Cyrus Washington

Cyrus Washington born 28 October 1983) is an American kickboxer, Taekwondo, and Lethwei fighter. He is former WKA, WMF, WKBF and PK-1 Muay Thai World Champion, as well as former WBC US National Champion,[1] WMC and Lumpinee Stadium Title contender.[2] In 2012, he competed in the Emmy nominated Thailand VS Challenger TV Series.[3]

Cyrus Washington
Born (1983-10-28) October 28, 1983
Saginaw, Michigan
Other namesBlack Dynamite
Nationality American
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Weight84 kg (185 lb; 13.2 st)
StyleLethwei Taekwondo
TeamPhuket Top Team
Rank3rd Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo
Kickboxing record
Total107
Wins79
By knockout49
Losses24
Draws4
Other information
SpouseVanessa Delagarza
WebsiteOfficial website

Washington received worldwide attention for being one of the first successful foreigner to compete in Lethwei in Myanmar.[4][5]

Early life

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. Washington is now a 3rd degree black belt in Taekwondo.[6] In 7th grade, when his teacher asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Washington replied: “A kickboxer”.[7]

Career

Muaythai

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 April 28, 2012, Washington faced Ky Hollenbeck at the Legends Muay Thai Championship in San Francisco, California.[11] Hollenbeck won on with a vicious spinning elbow knockout in round one to take the WMC Intercontinental Middleweight (-72.58 kg/160 lb) belt.[12]

On 21 December 2019, Washington faced Thai Fight Champion Tengnueng Sitjaesairoong and lost by on points.[13]

As of 2013, Washington was ranked #5 Middleweight in the world by Muaythai Authority.[14]

Enfusion

In 2010, Washington participate in the first Enfusion Reality TV show called Test of the Champions,[15] a professional kickboxing show produced by It's Showtime in the Koh Samui, Thailand.[16]

WBC Title

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.[17]

On 7 September 2013, Washington faced Marcus Fisher the Warriors Cup XVIII event in New Jersey, USA[18] for the WBC Middleweight National Title.[19][1] Washington was declared the winner by unanimous decision and claimed the WBC Super Middleweight US National Title.[20][21]

On 14 June 2014, Washington faced Brett Hlavacek and lost the title via unanimous Decision.[22]

WKA Championship

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.[23] Washington claimed the title after knocking out Martinez via spinning back kick to the stomach in the second round.[24]

The Challenger Muay Thai

In 2012, Washington competed in the Thailand based reality television series Thailand VS Challenger broadcast on AXN Network in Asia.[25] The show was nominated for the International Emmy Award for Best Non-Scripted Entertainment.[3] The show was a follow up to Stephan Fox's The Contender Asia.[26]

Kickboxing

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.[27] Alexandre won the fight by decision.[28]

Lethwei Debut

On 26 September 2010, Washington made his Lethwei debut facing Saw Nga Man who was the Openweight champion at the time.[29] 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.[30]

"Headbutts? Yeah it's dangerous, but I think all ways of fights are dangerous" said Washington.[31]

Tun Tun Min trilogy

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.[32][33] Even after using his time-out Tun Tun Min could no longer continue. Because the bout was considered an exhibition match,[34] 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.[35]

On December 20, 2015, Tun Tun Min faced Cyrus Washington at the second Air KBZ Aung Lan Championship, for their third and final fight.[36] 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.[37] After the fight many fans were displeased with how the fight concluded and threw bottles and other items into the ring.[38]

Facing Too Too

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.[29][33]

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.[39] 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.[32] Cyrus was set to face Tun Tun Min in December for a third and deciding grudge match.[40]

Challenging Leduc

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.[41] In 2017, Washington officially challenged Leduc, who agreed to a challenge under traditional Lethwei rules.[42][43]

On August 20, 2017, Washington faced Leduc inside the Thuwunna National Indoor Stadium in Yangon, Myanmar, at the occasion of Myanmar Lethwei World Championship.[44] With over 100 fights to his record, Washington was the more experienced fighter of the two with Leduc having only 22 fights.[45] 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.[46]

On 7 November 2020, Washington is challenging Dave Leduc for the second and final time to determine who is the best foreign Lethwei fighter.[47][48] They will fight traditional Lethwei rules in Cheyenne, Wyoming inside a cage.[49][50]

Controversies

At 18 years old, Washington was criminally charged for drug possession, concealed weapon and assault/armed robbery ending up spending almost 4 years in prison. After being released, Washington changed his life around and became a professional athlete.

On September 10, 2011, Washington was scheduled to face Dave Zuniga in Winnipeg, Canada for the IKF Intercontinental Middleweight Championship. However, due to a legal issues (pending charges) Washington was refused entry into Canada the Thursday prior to the event. Canada denied him entry because he didn't have the proper work visa.[51]

Personal life

Washington now lives in Houston, Texas with his wife and children.

