Zhong May Defend The WBC Title Against Wanheng

Thailand's Wanheng Menayothin has been approached to challenge Chinese WBC minimumweight champion Xiong Zhao Zhong in March, with the fight likely to be staged in the United States.

The offer was made by American promoter Gary Shaw during his visit to Thailand last week.

Xiong has to defend the title in March and Shaw wants Wanheng to challenge the Chinese champion in the US.

"We have been informally approached by Gary but we have not yet discussed details," Wanheng's manager, Piyarat Wachirarattanawong, said.

"He wants Wanheng to fight in the US but we have to look into details first."

Ranked second in the division, Wanheng has won all his 25 fights with eight KOs.

Last month, he beat Roilo Golez in Bangkok to retain his WBC international minimumweight title.

Xiong, 30, beat Javier Martinez Resendiz of Mexico to win the vacant WBC minimumweight title in Khunming, China in November.

Xiong (20-4-1, 11KOs) must make his first title defence against Wanheng or top-ranked Cuello D Singwangcha.

"If Wanheng beats Xiong, he must face Cuello in a mandatory fight," Piyarat said.

"But it may be better to let Xiong take on Cuello first and then the winner meets Wanheng."