ON 9 November, Myanmar boxers Thway Thit Win Hlaing and Tun Tun Min met in their third five-round Lethwei (traditional boxing) open-weight championship, held in Hpa-an during the 69th Kayin State Day celebrations. Despite Thway Thit Win Hlaing’s improved strength and powerful punches, he couldn’t secure a victory over Tun Tun Min, leading to a well-matched draw.
The bout began with both fighters cautiously assessing each other in the first round. In the second round, Thway Thit Win Hlaing’s powerful punch prompted Tun Tun Min to take a two-minute break. Thway Thit Win Hlaing intensified his attacks in the third round, forcing Tun Tun Min to take a second standing count. The fourth round brought an exciting exchange of punches, thrilling fans though neither boxer gained a clear advantage. In the fifth round, Tun Tun Min applied relentless pressure, but Thway Thit Win Hlaing managed to defend effectively, evading a knockdown.
At one point, a frustrated Tun Tun Min motioned for Thway Thit Win Hlaing to stop evading, but his strategy remained ineffective. With neither boxer managing to break the deadlock, the fight ended in a draw under traditional Lethwei rules.
A devoted fan of Myanmar boxing remarked, “The weight difference of over 10 kg between these two fighters makes creating a fair match challenging. Thway Thit Win Hlaing came well-prepared, and if he sharpens his tactics, he could be unbeatable. If he stops fidgeting with his shorts and running around the ring, he’ll perform much better. Tun Tun Min, on the other hand, seemed to lack stamina, which impacted his performance. Nevertheless, Tun Tun Min retains his champion title under traditional rules”.
Reflecting on the outcome, Tun Tun Min shared on social media, “I apologize to all the fans; I couldn’t secure the win this time”. — Htun Htun/KZL
