Jing Xiang
The Chinese boxing scene isn't red hot but is certainly heating up in recent years, with the recent success of Can Xu being huge for Chinese boxing. Another hopeful rising through the Chinese scene is Jing Xiang (16-4-2, 3), who has emerged as a real contender in the packed Light Flyweight division.
Xiang struggled early in his career, much like Xu and Xiong Zhao Zhong, but those early setbacks have helped him to develop into the fighter he is today, and become someone who looks almost certain to get a world title shot sooner rather than later.
Born on December 23rd 1989 in Longshan Country, in Hunan Province, Xiang would begin his professional boxing career at the age of 20, fighting his first bout on December 3rd 2010. Amazingly his debut would come in a 10 round bout, as he took on Elmar Francisco in a bout for a WBO Youth title, with Boxrec reporting this was a Super Flyweight title bout and Sina reporting it was at Bantamweight. Amazingly Xiang would win his debut and his first title, with a majority decision over Francisco.
Xiang struggled early in his career, much like Xu and Xiong Zhao Zhong, but those early setbacks have helped him to develop into the fighter he is today, and become someone who looks almost certain to get a world title shot sooner rather than later.
Born on December 23rd 1989 in Longshan Country, in Hunan Province, Xiang would begin his professional boxing career at the age of 20, fighting his first bout on December 3rd 2010. Amazingly his debut would come in a 10 round bout, as he took on Elmar Francisco in a bout for a WBO Youth title, with Boxrec reporting this was a Super Flyweight title bout and Sina reporting it was at Bantamweight. Amazingly Xiang would win his debut and his first title, with a majority decision over Francisco.
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Sadly for Xiang, who is known as the "Rattlesnake", he was matched ridiculously hard, and his second contest would see him losing a decision to Jerwin Ancajas, who would later go on to win the IBF Super Flyweight title. At the time Ancajas was world ranked by the WBO and he would clearly win, though impressive Xiang survived 10 rounds with the future world champion.
Xiang would bounce back from the loss to Ancajas by scoring back to back decision wins over Anuntachai Somnuek, whilst fighting well above the weight we now see him at. Around the time of these fights he was spending time training with Xiong Zhao Zhong, having been invited for the training by Liu Gang, and really developed his skills. Sadly though those skills didn't help when he got on the road and dropped back to back decision losses outside of China, losing in Japan to Ippei Aoki and in Thailand to Morakot CP Freshmart. With a record of 3-3 Xiang's career looked like it was heading no where, though it was clear that his record was second to the improvements he was making. The losses were about getting better, and not protecting his record, and that's ignoring the fact that many felt he had deserved the win over Morakot. Despite the setbacks Xiang had developed his skills and would scored 4 wins over limited opponents back in China to further develop his experience. By now it was becoming clear that he was talented, but that there was still work to do. It clear there was still work needed when he fought to a draw in Japan against the limited Yukiya Hanabusa in Spring 2014. He would then fight to another draw, this time with Ben Mananquil over 12 rounds in a bout for the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight title bout. A rematch with Mananquil would follow 5 months later, this time with Jiang taking a split decision win over Mananquil, who failed to make the Flyweight limit. This was a win that put Jing on the map for many fight fans who following the Chinese scene, and given that Mananquil has gone on to achieve a fair bit since looks a even better win now on reflection. Sadly for Xiang his reign as the WBO Asia Pacific Flyweight champion was a short lived on, and the Chinese fighter would lose belt in his first defense, suffering a surprise stoppage loss to Macrea Gandionco in 3 rounds. This was Xiang's first, and so far only, stoppage loss with a body shot being responsible. The loss to Gandionco saw Xiang stay away from the ring for over a year, before returning in 2016. On his ring return Xiang would take a 10 round decision win over Filipino fighter Joel Taduran, to claim the "interim" WBO Oriental Flyweight title. That title would be upgraded 6 months later and Xiang would defend it against Joy Joy Formentera. Further wins against Rollen Del Castillo, Wichai Somphong and Natthapol Wongzuy saw him building some moment before dropping down in weight to Light Flyweight. In early 2018 Xiang faced off against talented Filipino Dexter Alimento in a bout for the WBO Inter-Continental Light Flyweight title. The bout was hotly contest, but Xiang would take the narrow win over the talented Alimento. The win was a big one for Xiang, who would build on it with a huge, and incredibly impressive, performance against former world champion Merlito Sabillo in a bout for the WBO silver Light Flyweight title. Sabillo, who was a long way removed from his best, was expected to be competitive with Xiang but was schooled over 12 rounds by the Chinese fighter, who took his most significant title to date. Xiang would beat a second successive former world champion when he dominated Kompayak Porpramook in early 2019, dropping the Thai in the final round to take a wide decision win. That bout saw Xiang showing fantastic skills, brilliant hand speed and impressive composure, as he continued to move towards a world title fight. Given the depth in the division it could be a while before Xiang gets a shot at the big, but the 29 year old has been impressive, especially in recent bouts and it does seem like a case of "when" and not "if" he gets a shot at a world title. |
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