Championships and accomplishments
Championships
| Awards, records, and honours
|
| Cyrus Washington | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 28, 1983 Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. |
| Other names | Black Dynamite |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Weight | 84 kg (185 lb; 13 st 3 lb) |
| Style | Taekwondo, Muay Thai, Lethwei |
| Team | Phuket Top Team Tiger Muay Thai |
| Rank | 3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo [1] |
| Kickboxing record | |
| Total | 109 |
| Wins | 80 |
| By knockout | 50 |
| Losses | 25 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Other information | |
| Website | Official website |
Cyrus Washington (born October 28, 1983) is an American kickboxer, Taekwondo, Muay Thai and Lethwei fighter. He is former WKA, WMF, WKBF and PK-1 Muay Thai World Champion, as well as former WBC Muaythai USA Champion, WMC and Lumpinee Stadium title contender. [2] [3] In 2012, he competed in the Emmy nominated Thailand VS Challenger TV Series. [4] Washington received worldwide attention for being one of the first successful foreigners to compete in Lethwei in Myanmar. [5] [6]
Washington started training Japanese Kendo at a young age and boxed as an amateur. At 10 years old, he got enrolled in Taekwondo, under WTF Taekwondo, and trained consistently until becoming an elite competitor in the state in Michigan. In 7th grade, when his teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Washington replied: “A kickboxer”. [7]
On February 22, 2010, Washington scored a 1st-round knockout against rising Muaythai star Harlee Por.Pramuk winning the Pk-1 Championship Belt at Patong Boxing Stadium in Phuket, Thailand. [8]
On December 29, 2010, as he was moving up in the ranks, Washington faced 5-times World Muay thai Champion Jomhod Kiatadisak in Phuket, Thailand. [9] Washington went full 5-rounds with the Muay thai legend losing the fight on points to a close decision. [10]
On 6 April 2011, Washington faced Cosmo Alexandre in a Super Fight bout for Battle in the Desert II in Primm, Nevada organized by the Lion Fight Promotions. [11] Alexandre won the fight by decision. [12]
On September 10, 2011, Washington was scheduled to face Dave Zuniga in Winnipeg, Canada for the IKF Intercontinental Middleweight Championship. However, due legal issues and pending charges, Washington was refused entry into Canada the Thursday prior to the event. [13]
On April 28, 2012, Washington faced Ky Hollenbeck at the Legends Muay Thai Championship in San Francisco, California. [14] Hollenbeck won on with a vicious spinning elbow knockout in round one to take the WMC Intercontinental Middleweight (-72.58 kg/160 lb) belt. [15]
On 21 December 2019, Washington faced Thai Fight Champion Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong and lost by on points. [16]
As of 2013, Washington was ranked #5 Middleweight in the world by Muaythai Authority. [17]
In 2010, Washington participate in the first Enfusion Reality TV show called Test of the Champions, [18] a professional kickboxing show produced by It's Showtime in the Koh Samui, Thailand. [19]
On 22 October 2011, Washington faced Stephen Richards at Bangkok Fight Night 11 in Atlanta, Georgia with the WBC Muay Thai National Super Middleweight title on the line. The fight was declared a majority draw and no one walked away with the title. [20]
On 7 September 2013, Washington faced Marcus Fisher the Warriors Cup XVIII event in New Jersey, USA [21] for the WBC Middleweight National Title. [22] [3] Washington was declared the winner by unanimous decision and claimed the WBC Super Middleweight US National Title. [23] [24]
On 14 June 2014, Washington faced Brett Hlavacek and lost the title via unanimous Decision. [25]
