Dave Leduc vs. Cyrus Washington: The Rematch
Considering the circumstances and many restrictions in place currently, this fight is a welcome distraction from all that is happening around us. There have been no lethwei events since April and many of us are hungering for some action. This is not so much a preview of the fight but a short factual rundown of who these two fighters are and what their accomplishments translate to.
After Germany, Australia and Japan, starting 25 years ago, so too the United States is now hosting events featuring lethwei fights. In most of the initial encounters on foreign soil a Burmese national champion was present, it's fitting in a way that Dave Ledus is featured on this show alongside Cyrus Washington.
After a third round knockout at Patong Boxing Stadium on the 20th, it's a quick shuffle to Bangkok the next day to get his visa in order. An anxious Jon Nutt inquires where his fight is taking place in hopes of catching it live, while Will Chope is in awe of the fight taking place at all. A short journey to Burma is ahead - on the 26th of September 2010 Cyrus Washington is set to make his debut in lethwei at an event co-promoted by the Myanmar Thaing Federation and T&T Group held on the 25th and 26th. Featuring two special challenge fights on each day, Thar Thar, Phoe Kay, Soe Lin Oo and Saw Nga Man will be in action. Especially designed event-related belts have been produced for the winners to take home.
Rise of Cyrus
Cyrus was contracted to face their national champion Saw Nga Man, who had earned the coveted national title the year before and had succeeded the internationally popular champion Lone Chaw. The fight between Cyrus and Saw Nga Man was stopped in round two after an elbow to the face. Saw Nga Man had broken his orbital and had no intention of engaging for the remainder of the battle. After a short timeout the fight eventually ended in a draw. Because of his stalling tactics the team from Mae Sot which included Pravit / Thepsamut (who fought Phoe Kay the day before) filed a complaint, and as a result Cyrus received one of the belts as a consolation prize. The official result was never changed and is to this day a draw.
The only official title Cyrus did receive was in his first fight with Tun Tun Min in 2014, who had convincingly beaten Saw Nga Man just 3 months earlier. The inaugural Air KBZ sponsored Aung Lan Championship title carries over from event to event. Essentially you are a champion for a year in your weight-class. Cyrus knocked out Tun Tun Min so bad he couldn't continue despite using a timeout. Since the fight was a non-title fight in relation to Tun Tun Min's status as the national champion, and because they did not introduce any belts yet he only received an Air KBZ Champions title on paper. He lost this title the following year.
His most well-known battle was also while versing Tun Tun Min. A clip of this fight, which took place on April 11, 2015 in Yangon, went viral highlighting the special resting time given to a knocked out boxer. In a rare occurrence, the knocked out boxer ended up winning the fight. Something that in reality almost never happens. It made their fight stand out as one in a million, a means to boast about and display the brutality of lethwei.
The timeout period for a knocked-out boxer is often highlighted but slightly misunderstood. It's an older rule that has evolved over time. It was implemented when fights became finite in length (15 rounds maximum at the time), to ensure they would reach the time limit to keep the audience satisfied. Especially when the total fight length became even shorter (5 rounds maximum), the timeout partially lost it's purpose. Many fights will reach the last round without either corner using their resting period. Audiences have already grown accustomed to events moving in a much more rapid pace than before. In this regard, despite toiling with ancient rules, World Lethwei Championship (WLC) isn't committing the gravest of crimes in removing it. The argument for keeping it is that the draw is as much of a valid result as a win on the traditional circuit. Being able to tough it out, perhaps by using your timeout, may eventually result in some advantageous opportunities.
“Now, I’m telling you. Mark my fucking words. This, it’ s going to be a clear and decisive win. I don’t know how it’s going to happen. I just want to let my body freely move with headbutts and elbows, I don’t care. I just want to finish the guy. ”
Ascension of Dave
After obtaining the national championship from Saw Nga Man in September 2014, Tun Tun Min had only re-matched with two people: Cyrus Washington and Dave Leduc. Granting one to the latter eventually turned into a nightmare, not only for himself, but for his fans as well. Tun Tun Min was injured in the second fight with Dave and had to give up. The damage to his knee and the unbearable pain it brought meant he had to transfer his title. He spent the following 19 months recovering. Brought in initially as a sacrificial lamb like many before him, Dave Leduc found his way to the top in what seemed to be a once-in-a-lifetime event. The attention Dave has received over the years because of his status as Myanmar champion left a sour taste in the mouth of the humble Cyrus Washington. Perhaps as a sign of the times despite having awe-inspiring battles of his own the initial acclaim they received globally, by all appearances, was mild. Cyrus had beaten the same man, for different stakes.
Who was the first man to beat a champion? Who was the first successful (North) American in Myanmar? Just a few of the questions that arose over time. Many did not know the ins-and-outs of what Cyrus or Dave had done until recently. Many believed Cyrus had knocked out Saw Nga Man in that second round and won the fight because of it. Some still believe that the Myanmar national title held by Dave is a world title and is accompanied by a belt. In fact the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation (MTLF) confirmed no “world title” is in existence within their jurisdiction. All of this confusion, jealousy, annoyance and at times hatred had caused a rivalry between the two. Cyrus had a renewed interest in getting his voice heard over all the misconceptions and disregard of his past feats, while Dave feels chased by someone wanting a front-row seat in his spotlight.
