I’m ready for you, Angela Lee: Xiong ‘The Panda’ Jingnan demolishes her latest opponent as One Championship mega fight becomes a reality in November
China’s Xiong Jingnan retains her One Championship world strawweight title after outmuscling Brazilian challenge as ‘Unstoppable’ Angela Lee watches on
The Panda rose to the big occasion on Saturday night with China’s Xiong Jingnan (16-1) outmuscling and then laying out Brazilian challenger Samara “Marituba” Santos (12-5-1) in the third round to retain her One Championship world strawweight title.
There is no doubt that half a world away in Hawaii the One atomweight world champ Angela “Unstoppable” Lee (9-0) was watching on, and taking notes, as the pair are now set to meet in Singapore in November as Lee moves up a weight division.
The Lee clan were cage side (sans Angela) as Christian Lee was on the undercard on Saturday night in the Baoshan Arena in Shanghai and Xiong made her message loud and clear.
“I am ready,” said the Chinese star. “They say that you train alone and no one knows but when you fight everyone knows what you can do – and I showed tonight that I am ready.”
“I’m improving every day and I’m proud of myself. I’m not the best but I’m improving. Tonight I prepared for all results and it happened right for me. I hope now more people know about me and will love me.”
Xiong knew coming in to the Shanghai bout that the prospect of a super fight was looming and claimed beforehand not to be distracted by it. Well, she can give Lee her full attention now.
The 25-year-old Santos was plucky but ultimately overmatched after a first-round pounding that left her face rising as quickly as her hopes receded. Xiong landed some big rights, threw off the Brazilian after the challenger had taken her back, then almost tuned the lights out with a ground and pound.