Denver Cuello’s Dubai Title Challenge Became a Test
Denver “The Excitement” Cuello challenged Xiong Zhaozhong for the WBC minimumweight championship in Dubai on June 28, 2013. Xiong retained the belt by majority decision after twelve rounds at the World Trade Centre.
The championship contest
The Filipino southpaw scored a first-round knockdown but fought through a right-shoulder injury. The judges returned scores of 115–112 and 113–110 for Xiong, with the third card level at 113–113.
Cuello had entered the challenge after twelve consecutive victories following a disqualification defeat to Juan Hernández in May 2010. The Dubai result left him with thirty-three wins, five losses and six draws.
Recovery after the title bid
Cuello underwent surgery for a torn right rotator cuff at Makati Medical Center in July 2013. His manager Aljoe Jaro reported that the operation had been successful, beginning a recovery period after the championship contest. Later coverage documented his return toward flyweight contention after further shoulder treatment.
His recovery eventually involved two shoulder operations and a stem cell procedure. During his extended absence, Cuello opened a coffee shop and pursued trading alongside religious activities. He returned in 2019, ending a nearly four-year layoff with a second-round stoppage of Indonesia’s Jack Amisa in Angono, Rizal. That victory renewed his hopes of pursuing championship opportunities in the flyweight division.
Sources
- BoxingScene: Xiong–Cuello result, scorecards and pre-fight winning streak
- Cebu Daily News: first-round knockdown and shoulder injury
- BoxingScene / Ronnie Nathanielsz: Cuello’s July 2013 surgery
- PhilBoxing: Cuello’s later recovery and flyweight campaign
- The Philippine Star: Cuello’s surgeries, time away and 2019 comeback
