Xu Can (徐灿) Ready for WBA World Title Defense Against Shun Kubo (久保隼) May 26 in Fuzhou, China
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 16 Apr 2019
Xu Can (徐灿) -- the reigning world champion from emerging boxing powerhouse, China -- will defend for the first time his WBA Featherweight World Strap against hard-hitting former world title challenger Shun Kubo (久保隼) of Kobe, Japan, this coming May 26 in the historic "Good Luck" (有福之州) Chinese Coastal City of Fuzhou (榕城) in Southeast China.
The announcement was done by fight promoter Liu Gang during a press conference in China attended by the two 5' 9" fighters who faced off serious but friendly towards each other during the plush media event organized by Max Power Promotions.
The show's main star, soft-spoken 25-year-old Xu Can (16-2, 2 KO's) from the Spring City of Kunming in Southwestern China, claimed his WBA 126-pound world title by surprising, outclassing and dethroning hard-hitting Puerto Rican titlist Jesus Rojas (26-3-2, 19 KO's) last January at the Toyota Center in Houston, and his first title defense is just around the corner.
Philboxing China's WBA Featherweight Champion Xu Can and Challenger Shu Kubo of Japan face off.
For his battle against his WBA # 10 Nippon challenger Shu Kubo, Xu Can has been training at Liu Gang's M 23 Boxing Gym in Beijing with his preferred sparring partner 22-year-old Filipino lightweight Joepher Monta?o (10-4-2, 9 KO's), a young fighter who comes from an impressive come-from-behind spectacular ABF title win just weeks ago in Bacolod, Philippines.
Joepher Monta?o as sparring is a smart choice for Xu Can's team as the Filipino is of the same southpaw stance, same height same power punching approach as Shun Kubo. Xu Can is no way near being a devastating hard-puncher so polishing his boxing skills is a must. In contrast, Shu Kubo is a man with proven power in his hands.
Sparring partners. Filipino Joepher Monta?o (L) and Chinese Xu Can in Beijing, China.
Therefore, in theory, the title match could unfold as the classic engagement of the good tactical boxer vs the coming forward knockout warrior. Exciting. Who will emerge victorious?
"Yes indeed, an intriguing battle. Our world champion Xu Can defend against Japanese striker Shun Kubo (13-1, 9 KO's) by the end of next week here in China," assures veteran man of boxing Liu Gang, China's top promoter.
"In addition, WBA world champion Ca?izales will defend against former world champ Sho Kimura. You should remember that Sho Kimura was the man who terrorized and ended the career of former Top Rank's Golden Cow Zou Shiming before? Will Sho Kimura stop Ca?izales too? I think May 26 will give fans an exciting show of good boxing," thinks Liu.
Xu Can and Shun Kubo pose with their promoters.
CANIZALES DEFENDS AGAINST SHO KIMURA
Sure thing, Liu Gang's co-main event features unbeaten Venezuelan brawler, mean striker WBA World Carlos Ca?izales (21-0-1, 17 KO's) defending for the second time his WBA 108-pound World Belt against the above mentioned Japanese star Sho Kimura (18-2-2, 11 KO's) of Tokyo.
However, boxing fans here in Asia are surprised in seeing the 30-year-old Sho Kimura coming back down to 108-pounds because during the last 3 years the awesome samurai warrior has competed exclusively at 112 lbs.
Four pounds at that weight class might be tough to do, especially, when Kimura has grown older and hasn't come down to eight stones in years.
Will the terror of Zou Shiming somehow manage to dominate that further reduction in weight to be strong, fast, and devastating against an aggressive powerful warrior as Carlos Ca?izales, the same unbeaten Venezuelan natural 108-pound destroyer who ravaged, ended and sent to hospital his last challenger unheralded Chinese Lu Bin last July in Malaysia?
In fact, Ca?izales is a man who performs really well in all his world title fights in Asia.
Tough mission, right? But Fans will find out.
The WBA World Title Double-Header May 26 in Fuzhou (福州), China, is a production of promoter Liu Gang of Max Power Promotions in Golden Boy Promotions, and May the Best Men Win.
Photos courtesy of Max Power Promotions.
The author Carlos Costa is a Panama boxing reporter living in the Philippines. Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber/wechat: +639184538152.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weights Set for Tomorrow’s Sanman Boxing Show in General Santos City
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz vs. Erickson Lubin: Can Lubin Tip the Ortiz/Ennis Apple Cart?
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Gibbons’ ‘Thrilla’ regrets
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Vergil Ortiz Jr. and Erickson Lubin Set for Explosive Showdown in Fort Worth
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Ring Officials Announced for Michael Hunter Vs Eli Frankham - York Hall, 5th December
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Baseball in the Sulaimán Family
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Sat, 08 Nov 2025Shields signs $8 million multi year contract with Salita Promotions
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Sat, 08 Nov 2025A TIBUTE TO VICTOR CONTE
Sat, 08 Nov 2025Lhuillier Lauds RP Blu Boys’ Triumph in Japan Tilt
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025FIDE Rated Chess Tournament Pasig Police Board Patrol Checkpoint Challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 08 Nov 2025MANNY PACQUIAO VS. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR. ONCE AGAIN
By Maloney L. Samaco, Fri, 07 Nov 2025NBA Reportedly Met with Congress Regarding Gambling Issues
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025IM Dableo and IM Banawa Headline 17th Kamatyas FIDE Rapid Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 07 Nov 2025VERGIL ORTIZ VS ERICKSON LUBIN FINAL PRESSCON QUOTES
Fri, 07 Nov 2025WBC maintains protection of women's boxing with 2-minute rounds
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 07 Nov 2025