Championships and accomplishments

Muay Thai & Kickboxing

Awards, records, and honours

Lethwei record
Professional Lethwei record
1 wins (1 KOs), 3 losses, 3 draws
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTime
2020-11-07Loss Dave LeducSparta Wyoming IVCheyenne, Wyoming, USATKO42:40
For the Openweight Lethwei Golden Belt & Sparta Lethwei World Championship
2017-08-20Draw Dave Leduc2017 Myanmar Lethwei World ChampionshipYangon, MyanmarDraw5
For the Openweight Lethwei Golden Belt & Openweight Myanmar Lethwei World Championship Title
2015-12-20Loss Tun Tun Min2015 Air KBZ Aung Lan ChampionshipYangon, MyanmarTKO1
2015-07-26Draw Too TooMonsoon FightYangon, MyanmarDraw7
2015-04-11Loss Tun Tun MinThingyan Fight 2015Yangon, MyanmarTKO5
2014-12-07Win Tun Tun Min2014 Air KBZ Aung Lan ChampionshipYangon, MyanmarKO (spinning heel kick)3
2010-09-26Draw Saw Nga ManInternational Lethwei Challenge FightsYangon, MyanmarDraw53:00

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

Muay Thai record
Professional Muay Thai record
79 wins (49 (T)KOs, 24 loss, 1 draws
DateResultOpponentEventLocationMethodRoundTime
2019-12-21Loss Tengnueng SitjaesairoongTHAI FIGHT: Thai Fest in PatongPhuket, ThailandDecision3
For the 2019 THAI FIGHT 81kg Superfight belt[52]
2015-10-11Win Ngoohaopetch Sor.Jor.SurapojMax Muay ThaiBangkok, ThailandKO2
2014-07-19Win JR HinesTake On ProductionsNew York, United StatesTKO1
2014-06-14Loss Brett HlavacekWarriors Cup XVIISan Francisco, CaliforniaDecision5
Lost WBC Muay Thai National Super Middleweight Championship
2013-12-13Win James MartinezTake-On ProductionsNew York, United StatesKO (spinning back kick)2
Wins WKA Welterweight World Championship
2013-11-03Loss Yi Long2013 in Wu Lin FengLas Vegas, USADecision3
2013-09-07Win Marcus FisherWarriors Cup XVIIISan Francisco, California, United StatesDecision5
Wins WBC Muay Thai National Super Middleweight Championship
2013-04-06Win Strahinja IvanovicWarriors cup XVSan Francisco, CaliforniaDecision5
2013-07-28Win JR HinesTake On XXINew York, United StatesKO (spinning back kick)1
Wins 2015 USMTA National Champion
2012-04-28Loss Ky HollenbeckLegends Muay Thai ChampionshipSan Francisco, California, United StatesKO1
For the WMC Intercontinental Middleweight Championship
2011-12-23Loss Nieky HolzkenKlaar Om Te Bossen 3Paramaribo, SurinameTKO (Cut)2
2011-10-22Draw Stephen RichardsBangkok Fight Night 11Atlanta, GeorgiaDraw5
For the WBC US National Championship[53]
2011-07-23Loss Kaoklai KaennorsingThailand Versus Challenger Series 2011Bangkok, ThailandTKO3
2011-06-23Win Hong GuangWu Lin Feng 2011 - USA vs ChinaZhengzhou, ChinaKO (spinning heel kick)1[54]
2011-05-14Loss Cosmo AlexandreLion Fight: Battle in the Desert IIPrimm, NevadaDecision5
2011-04-05Win Thahan ChaiPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandTKO1[55]
2011-03-28Win DensakawPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO1
2010-12-29Loss Jomhod KiatadisakBangla Stadium[10]Phuket, ThailandDecision5
2010-09-21Win ChalermchaiPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO (spinning back kick)3
2010-07-01Win Chaiyo ThalangyanyeungPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO3
2010-05-05Win YodtawanBangla StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO1
2010-02-22Win Harlee Por. PramukPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO (spinning back kick)2
Wins the PK-1 Championship Belt[56]
2009-07-23Win ThaharneakPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO1
2009-06-21Win BanyatPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO3
2009-05-04Win KomsornPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO (spinning back kick)2
2008-10-17Win AnurakPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO1[57]
2008-02-16Win Chung NoiSuwit Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO (spinning back kick)1
2008-01-12Win TonphetPatong Boxing StadiumPhuket, ThailandKO1

Legend:   Win   Loss   Draw/No contest   Notes

References
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