By Carlos Costa

In an intense 12-rounder, 23 year-old Chinese Qiu Xiojun from the eastern City of Suzhou in China claimed the vacant WBC Asian Super Bantamweight (122 lbs) crown after outpointing unheralded Filipino Jilo Merlin Friday (Aug 9) in Hengyang, Hunan Province, People's Republic of China.

"The Chinese boxer Qiu is a very good super bantam.  He showed that he has speed in his hands, okay power punch, as well as slick movements.    He won by unanimous decision.   Good 12 rounds," were the thoughts of Merlin's manager/cornerman Brico Santig of Baguio's Highland Boxing.

The victorious Qiu Xiaojun (8-2, 3 KOs), handled by Chinese promoters Liu Gang and Wu Shiniu, might have earned a place in the WBC super bantamweight world rankings, while his win reaffirms a new found interest of China in professional boxing. 

Meanwhile, the 25 year-old Merlin (13-17-2, 2 KOs) of Agusan del Sur is managed by Filipino Brico Santig (winner of last year's WBC Asian Promoter of the year Award).

The Qiu-Merlin battle for the vacant WBC Asian Super bantamweight in Hunan, China, was a successful production of the Chinese boxing promotion company Zovi Boxing Promotions.