This spotlight has in it's current incarnation a 42-year history among the bravest and most grandiose champions, starting in 1978. A short but celebrated lineage of some of the most loved characters in the country riding the coattails of its pioneers Moe Kyoe and Tha Mann Kyar.
Cyrus was visibly frustrated with his performance against Dave after their first fight in 2017. Although the result was a draw, it was clear Dave had the upper-hand throughout the fight. Cyrus went back to focus on his seminars but never let go of a possible rematch. However, on the fateful evening of July 22, 2018 he was shot while on security duty at a Houston nightclub. Although an artery was shattered they managed to save his leg (and life) and he was up and walking again come September. A rebirth is the only description he could give it.
He was back in the ring in November 2019 and once more the journey to validate his legacy in the sport of lethwei was underway. In the meantime Dave added another single-fight championship belt to his name, fought Tun Tun Min for the third time and, after forfeiting positions in the International Lethwei Federation Japan (ILFJ), Myanmar Lethwei World Championship (MLWC) and the Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship, signed with WLC where he won the newly created cruiser-weight title by defeating Seth Baczynski. In fact, Tun Tun Min is now the renewed owner of that MLWC title, which he received by beating Mikhail Vetrila last year. If the situation allows for it, he will defend it against Shwe Yar Man.
“I know Lethwei would’ve gotten the exposure anyway, without him gassing himself up to be more than what he really is. If there is any ‘King of Lethwei,’ the king is Burmese, it’s not Dave Leduc, or however you pronounce his name.”
Navigating a shifting labyrinth
Finding your way among the rules and agreements set by the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation and the associated group of promoters (affiliates) is known to cause a headache. The federation has a tendency to twist it's words and use an infinite arsenal of loopholes created by their lack of consistency and clarity in their documented rules and regulations. Since Dave's victory over national hero Tun Tun Min the gears have been in full motion once again. Currently, any promoter organizing an event in Myanmar through the Myanmar Traditional Lethwei Federation may have Dave on their card as the national champion. Over the border the rules disappear as there are none. The evolution of the sport outside of the country has been so rapid that the federation has been unable to reorganize and update their rules accordingly regarding a multitude of issues (and problems). If someone wants to headbutt a foe in the mouth in a foreign country, he may do so by all means without interference of or adhering to the MTLF.
The federation likes to be in control of the sport yet it is in no position to do so, resulting in awkward call-outs and threats of reprimanding those who ignore their rules — two recent examples befalling the International Lethwei Federation Taiwan (ILFT) for hosting an exhibition, and the WLC after hosting both WLC 12 & 14 in Northern Thailand. This causes Dave to be the Schrödinger’s cat of lethwei where he is the champion as much as he is not and he can essentially make his own rules. It's up to the federation to acknowledge or deny any changes after the fact, at least until they rewrite their pages. Perhaps we may find solace in the words of veteran lethwei promoter Oo Lay Kyar who assures us that “whoever kills the king becomes the king”, regardless of any written rules or lack thereof.
With that said, Dave wishes to defend his traditional title on November 7th. If he were to lose, the ball would be in the hands of the federation to accept Cyrus as the champion. And I believe they would, as it conveniently sets up a few possible fights back in Myanmar together with a chance to bring the title back home as some Burmese strongly feel that the title should belong to a native. In the highly likely chance that Dave retains no harm is done and he will have defended his title, but whether the MTLF acknowledges it is anyone’s guess.
Conclusion
Aside from the geographical aspect and title implication, this is a fight in which only Cyrus has something to gain. The fight is no different than any other champions challenge, as Thamein Bayan vs. Tha Mann Kyar, Wan Chai vs. Shwe Du Wun, Kyal Lin Aung vs. Lone Chaw or Tway Ma Shaung vs. Saw Nga Man were equally, if not more important. The fight doesn't do anything for Dave except add a possible defense. It will however put old hurt to rest and that's the most interesting part of it all. Before he steps into the ring on November 7th, Cyrus Washington had lost a decision to Tengnueng, someone who has been suggested as an opponent to Dave for quite some time. The fact he was able to go the distance with him adds a nice suggestion going into this fight. Will he be able to draw once more and if so, how convincingly?
Leduc has been vocal in claiming the superiority of lethwei over that of muay thai and has negated historic tellings like that of Nai Khanom Tom. With ample deep knowledge of either art, his statements, with loss of reason, have caused a mild stir. It’s certainly befitting the character who has used similar means throughout his short rise to the top. Unfortunately Cyrus is not known for the use of his head so this may not play a part in any clinch situation that may arise. He is also no longer a top contender within the confines of his most practiced art. All in all, it’s an advantage for Dave.
It has to be said that his contributions to the sport receiving greater recognition around the world cannot be denied. Although the increase of curiosity and willingness for people to follow the sport have yet to reach it's peak, his approach however has recently been the subject of debate. The footprints left behind in this endeavour — whether they will wash away or leave a permanent record — is something only time will tell.
The fight is part of the Sparta Wyoming IV card by Sparta Sports & Entertainment. It will be available to watch online via PPV on November 7th.