Yang defends WBC Asia super flyweight crown, now seeks world title

Ruru Yang Sheau-ru’s pro boxing career is just getting started, even after defending her WBC Asia super flyweight crown on Thursday – and now she has her eyes set on the world title.

With her record now up to five wins, three of which were knockouts, the Taiwan-born 28-year-old can now challenge for the global crown.

Yang, Hong Kong’s first female to win a regional title, sealed her fifth victory at Spaceplus in the RCA Plaza in Bangkok, where she defeated Kim Actub of the Philippines by a unanimous decision after a 10-round fight.

“Actub is tough and strong – I could feel the power of her punches right from the start,” said Yang, who turned pro last August. “But I believed in my defence and am strong enough to take those punches.

“I just kept flowing my combo and moved forward to give her pressure, for I knew I had enough stamina to keep throwing combos in those 10 rounds.”

Yang’s aggressive approach in the ring proved favourable for the panel of three judges, all of whom awarded the fight to Yang with scorecards of 98-92, 99-91, 97-93.

Even after her sweeping victory, the flyweight immediately turned to her next goal following the bout.

“Defending my Asian title is going to move me into the world rankings, though it means I am going to face tougher opponents, I feel excited at the same time,” she said.

Yang said she expects tough matches in her quest for the world title, and she is planning to hone her offensive style.

“The fights are going to be more difficult,” the boxer said. “My stamina is good for a 10-round fight, so I may focus on strengthening the power of my punches to increase my chance of a one-punch knockout win.

“There is still some distance between me and the top of the world. It is an entirely different level between regional and world-class level, but rest assured, I will give all my effort in becoming a qualified challenger for the world title.”

Coach Wong Hiu-tung, who has been in Yang’s corner right from the start, agreed she has to “do better” going forward.

“I can tell from this fight that the speed of her punches and the fluency of her combo punches have improved,” he said. “They are at a high level in terms of any regional fights but we need to work harder to challenge the world.

“Following this fight, I have a clearer picture of what she needs, and we have already discussed some directions for our future training.”