On 13 December 2013, Washington faced James Martinez, who represented the United States at The Contender Asia. The fight took place on Take-On Productions in New York with the WKA Welterweight World Championship on the line. [26] Washington claimed the title after knocking out Martinez via spinning back kick to the stomach in the second round. [27]
In 2012, Washington competed in the Thailand based reality television series Thailand VS Challenger broadcast on AXN Network in Asia. [28] The show was nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Non-Scripted Entertainment. [4] The show was a follow-up to Stephan Fox's The Contender Asia. [29]
On July 6, 2022, Washington faced Hungarian Muaythai Champion Joni Mate in the main event at Freedom 6 in Yonkers, New York. Washington won by TKO in the first round to capture the Freedom World Light Heavyweight title. [30]
On 26 September 2010, Washington made his Lethwei debut facing Saw Nga Man who was the Openweight champion at the time. [31] During the fight, Washington landed a powerful elbow on Saw Nga Man. The Burmese then avoided engagement trying to protect his swollen eye from more damage. With no stoppage, the fight ended in a draw according to Traditional rules Lethwei. [32]
"Headbutts? Yeah it's dangerous, but I think all ways of fights are dangerous" said Washington. [33]
A few months before their first fight where Tun Tun Min had beaten Saw Nga Man for the openweight title. Their first meeting was on December 7, 2014 at the inaugural Air KBZ sponsored Aung Lan Championship. In a stunning upset Washington knocked out Tun Tun Min in round three in spectacular fashion. [34] [35] Even after using his time-out Tun Tun Min could no longer continue. Because the bout was considered an exhibition match, [36] the openweight title was not at stake.
The rematch took place 4 months later on April 11, 2015 at Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium in Yangon. Cyrus was once again able to knock out Tun Tun Min with a spinning technique. Unlike in their first fight Tun Tun Min was able to recover during his timeout and eventually knock Cyrus down in the 5th round prompting the corner to throw in the towel. Cyrus later explained that there was some confusion about the rules. He tried to call for a timeout, but according to the official rules you cannot use one in the last round and resulted in the towel being thrown. [37]
On December 20, 2015, Tun Tun Min faced Cyrus Washington at the second Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship, for their third and final fight. [38] The fight ended quickly and Tun Tun Min struck Cyrus on the eye socket. After taking his timeout Cyrus made clear that he did not want to continue, and the match was stopped declaring Tun Tun Min the victor after just 71 seconds. [39] After the fight many fans were displeased with how the fight concluded and threw bottles and other items into the ring. [40]
After facing going 1-1 versus Tun Tun Min, Washington campaigned to fight more Burmese Lethwei Champions and he was set to face Lethwei Champion Too Too in July 2015. [31] [35]
On 26 July 2015, Washington faced Too Too inside the Thein Pyu Stadium in Yangon under traditional Lethwei rules. Before the fight both men had agreed to a potentiel extension of the fight in case the fight went into a draw. [41] The match went for seven rounds rather than the sport's typical five. The fight ended in a draw, but both fighters said did not want to fight for this long again. [34] Cyrus was set to face Tun Tun Min in December for a third and deciding grudge match. [42]
Washington and Dave Leduc being the only two fighter to have stopped knockout artist Tun Tun Min, during Leduc's rise in Lethwei, fans often entertained the idea of a match between the two foreigners. [43] In 2017, Washington officially challenged Leduc, who agreed to a challenge under traditional Lethwei rules. [44] [45]
