ONE Championship: Xiong Jingnan taking it easy on title challengers – ‘I don’t want to injure them’

‘I respect all my opponents,’ strawweight champ says, after ONE boss Chatri criticises her ‘lack of killer instinct’ in decision win over Ayaka Mirua

‘I don’t have the heart to finish my opponents … I will worry about that, because maybe they cannot fight in the next event,’ Xiong adds

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Xiong Jingnan hugs Ayaka Miura after beating her at ONE: Heavy Hitters. Photo: David Ash/ONE Championship

Published: 1:51am, 16 Jan 2022Updated: 12:45am, 18 Jan 2022

Chinese strawweight champ Xiong Jingnan has claimed she is refraining from finishing her opponents because she does not want to injure them.

“The Panda” racked up her sixth successful title defence with a unanimous decision over Japan’s Ayaka Miura at ONE Championship’s Heavy Hitters card on Friday night.

Despite coming away with the win at Singapore Indoor Stadium, the 34-year-old Xiong (17-2) was subjected to criticism by ONE CEO and chairman Chatri Sityodtong after a tame performance.

“Everyone is wondering where the ‘Panda knockout’ is,” Xiong told the Post after the fight. “But I want to make my message loud and clear – it will be in my next fight, or in the other division, because I want to move down to atomweight.

“I want to clear one thing up. I’m aged. I’m much wiser, and more mature,” she added, via a translator. “I have to say I’m a little bit soft.