Myanmar’s Soe Lin Oo knocks out Muay Thai champ Iquezang

Soe Lin Oo (left) cornered Muay Thai champ Iquezang of Thailand, and delivers a flurry of punches that knocked out the visiting Iquezang two minutes and 22 seconds into the third round of their match at the Thein Phyu Stadium on Sunday. Zarni Phyo/The Myanmar Times

First class lethwei fighter Soe Lin Oo knocked out Muay Thai champ Iquezang of Thailand in 2 minutes and 22 seconds into the third round of the Lethwei Nation fight 2018 at Thein Phyu stadium in Yangon yesterday.

It was a lethwei versus Muay Thai supreme battle because hometown fighter Soe Lin Oo is talented lethwei fighter while the visitor Iquezang is one of top fighters in Muay Thai.

Myanmar’s Soe Lin Oo knocked out Iquezang with his dual punches and broke unbeaten lethwei records of Iquezang.

Iquezang actually is used to fighting with Myanmar traditional lethwei fighters. This is the third lethwei fight for him. He already met Saw Gaw Muu Do and Phyan Thway in the lethwei ring but he did draw fights. 

But it was the first match for Iquezang to be knocked out in lethwei for which he suffered emotionally.

Despite this bout was finished in third round, this challenge gave lethwei fans a pleasing fight and was a classic battle of wills between two strong fighters. With both fighters noted for their brutal attacking, the fight wasn’t a slow start.

All tempo of fight came in third rounds; both fighters used their dual punches as they stood facing each other. But Soe Lin Oo’s upper-cut was the hardest hit to Iquezang’s face. This strategy was working and Iquezang knocked out after suffering upper-cut of Soe Lin Oo in third round.

“ I’m very happy I was able to knock him out as I have already planned to do so. Iquezang is a tough fighter and he got best record against Myanmar lethwei fighters that’s why I’m so happy for this knockout matc,.” Soe Lin Oo said after the fight.