Xu Can (L) of China competes during the competition with Jesus Rojas in Houston, the United States, on Jan. 26, 2019. Xu Can lifted China's first ever World Boxing Association title here on Saturday after he defeated defending champion Jesus Rojas of Puerto Rico by unanimous decision. (Xinhua/Steven Song)
HOUSTON, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Chinese professional boxer Xu Can won China's first ever World Boxing Association (WBA) title after he defeated defending featherweight champion Jesus Rojas of Puerto Rico with unanimous decision on Saturday night in Houston, Texas, the United States.
Xu, at 24 and 10 months, became China's youngest world professional boxing champion, winning with scores of 117-111, 116-112 and 118-110 over Rojas.
The bout was Xu's second in the United States. "I came here, I knew it was going to be a very hard fight. So I got ready for this fight. I did a lot of work for this," Xu said on his win, "I respect my opponent, Rojas, my friend, he is very tough. But I knew I can win. I can, I can!"
During an interview with Chinese media, Xu said the golden belt meant a lot to him. "This is my dream since childhood, this is the dream of my father, I have it today!"
Xu said his power came from his motherland and the loud cheers from Chinese audience during the fight made him feel strong. "I am Chinese! I knew I can defeat this fighter, I knew I can defend his punch, even though he's very strong."
Saturday's fight was at Houston's Toyota Center, the home court for National Basketball Association (NBA) franchise Houston Rockets where basketball great Yao Ming spent nine stellar years. Xu said it is "a lucky place" for Chinese athletes.
Born in China's Jiangxi Province, Xu started his professional boxing training at the age of 16. Before this fight, he has a record of 15 wins, including two Knock Outs, and two defeats. He is currently the highest-ranking Chinese boxer in the featherweight (126 pounds or 57.15 kg) division, according to boxing stats website boxrec.com.
Xu has been training with famed coach Pedro Diaz in Miami since January 11. Before his trip to the United States, Xu trained with Filipino boxing star Genesis Servania at Beijing's M23 boxing club.
Before leaving for the United States last December, Xu said in Beijing that he was ready for the fight. "Since I learned that I can challenge for a golden belt, I am telling myself I can," said the 24-year-old. "I believe I can bring this golden belt back to China."
Seven Chinese boxers have bid for the world title, but only Xiong Chaozhong and Zou Shiming ever succeeded. Xu is the youngest Chinese boxer winning the golden belt.
