Chinese boxer Xu Can in action during the fight against Jaouad Belmehdi of France in an International Boxing Organization International Super Featherweight bout on August 15, 2025 in Beijing  Photo: Chen Tao/GT

Chinese boxer Xu Can retained his International Boxing Organization (IBO) International Super Featherweight title after defeating Jaouad Belmehdi of France by unanimous decision on Friday in Beijing.

Nicknamed "The Monster," Xu, whose boxing record now stands at 21 wins and 4 defeats, used his trademark fast punching style to defeat his opponent after 12 rounds. The judges gave Xu the credit 118-110, 117-111, 120-108 over Belmehdi.

"I'm not declining, I am just marching upward on a slope," Xu told reporters. "The preparation for this fight was the most enduring one for me to date."

Heading into Friday's fight, the 27-year-old French fighter, nicknamed "Le bombardier Marocain," had an impressive record of 23 wins, one defeat and three draws.

Xu, now 31, said his future goal is to become the first Chinese boxer to win titles in different divisions. 

Xu became the third Chinese boxer to win a major international title after his victory in the World Boxing Association (WBA) Featherweight title bout in 2019. 

But in 2021 he failed to retain his title, partly because his preparations were impacted by the pandemic.

Typically, a featherweight boxer weighs in at a limit of 57 kilograms, while a super featherweight fighter is between 57 and 59 kilograms.

Xu's success has thrilled Chinese boxing fans, who had longed for a world champion following the retirement of both Xiong Chaozhong and Zou Shiming. Xiong and Zou each won major international boxing titles. 

Xu won the IBO International Super Featherweight title in December 2024 by defeating Jonathan Arenas of Panama by technical knockout.

Also on Friday night, a much-anticipated bout between two Chinese basketballers-turned boxers saw Ge Zhengbo defeat Zhang Ziyi by technical knockout.