Xiong Chaozhong

Xiong Chaozhong or Xiong Zhaozhong (born October 3, 1982) is a Chinese professional boxer. He is the first Chinese/Hmong to win a boxing world title, having held the WBC mini-flyweight title from 2012 to 2014.

Early life Xiong was born in rural Wénshān to two Hmong farmers, from which he was the second child. Xiong grew up in poverty and after one year in high school, he dropped out to find work to support his family. Xiong ended up working in coal mines and in a banana plantation. Xiong used to fight often in his youth, resulting in his cousins to convince him to try boxing professionally, so as a result Xiong moved to Kunming. It was in Kunming, China where he began to train under Zovi Boxing behind the Garden Hotel in northern Kunming. While there, he was trained by American coach Abraham Darwish for 7 years. With no amateur experience, Xiong was developed into a world-level fighter.

Professional career

Xiong debuted as a professional shortly after arriving in Kunming with a points draw against Yu Ling Feng on August 15, 2006. Xiong won his next 11 fights, eight of them by stoppage, and claimed the WBC-ABCO Continental light-flyweight title. However, he would lose the title in his first defense, losing a unanimous decision to Filipino journeyman Julius Alcos. On May 26, 2009, Xiong challenged Daisuke Naito for the WBC flyweight title in Tokyo. Xiong had a considerable size disadvantage, but he was able to drop Naito in round 6. Per WBC rules, Xiong had two points deducted for accidental headbutts which opened cuts on Naito. Naito also had a point deduction after an accidental headbutt cut Xiong in round 10. Naito retained his title with a close unanimous decision (114–110, 114–111, 113–111) win. Over the next three years, Xiong suffered two more losses in Japan, losing decisions to Takuya Kogawa and Shin Ono.

Xiong defeated Javier Martínez Resendiz for the vacant WBC mini-flyweight title in Kunming. This victory made Xiong the first Chinese boxer to ever win a world title. Xiong cut Martínez in the third round and outboxed him for most of the fight, winning a unanimous decision (116–114, 116-112 and 119–110). After a further defense, Xiong faced Oswaldo Novoa in February 2014. Xiong was stopped via technical knockout in round 5, losing his world title on his third defense.

On October 25, 2014, Xiong attempted to regain a world title, facing WBA mini-flyweight champion Hekkie Budler in Monaco. Budler and Xiong traded knockdowns in the second and third rounds. The rest of the fight remained close, but Budler retained with a unanimous decision win (114–112, 114–112, 118–108). Xiong's final title challenge took place in 2018, when he faced WBA mini-flyweight champion Knockout CP Freshmart. Knockout outpointed Xiong to take a wide unanimous decision win (118–110, 118–110, 116–112). Xiong announced his retirement after the fight.

Professional boxing record