Dubai: China?s Xiong Zhao Zhong claimed a split decision victory over challenger Denver Cuello from the Philippines to successfully defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) strawweight crown at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) late on Friday.
Fighting before a sizeable crowd, the five-foot Zhong weathered an early aggressive stance from Cuello to wrest the initiative from the fifth round onwards to win 113-113, 115-112, 113-110 and continue his reign as China?s only world boxing champion.
Hosted by Dubai-based KO Promotions, this was reportedly the first ever WBC World Championship title fight held in this part of the world.
?Our plan was clear. We came here to win,? Zhong said after picking up his 21st career victory, which left his Filipino opponent bemoaning the judges? decision.
Cuello said: ?I am very disappointed with the result. I really don?t know what the judges saw there.?
Known as the ?Dubai Boxing Showdown?, the event gave 2012 WBC Silver title champion Cuello an opportunity to win the WBC world belt. The Filipino started on a strong note, connecting a stiff left hand uppercut to send 30-year-old Zhong to the floor.
The Chinese boxer went on a sudden barrage of punches in the fifth round, but still trailed Cuello on points at that stage.
The doctor was called to the ringside in the eighth round as Cuello started showing immobility in his right hand due to an old dislocation. And Zhong seized his chance from then on and, by the ninth round, had his opponent bleeding profusely from a gash on the right side of his forehead.
Zhong shot into the limelight last November, when he tamed Mexican Javier Martinez Resendiz with a unanimous 12-round decision in the Chinese city of Kunming to claim the vacant world crown. His record now stands at 21 wins, including 11 KOs, four losses and one draw.
Cuello earned the right to challenge the world champion after beating another Mexican, Ganigan Lopez, in a two-round total knockout for the silver title last May. Boasting a resemblance to legendary fighter Manny Pacquaio, the 26-year-old had an impressive 33 wins (21 by KO), four losses and six draws going into Friday?s bout.
The night also saw a WBC bout for the Dubai Challenge Cup, with Ndassi Blaise of Cameroon beating American Clarence Tillman in a rather one-sided affair, while Xinhua Wang made it a perfect night for China with a split points decision over Lionel Legada of the Philippines in a featherweight division fight.
Hamza Bouaoud secured a TKO against Shohruh Rusiev, with the referee stepping in at the end of the second round.
In the lone women?s bout staged as part of the undercard, Krystal Winslow beat Dina Yusupova by unanimous decision.
