Villagers squared off against each other in an amusing boxing match for a festival in Thailand.

Footage shows defending champion Uncle Kla, 54, and Uncle Tor, 53, battling to knock each other into a river during a sports event in Jampalor, Ang Thong province on January 20.

Uncle Kla managed to thwart the challenger, toppling him over with a blow to the face. Both men later received cash rewards for their participation in the local tradition, which is known as 'sea boxing'.

Boat races, volleyball matches, petanque, and tug-of-war games with prizes were also held at the village festival.

Siwakorn Nirandorn, chief executive of the Jampalor Subdistrict Administration Organisation, said the activities were organised to promote camaraderie and physical activity among the villagers, and to discourage drug use.