February Boxer of the Month: Lu Bin
March 4th, 2015 / All
The International Boxing Association (AIBA) is delighted to announce China’s Lu Bin as the February 2015 boxer of the month.
Following January’s winner Azat Usenaliev, former AIBA Youth World Champion Bin has enjoyed a superb February after winning the AIBA Pro Boxing (APB) Light Flyweight (49 kg) title.
Lu Bin’s early career
The Chinese boxer began his boxing career at the age of 12 in the Jinan Military region, and his family was surprised that he chose boxing as a profession because he was the first one amongst his relatives who tried the combat sport.
Lu Bin first took part in a regional boxing competition when he was 13 in 2007, and he became involved with China’s national team in 2012 after he claimed a silver medal at the Chinese National Elite Championships.
The exciting fighter then earned a bronze medal at the Ordos Boxing Tournament in China during his first elite international competition.
Lu Bin in the national team
The young Chinese hope arrived to the venue of the 2012 AIBA Youth World Championships as a medal contender, and defeated all of his rivals in Yerevan to secure the gold in the capital city of Armenia after beating Uzbekistan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliyev in the final of the Light Flyweight class.
Bin joined the national elite team in 2013 and took part in the Chemistry Cup in Germany where he walked away with a silver medal.
He then secured a bronze medal at the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Continental Championships, winning the lone Chinese medal in Amman, Jordan, before competing in the last edition of the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
After an unsuccessful Incheon 2014 Asian Games, he joined APB, and defeated all of his first three opponents, Kazakhstan’s defending AIBA World Champion Birzhan Zhakypov, China’s Wu Zhonglin and Philippines’ London 2012 Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga.
Lu Bin’s performance in February
After three excellent initial performances, Bin had to rematch with 23-year-old compatriot Wu Zhonglin for the APB title.
Guiyang-based Wu was the gold medallist in the 2013 China Open Tournament, and won the national title in 2012 when he was able to beat the teenage Lu Bin in the final of the event.
Southpaw Bin controlled their final bout from the first seconds, and displayed his speed and power throughout the eight rounds.
The final verdict of the bout was 79:73 from two judges and 78:74 from the third in favour of Bin, and the classic in China was treated with immense respect from the Hong Kong crowd who were delighted that two of their favourites were competing for such an honour.
Lu Bin received the APB Belt from AIBA President Dr. Ching-Kuo Wu after the bout, and celebrated with his friends and family after the event.
Lu Bin’s quote
“I had only a few international bouts before I won the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Yerevan, Armenia which was my first great success. I am very happy that I have the chance to compete in the APB, as it means for me a new way to check my skills and more opportunity to compete and develop my boxing knowledge.”