On August 20, 2017, Washington faced Leduc inside the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, at the occasion of Myanmar Lethwei World Championship. [46] With over 100 fights to his record, Washington was the more experienced fighter of the two with Leduc having only 22 fights. [47] Thought Leduc dominated by applying pressure, drawing blood, and backing his opponent down, the fight was declared a draw under traditional Lethwei rules marking Leduc's fourth title defense in eight months. [48]
On 7 November 2020, Washington challenged Dave Leduc for the second and final time to determine who is the best foreign Lethwei fighter. [49] [50] The fight was held at the Outlaw Saloon in Cheyenne, Wyoming under traditional Lethwei rules inside a cage and Leduc won the fight by TKO. [51] [52] [53]
On 22 July 2018, Washington was involved in a shooting while working security at a Houston nightclub. He suffered gun shot wounds to his lower abdomen and the bullet exited his leg. [54] Washington now lives in Houston, Texas with his children.[ citation needed ]
Championships
| Awards, records, and honours
|
| 1 wins (1 KOs), 3 losses, 3 draws | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-11-07 | Loss |  Dave Leduc | Sparta Wyoming IV | Outlaw Saloon, Cheyenne, Wyoming | TKO | 4 | 2:40 | |
| For the Openweight Lethwei Golden Belt & Sparta Lethwei World Championship | ||||||||
| 2017-08-20 | Draw | Dave Leduc | 2017 Myanmar Lethwei World Championship | Yangon, Myanmar | Draw | 5 | 3:00 | |
| For the Openweight Lethwei Golden Belt & Openweight Myanmar Lethwei World Championship Title | ||||||||
| 2015-12-20 | Loss |  Tun Tun Min | 2015 Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship | Yangon, Myanmar | TKO | 1 | ||
| 2015-07-26 | Draw | Too Too | Monsoon Fight | Yangon, Myanmar | Draw | 7 | 3:00 | |
| 2015-04-11 | Loss | Tun Tun Min | Thingyan Fight 2015 | Yangon, Myanmar | TKO | 5 | ||
| 2014-12-07 | Win | Tun Tun Min | 2014 Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship | Yangon, Myanmar | KO (spinning heel kick) | 3 | ||
| 2010-09-26 | Draw | Saw Nga Man | International Lethwei Challenge Fights | Yangon, Myanmar | Draw | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
| 80 wins (50 (T)KOs, 25 loss, 1 draw | ||||||||
| Date | Result | Opponent | Event | Location | Method | Round | Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-02-02 | Win |  Jesset Campos | Mitten Muay Thai | Clinton Township, Michigan | TKO | 2 | ||
| 2022-09-17 | Loss |  Adrien Rubis | Freedomfighter: Freedom 7 | New York City, New York | Decision (split) | 5 | 3:00 | |
| Lost the Freedom Light Heavyweight World Championship | ||||||||
| 2022-07-06 | Win |  Joni Mate | Freedomfighter: Freedom 6 | Yonkers, New York | TKO | 1 | ||
| Wins the Freedom Light Heavyweight World Championship [30] | ||||||||
| 2019-12-21 | Loss |  Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong | THAI FIGHT: Thai Fest in Patong | Phuket, Thailand | Decision | 3 | ||
| For the 2019 THAI FIGHT 81kg Superfight belt [56] | ||||||||
| 2015-10-11 | Win | Ngoohaopetch Sor.Jor.Surapoj | Max Muay Thai | Bangkok, Thailand | KO | 2 | ||
| 2014-07-19 | Win | JR Hines | Take On Productions | New York, United States | TKO | 1 | ||
| 2014-06-14 | Loss | Brett Hlavacek | Warriors Cup XVII | San Francisco, California | Decision | 5 | ||
| Lost WBC Muay Thai National Super Middleweight Championship | ||||||||
| 2013-12-13 | Win | James Martinez | Take-On Productions | New York, United States | KO (spinning back kick) | 2 | ||
| Wins WKA Welterweight World Championship | ||||||||
| 2013-11-03 | Loss |  Yi Long | 2013 in Wu Lin Feng | Las Vegas, USA | Decision | 3 | ||
| 2013-09-07 | Win | Marcus Fisher | Warriors Cup XVIII | San Francisco, California, United States | Decision | 5 | ||
| Wins WBC Muay Thai National Super Middleweight Championship | ||||||||
| 2013-04-06 | Win |  Strahinja Ivanovic | Warriors cup XV | San Francisco, California | Decision | 5 | ||
