Chinese star puts on superb show in US to retain world featherweight belt

China's Xu Can lived up to his "Monster" nickname by pummeling the previously unbeaten Manny Robles III in a thrilling encounter to retain his World Boxing Association featherweight title via unanimous decision in Indio, California, on Saturday.

Xu threw an incredible 1,562 punches (landing 402 of them) to Robles' 765 (landing 199) to convince the judges, who scored it 120-108, 119-109 and 118-110.

"I kept my promise that I made before the match, which was to keep the golden belt in China." Xu said in a video to fans posted on Weibo after improving to 18-2 (3 KO).

"I hope the victory brings you joy. I presented you an evolved version of Xu Can, who has already become a monster. I hope you can support me as usual, and I will for sure bring more surprises to you."

With Mexican Leo Santa Cruz moving up to super featherweight, Can could find himself in the mix for the WBA's elite "super" world title. American Shakur Stevenson is the division's WBO champion, with Briton Josh Warrington the IBO champ.

The 25-year-old Xu, who hails from Fuzhou in Jiangxi province, has enjoyed a stellar year, claiming the lesser of the WBA's two world featherweight belts by stunning Puerto Rico's Jesus Rojas in Houston in January.

Xu won his first defense by stopping former champion Shun Kubo of Japan in six rounds in Fuzhou in May, with Saturday's bout the first time a Chinese has defended a world title in the United States.

Xu, China's youngest professional world boxing champion, made his debut in November 2013.

He is China's third world champion following former WBO flyweight king Zou Shiming and ex-WBC minimumweight winner Xiong Chaozhong, who were crowned at the ages of 35 and 30, respectively.

Xu fans made their presence felt with Chinese flags and banners at Fantasy Springs Resort Casino, and their fighter didn't disappoint.

Despite making a big step up in opposition, Robles held his own admirably early on. The 25-yearold, who resides in Los Angeles, scored heavily by countering with right hands to the head.

However, by the fifth round, the momentum began to swing in Xu's favor, as the Chinese star inflicted damage with quick-fire combinations that invariably ended with left hooks to Robles' body.

Robles regained some composure in the 10th to land some telling blows but it was too little, too late as Xu withstood the barrage to edge an enthralling encounter which the lop-sided scorecards did not properly reflect.

Robles fell to 18-1 with eight wins inside the distance.