Bob Arum had desperately wanted a Chinese world champion for his ever-expanding foray into the middle-Eastern market, and after amateur star Zou Shiming came up short against Amnat Ruenrong in his flyweight challenge in March, 140 lb prospect Ik Yang today followed suit and was comprehensively outclassed by 34 year old unknown Argentinian fighter Cesar Rene Cuenca, in his challenge for the vacant IBF light-welterweight title.
Cuenca, whose slate was 47-0 with only 2 knockouts – yes you did read that right – came in having never boxed outside his home country, and at 34 years old, wasn’t necessarily meant to present too tough a task for the fighter known as “The Wildman”.
Sadly for Yang, he more than lived up to his nickname, and was sloppy, slow and continually frustrated by the slick footwork, fast hands and accurate counter punching of Cuencas, who looked every inch the master boxer for the duration of the contest.