| 2013-07-28 | Win | JR Hines | Take On XXI | New York, United States | KO (spinning back kick) | 1 | ||
| Wins 2015 USMTA National Champion | ||||||||
| 2012-04-28 | Loss | Ky Hollenbeck | Legends Muay Thai Championship | San Francisco, California, United States | KO | 1 | ||
| For the WMC Intercontinental Middleweight Championship | ||||||||
| 2011-12-23 | Loss |  Nieky Holzken | Klaar Om Te Bossen 3 | Paramaribo, Suriname | TKO (Cut) | 2 | ||
| 2011-10-22 | Draw | Stephen Richards | Bangkok Fight Night 11 | Atlanta, Georgia | Draw | 5 | ||
| For the WBC US National Championship [57] | ||||||||
| 2011-07-23 | Loss | Kaoklai Kaennorsing | Thailand Versus Challenger Series 2011 | Bangkok, Thailand | TKO | 3 | ||
| 2011-06-23 | Win | Hong Guang | Wu Lin Feng 2011 - USA vs China | Zhengzhou, China | KO (spinning heel kick) | 1 | [58] | |
| 2011-05-14 | Loss |  Cosmo Alexandre | Lion Fight: Battle in the Desert II | Primm, Nevada | Decision | 5 | ||
| 2011-04-05 | Win | Thahan Chai | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | TKO | 1 | [59] | |
| 2011-03-28 | Win | Densakaw | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 1 | ||
| 2010-12-29 | Loss | Jomhod Kiatadisak | Bangla Stadium [10] | Phuket, Thailand | Decision | 5 | ||
| 2010-09-21 | Win | Chalermchai | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO (spinning back kick) | 3 | ||
| 2010-07-01 | Win | Chaiyo Thalangyanyeung | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 3 | ||
| 2010-05-05 | Win | Yodtawan | Bangla Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 1 | ||
| 2010-02-22 | Win | Harlee Por. Pramuk | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO (spinning back kick) | 2 | ||
| Wins the PK-1 Championship Belt [60] | ||||||||
| 2009-07-23 | Win | Thaharneak | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 1 | ||
| 2009-06-21 | Win | Banyat | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 3 | ||
| 2009-05-04 | Win | Komsorn | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO (spinning back kick) | 2 | ||
| 2008-10-17 | Win | Anurak | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 1 | [61] | |
| 2008-02-16 | Win | Chung Noi | Suwit Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO (spinning back kick) | 1 | ||
| 2008-01-12 | Win | Tonphet | Patong Boxing Stadium | Phuket, Thailand | KO | 1 | ||
| Legend: Win Loss Draw/No contest Notes | ||||||||
Lethwei or Burmese boxing is a full contact combat sport originating from Myanmar and is regarded as one of the most brutal martial arts in the world. Lethwei fighters are allowed to use stand-up striking techniques such as kicks, knees, elbows and punches, and the use of headbutts is also permitted. Fighters compete bareknuckle, wrapping their hands with only tape and gauze. Disallowed in most combat sports, headbutts are important weapons in a Lethwei fighter's arsenal, giving Lethwei its name of the "Art of nine limbs". This, combined with its bareknuckle nature, gave Lethwei a reputation for being one of the bloodiest and most violent martial arts. Although popular throughout modern Myanmar, Lethwei has been primarily and historically associated with the Karen people of the Kayin State; the vast majority of competitive Lethwei fighters are ethnolinguistically of Karen descent.
Saiyok Pumpanmuang, formerly known as Saiyoknoi Sakchainarong, is a Thai welterweight kickboxer and Muay Thai fighter.
Umar Semata is a Ugandan middleweight and super middleweight Muay Thai fighter and the former WBC World Boxing Council Muay Thai Interim Super Middleweight Champion.
Tun Tun Min is a Burmese Lethwei fighter of Mon descent, former openweight Lethwei World Champion. In 2014, he became the youngest fighter to ever win the Lethwei Golden Belt, obtaining the title at age 21. Tun Tun Min is considered Myanmar's top Lethwei fighter and is notable for fighting foreign challengers from outside Myanmar.
