BEIJING, April 17: China's Zhang Xiyan claimed the nation's first professional boxing title at the weekend when she outpointed America's Alicia Ashley to lift the World Boxing Council (WBC) women's lightweight crown.

Zhang's 10-round unanimous points victory on Saturday delighted home fans in China's southwest city of Chengdu and had the country's boxing officials talking up a new era for the sport.

“This is Chinese professional boxing's first world champion. I believe the boxing world will remember China's emergence and (our) professional boxers' confidence will be stronger,” Chinese Boxing Association director Chang Jianping was quoted as saying in a local newspaper.

Zhang only turned professional three months ago and despite conceding a wealth of experience to her veteran opponent, the 26-year-old's determination gave her a vital edge on the judges' scorecards.

“I was quite nervous competing in my first world title fight,” Zhang told a local newspaper.

“The world title belt is the highest honour in professional boxing.”

Attracting 12 boxers from eight countries vying for various WBC titles, the Chengdu tournament was China's biggest boxing meeting to date.

China's boxers are highly fancied to win medals at Beijing's 2008 Olympics, but the country's professionals have struggled to make a breakthrough until Zhang's success.

“I will be defending my title,” she added. “Everything starts from here.” —Reuters