XIONG ZHAO ZHONG BECOMES FIRST CHINESE WORLD CHAMPION
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Nov 2012
FILIPINO TRAINER LITO JALNAIZ SUCCESSFULLY GUIDED ZHONG IN HISTORIC WIN
In the main event of last night's card in Kunming, Chinese fighter Xiong Zhao Zhong (20-4-1, 11KO's) defeated tough Mexican Javier "Demonio" Mart?nez (13-4-2, 6KO's) to capture the vacant WBC Minimumweight World Title, becoming the first mainland Chinese professional boxing world champion in history.
The Xiong-Mart?nez 12-round fight was commanded by top international referee Bruce McTavish, a tall cruiserweight who easily handled the fast moving 105 pounders.
WBC scores were 116-114, 116-112, 119-110, all cards for Xiong, whose cornerman and trainer is Filipino Ninolito "Lito" Jalnaiz (in the photo with Xiong and Xiong manager Liu Gang).
Lito Jalnaiz, 32, a former flyweight fighter born in Bohol, lead Xiong to the historic win, a victory that showcases recent successes of Filipino boxing trainers leading international fighters to score world title triumphs. Last month, Pinoy trainer Romeo Desabille of Davao lead his pupil Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand to claim the WBO bantamweight world title.
Brico Santig commented Xiong's win:
"The Chinese fighter Xiong Zhao Zhong became WBC world champion and a Filipino compatriot was working in the corner. I enjoyed watching that. After the win, Lito Jalnaiz was congratulated by the Chinese for his good performance as a trainer and cornerman. Lito guided Xiong to outclass the Mexican boxer."
The international card in Kunming, China, was a production of promoter Liu Gang, head of Zovi Boxing Promotions. Fights were broadcast live in open television on Yunnan TV.
PHOTO:
Filipino Trainer Lito Jalnaiz (left) with new WBC world champ Xiong Zhao Zhong, and promoter Liu Gang during the successful evening of boxing in Kunming, China.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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