Jing Xiang OutPoints Merlito Sabillo to Claim WBC Light Flyweight Silver Strap in China

By Carlos Costa

Chinese 108 pounder Jing Xiang (15-4-2, 3 KO’s) outclassed and outpointed Filipino former minimumweight world champion Merlito Sabillo (27-6-1, 13 KO’s) to capture via unanimous decision the vacant WBC Silver Light Flyweight title today Saturday (Sep 15) at Qinzhou Sports Center in Qinzhou City in Southern China.

There were no knockdowns nor cuts over the 12-round proceedings in which the Chinese warrior proved his superiority round after round earning not only the WBC Silver strap, but also place in the WBC Light Flyweight World Rankings.

In addition Jing Xiang, 28, of Tianjin in Northeastern China, gets a step closer to a possible battle for the WBC world title. The reigning WBC 108 world champion is unbeaten 26 year-old Ken Shiro (13-0, 7 KO’s) of Kyoto, Japan.

The fight supervisor for the WBC was Robert “Bob” Yalen of Norwich, Connecticut.

In the co-main feature, Chinese heavyweight Zhiyu Wu (9-2-1, 2 KO’s) scored a unanimous decision win over the taller and heavier Kotatsu Takehara (15-12, 3 8 KO’s) of Nagoya, Japan, to capture the vacant WBC Asian Continental Heavyweight belt. The fight supervisor for WBC Asia was Royal Thai Army Colonel Damrong Simakajornboon.

In a supporting bout, 20 year-old Chinese rookie Shichao Gao (2-0-1, 0 KO’s) defeated by points Filipino journeyman Richard Garcia (27-29-1, 8 KO’s) in a non-title 8-rounder clash in the super featherweight division.

In addition, Chinese super bantamweight Jian Wang (7-1, 2 KO) stopped Yutthichai Wannawong (8-7, 7 KO’s) of Thailand. The referee was forced to intervene to rescue the hurt Wannawong from further torment.

The card’s promoter was China International Sports Industry. Matchmakers were Brico Santig of the Philippines and Zhang Aku of China.

The author Carlos Costa of Panama is Fight Reporter based Cebu, Philippines. Carlos can be reached by email: Carlos512@hotmail.com and Whatsapp: +639184538152.