Overwhelming punches

By Yu Bingxia



Gao Lijun and Jiang Xianyang became the first two Chinese professional boxers to win world-class professional matches at the Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) Junior Title bouts on December 24. The event, held on the 8th floor of the Shanghai Superbrand Mall, attracted hundreds of boxing fans. Three formal bouts between boxers from China, South Korea, Thailand and the Philippines were qualifiers for the title bout, which is scheduled for February 24.

The bout between 21-year-old Chinese female boxer Gao Lijun and 32-year-old South Korean boxer Mihb Kang was the only one that lasted the scheduled six rounds. Gao won decisively without giving Kang a chance in the match.

The 11-years-younger and 4-cm-taller Gao had a natural advantage. Her early blow to Kang's the face made Kang stagger from the beginning of the match. At the same time, Gao stayed arm's length from Kang and avoided all the punches thrown by her opponent. Kang had to lower her head all the time to avoid being fatally punched, but through sheer will she held on until the end. Gao won big on points.

The other two losers were all knocked out in the first round of their bouts.

South Korean male boxer Sumyung Bae was KO'd by Chinese Jiang Xianyang within two minutes, and Rodnky Alba from the Philippines floored Thailand's Tossaporn Atchanakunin the first round with a punch to the face that left the latter unconscious.

Jiang and Alba will fight for the PABA title February 24, while Gao will fight an as yet undecided opponent the same day. Winners will be awarded the first two golden belts in China.

The spotlight was on Gao during Saturday's event.

Sun Shunfu, a boxing coach in the audience said judging from Gao's performance, she has the ability to challenge world-class female boxers.
Gao who braided her hair like Laila Ali, the daughter of famous King of Boxing Muhhamum Alisaid. "I want to be just like Laila Ali, and I hope I can fight her one day in the future." Gao said.

"I think she could even beat Ali," said Sun. "She is young, tall and strong. She has full potential."

Gao, a sophomore at the Shanghai Institute of Physical Education, began to train as a boxer only three months ago. She was a sanshou player before, but easily adapted to the change and intends to be the best female professional boxer in China.

"If there are a lot of excellent boxers like Gao, the boxing market will be as hot as ball games soon," Sun said.

The PABA junior title bout was the first professional boxing match in Shanghai and a trial for developing China's boxing market.

Chang Jianpin, chief of the Tae Kwon Do Administration Centre of National Sports Bureau, said this match could be a milestone.

"It has important meaning both for boxers and boxing fans, as it provided them with a new platform to perform," Chang said.

"We are going to develop a Yao Ming in the boxing ring."
Female boxing is not included in Olympic Games, so the number of women boxers in China is limited. Successes like Gao in professional female boxing could be an important encouragement for more girls to take up the sport.

"Professional boxing is exciting because professionals do not wear helmets like amateur boxers do. Strong fists could slap on boxers' face directly and hurt them badly. That's the charm of boxing," Sun said.

"From now on, every two months there will be a world-class professional boxing match going on, because once a player is awarded a golden belt, they have to fight a world-class bout every two months.

We hope boxing becomes more popular in the future," said Annie Chen from Shanghai Xiaolong Boxing Club which organized the match.