Dave Leduc is a Canadian former Lethwei fighter. He is a former six-time Lethwei world champion who held the openweight Lethwei Golden Belt and was undefeated under traditional rules KO to win. In 2014, Leduc first gained widespread notoriety by winning his fight in the controversial Prison Fight inside a maximum security prison in Thailand.
Patrick Marcil is a Canadian mixed martial arts and Lethwei coach. He is a sifu in Fangshendo, a modified form of Jeet Kune Do. His students include Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc and UFC middleweight fighter Marc-André Barriault.
Too Too was a Burmese Lethwei fighter who competed in World Lethwei Championship. He was the former WLC Middleweight World champion and was undefeated under traditional Lethwei rules, holding the 75 kg Lethwei Golden Belt from 2015 until his death in 2023. He also competed in a Lethwei superfight at Kunlun Fight 25 in Slovakia. Too Too died while in custody of the Burmese military known as the Tatmadaw on April 26, 2023.
Tun Lwin Moe is a retired undefeated Burmese Lethwei fighter. He was signed to the International Lethwei Federation Japan and was the 60 kg (130 lb) Lethwei World Champion under traditional rules.
The year 2017 is the 1st year in the history of the World Lethwei Championship, a Lethwei promotion based in Myanmar.
The year 2018 is the 2nd year in the history of the World Lethwei Championship, a Lethwei promotion based in Myanmar.
The year 2019 is the 3rd year in the history of the World Lethwei Championship, a Lethwei promotion based in Myanmar.
Theinphyu Stadium is a Lethwei stadium located in Yangon, Myanmar. It is the most notorious Lethwei stadium in all of Myanmar and counts over 5,300-seats. The Stadium is operated by the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation and is the venue choice for most national and international level Lethwei events. In 2018, the stadium was host of The biggest fight in Lethwei history opposing Dave Leduc vs. Tun Tun Min.
Nilmungkorn Sudsakorngym is a Thai Muay Thai fighter. As an amateur, he won the 2015 IMTF World Championship. In 2016 & 2017 as a professional, Nilmungkorn became the SUPER Muay Thai World Champion, winning the tournament two years in a row. In 2017, he also competed in Lethwei for the International Lethwei Federation Japan at Lethwei in Japan 4 in Tokyo.
Soe Lin Oo is a Burmese Lethwei fighter. He is the Golden Belt 60kg Lethwei world champion under traditional rules and is currently competing in ONE Championship.
La Fosse aux Tigres is a 2017 Canadian television documentary about professional fighter Dave Leduc and his journey to Lethwei. The biographical documentary follows Leduc on his way to become world champion and captures his historic fight against Tun Tun Min in 2016 at Thein Pyu Stadium, where Leduc became Openweight Lethwei World Champion and the first non-Burmese to win a Golden Belt. La Fosse aux Tigres was filmed in 3 countries: Canada, Thailand and Myanmar. The documentary was produced by Nish Media and released on November 9, 2017 on Canal D.
Myanmar Lethwei Federation (MLF) formerly known as Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation is one of two major organizations which sanctions professional Lethwei bouts worldwide and the only one who oversees Lethwei competitions in Myanmar.
Tway Ma Shaung is a retired Burmese lethwei fighter considered by many to be the best of his generation and a legend in the sport, his fighting style characterised by his resilience and virtuosity. He was revered for taking on larger and heavier opponents and praised for his commitment to working the body instead of the head.
Thway Thit Win Hlaing is a Burmese Lethwei fighter and current openweight Lethwei world Champion. He is known as counter fighter relying on counters rather than straight offence.
Dave Leduc vs. Tun Tun Min III, also known as The Biggest Fight In Lethwei History, was a Lethwei world title match between undefeated openweight Lethwei World Champion Dave Leduc and former openweight Lethwei World Champion Tun Tun Min that took place at Thein Pyu Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, on December 16, 2018.
