Chinese boxer Xu Can defends WBA champion

LOS ANGELES -- China's first World Boxing Association (WBA) champion Xu Can succeeded in defending his WBA featherweight title after defeating US challenger Manny Robles III on Saturday night in California.

The 25-year-old Xu impressed the house of audience at the Fantasy Springs Resort Casino in Indio, California, by scoring an entertaining 12 round unanimous decision over previously unbeaten Robles.

Xu, China's third world champion in history, launched attacks to Robles at the very beginning with steady moves and sharp strikes. Xu started to take control of the game from the fifth round. In the end, he outworked Robles and retained his title in front of cheering audience,.

Xu won with scores of 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110 over Robles, who suffered his first loss in professional fight.

"I told everyone I would bring this golden belt home. Now I made it," Xu said after Saturday's win.