DENVER Cuello failed in his bid to wrest the World Boxing Council minimumweight title from champion Xiong Zhao Zhong after losing by majority decision Friday night at the World Trade Centre in Dubai.
The Filipino lost by scores of 115-112 (Roman Filimonov), 113-110 (Sergio Izonzo), 113-113 (John Keane).
Cuello failed to capitalize after knocking down the champion in the first round with a solid straight left as he was forced to fight Zhong with just one hand following the shoulder injury he suffered during the course of the first world championship fight to be held in Dubai.
The 30-year-old Chinese made his way back and rocked the challenger in the fourth round.
Zhong improved to 21-4-1 with 11 KOs in his first defense of the title he won by unanimous decision over Javier Martinez Resendiz last November.
Cuello, a 26-year-old southpaw from Cabatuan, Iloilo fell to 33-5-6 with 21 KOs.