Zhong Wins Historic World Title in China
By Mike Angel Lopez
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 25 Nov 2012
In a fast paced action filled fight, Xiong Zhao Zhong won by Unanimous Decision over tough Mexican Javier Martinez to capture the vacant WBC Minimumweight World Championship in a historic fight in China and become the first ever world champion from China.
The opening bell started at a fast pace with a lot of slam bang action with both fighters unleashing all they had with Martinez winning the round. The second round was still the same with both fighters connecting on every punch and trying to end it early with Martinez winning the round.
The third round both fighters came out at a slower pace sizing each other then at the final 30 seconds of the round; both fighters let go with a huge flurry of punches with Martinez again stealing the round.
The fourth round was still fast and full of action with both fighters not letting up. The fifth round, Zhong was starting to land his mark and connecting on Martinez. Martinez was always going straight forward and pushing the fight to Zhong, Zhong had this round.
In the sixth round, Martinez had this round with big solid shots to the head of Zhong but couldn?t finish off the tough kid from China. This round had its share of both fighters unleashing everything they had. Martinez got the cleaner punches on Zhong.
In the seventh round, and still a very fast paced fight, a clash of heads resulted in a cut on the left eye of Martinez. The fighters never gave up and giving all they had. Round went to Zhong.
The eighth round showed the fight turning into the favor of Zhong as he started controlling the fight. Martinez was not letting this opportunity slipped away; he was still coming forward and not running away. Zhong was finding his target a little easier now.
In ninth round, Zhong was breaking down Martinez with big shots and precision shots and beating Martinez to the punch.
The tenth round saw a rejuvenated Martinez landing some big shots and coming forward and pushing the fight to Zhong. Martinez stole this round.
The eleventh round was all Zhong as he hurt Martinez, but the game Mexican never went down and weathered the storm. Round went to Zhong.
The last and final round was full of action. The fighters came out swinging for the homerun. It was nonstop action with both fighters landing big shots but couldn?t finish off the other fighter. Round went to Zhong.
The judges had scores of 116-114, 116-112 and a ridiculous score of 120-108. This historic fight in China was action packed and a great start to more big boxing events in China. Zhong improved to (20-4-1-11KO) and Martinez goes to (13-4-2-6KO).
Before the start of the world title fight, two heavyweights came out to show what they were made out of. Nigerian Okello Peter (21-6-19KO) was up against American Freddie Miller (3-7-1-2KO). This fight was a stinker. Two tomato cans going at it. In round three, both fighters went down and should have stayed down. In the fourth round, Peter hurt Miller and the referee stopped the fight via TKO.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Mike Angel Lopez.
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