular sport in Cambodia. A match consists of five sets of three-minute rounds and takes place in a 6.1 meter square boxing ring. A one- or two-minute break occurs between each round. At the beginning of each match, boxers practice the praying rituals known as the Kun Kru. Traditional Cambodian music is played during the match. The music is played using the instruments of the skor yaul (a type of drum), the sraliai (a flute like instrument), and the stringed chhing. Boxers wear leather gloves and shorts. Rules: A boxer is not allowed to strike his opponent while he is on the ground. A boxer is not allowed to bite. When an opponent can not fight anymore, the referee stops the fight. Blows to the back of the opponent are not allowed. A boxer may not hold on to the ropes. Blows to the genitals are prohibited. Victory can be obtained by knockout. A knockout occurs when a boxer is knocked down to the ground and can not continue fighting after a 10-second count by the referee. Victory is also obtained from the end of the match, when judges decide by a point system which fighter was more effective. If fighters end up with the same score, a draw is called. History The Khmer Empire was founded in 802 A.D. at a time when many modern Southeast Asian countries didn't exist yet. Martial arts were used by the military of the Khmer Empire. Pradal Serey has its root from the hand to hand combat use by the military of the Khmer Empire. An early version of pradal serey was effectively used by the Khmer Empire to dominate the Southeast Asian mainland. Pradal serey became a sport, during the days of the Colonial Cambodia. When the French came, they added western boxing gloves, weight classes, timed rounds, and a boxing ring to civilize the art. Originally matches were fought in dirt pits with limited rules while hands were wrapped in rope. The Near Extinction of Pradal Serey On April 17, 1975,