DUBAI - China' s top boxer Xiong Zhaozhong won the strawweight title here on late Friday in a tough fight against Denver Cuello from the Philippines.

Xiong won the fight which took place in the Dubai World Trade Center after nine rounds with 115-112, 113-110, 113-113.

Xiong improved over time after the battle started for him with and his supporters with a setback when he fell to ground in the first round after receiving a left hook from Cuello.

Xiong, however, recovered and after Cuello got injured in his right shoulder his defeat was sealed.

With the fight Xiong improved his WBC standing to 21-4-1 with 11 KOs. Cuello' s sum-up declined to 33-5-6, with 21 KOs.

China’s defending champion Xiong Zhaozhong waves at crowds after beating Denver Cuello from the Philippines at a WBC strawweight fight in Dubai, June 28. [Photo/Xinhua]