TWAY Ma Shaung continued his five-year unbeaten run on September 5, fighting out a disappointing draw with challenger Zan Htoo in the 2009 Myanmar Traditional Boxing Golden Belt Championships at Thuwanna Indoor Stadium.

The last time Tway Ma Shaung was bested was way back in 2004 when he lost to Kyal Lin Aung. The fans were hopeful Zan Htoo, who is, like Kyal Lin Aung, from the Taung Ga Lay boxing club in based in Kayin State, could at least give him a run for his money, and memories of the furious fights he has had with Myanmar freeweight champ Lone Chaw would no doubt have been fresh in their minds.

But, ultimately, the fans were left disappointed by the challenger’s performance, which only added further weight to the argument that Tway Ma Shaung has no peers.

In the opening minutes Zan Htoo went all out, letting rip a series of punches and flying kicks that did little damage to his opponent but left him open to counterattacks. Tway Ma Shaung responded to Zan Htoo’s bluster with more measured and, ultimately, more effective moves.

But late in the first round the crowd held their breath when a stray finger from Zan Htoo caught Tway Ma Shaung in the eye, sending him to the canvas. After being counted to eight by the referee, Tway Ma Shaung got up and was never seriously challenged after that point.

“I thought Zan Htoo was a bit weak in the strength of his abdomen and lower body. So I tried to hit him in this area with straight kicks and take advantage of his weakness,” Tway Ma Shaung said after the fight.

By the third round, Zan Htoo was visibly tiring and spent most of his remaining energy blocking Tway Ma Shaung’s attacks to his lower body.

In the fourth round, it was Zan Htoo’s turn to hit the deck, and he went down several times under Tway Ma Shaung’s withering blows, finally calling for a two-minute time out.

In the final round, Tway Ma Shaung went for the knockout by increasing his attacks on Zan Htoo’s abdomen area but he couldn’t counter the latter’s negating tactics, the fight ending in a draw.

Afterwards, Zan Htoo admitted he had not been at full strength but could not pinpoint the reason.

“I am healthy and I spent one month training to prepare for this challenge fight. But, while competing with Tway Ma Shaung, I could feel I was weak in strength. I don’t know why but it certainly held me back and affected my performance and technique,” he said.

He said he wanted to challenge Tway Ma Shaung again but next time would prepare by focusing on his strength and stamina.

“Most of the fighters from Kayin State think they are brave and believe this is enough to beat their opponent – the result is they don’t spend long enough training. To beat a guy like Tway Ma Shaung, who practises basically year-round, one month certainly wasn’t enough,” said Zan Htoo’s coach, U Kyaw Soe.

A total of 21 quarter final fights in the golden belt championships were held on September 5 and 6. In the lightweight category, Win Tun defeated Naing Htoo Lwin and Daw Na Aung defeated Sit Aung. In light welterweight section, Saw Zwal Lay defeated Shu Ma Wa, Aung Zay Ya defeated Bar Ma Hti, Kyan Sit Aung defeated Hmyar Ta Sin and Yan Sat Naing defeated Nagis Mone Dine. In the light middleweight category, Star defeated Daung Nyo Lay and Zaw Phoe K defeated Mya Lay New. The winners will take part in the semi finals, which will be held on September 12 and 13.