QINGDAO, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Chinese boxing powerhouse Xiong Chaozhong lost to Thailand's Thammanoon Niyomtrong, the defending World Boxing Association (WBA) minimumweight champion, after 12 rounds here on Friday night.

The 35-year-old Xiong, who beat Javier Martinez Resendiz of Mexico in 2012 to become the first professional boxing champion from China, tested the opponent in the first round.

The Chinese veteran boxer became more aggressive from the second, perhaps buoyed by the enthusiastic home crowd, while the 27-year-old Niyomtrong defended carefully and tried to get points by beating Xiong's belly.

Xiong sped up his attack from the seventh round, but his physical fitness started to decline quickly. After all 12 rounds, the three referees consistently judged that the winner was the defending champion.

Niyomtrong improved his record to 18 wins and no losses.

"I have tried my best," Xiong said in the post-match press conference. "Although losing the game, I don't regret fighting in this challenge."

"Niyomtrong's strength, speed and tactics are perfect, and I felt hard to follow him in the second half," Xiong added.

"Xiong is a very experienced boxer, and I hope we could have chance to fight again," said Niyomtrong.

Also on Friday night, Japan's Sho Kimura, the defending World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion, enjoyed overwhelming superiority in his match against Froilan Saludar of the Philippines and retained the title with a KO in the sixth round.