It was another big evening of world-class boxing at the Champions of Gold event at The Venetian Macao’s Cotai Arena last month, featuring nine exciting bouts.
Macau locals are quickly becoming committed boxing fans, with a number of major bouts having been held here over the past couple of years.
This time, around 8,000 enthusiastic supporters turned out to Champions of Gold, promoted by Top Rank and Sand China Ltd, to cheer on four Chinese boxers in their respective fights: the hugely popular Rex Tso from Hong Kong; the exciting Ik Yang from Dalian; Macau’s homegrown hitter Ng Kuok Kun; and last but certainly not least former Olympic champion Zou Shiming.
Zou’s fight was the headlining bout, seeing him up against the tough Colombian Luis de la Rosa, competing for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) International Flyweight Title.
This was Zou’s first 10-round fight and De la Rosa was certainly the more experienced boxer, coming into the fight with 23 wins and 13 KO’s to his name, compared to Zou’s four wins and one KO.
Nonetheless, Zou put on a confident performance in front of a rowdy home crowd, beating the Colombian by unanimous decision, in what was a very tough and bloody fight.
“This is one small victory and I am sure there are many challenges along the road. The game plan was to win round by round. After going through 10 rounds, I am more confident of going to 12 rounds, so it’s a big step for me,” said Zou.
Zou’s Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach was also pleased with the result.
“We did 10 hard rounds tonight. It wasn’t perfect but we are going closer and closer all the time. His right hand was great and his power was a bit better. He was throwing more combinations. That’s what I want to see,” said Roach.
Zou, a former two-time Olympic Gold medalist has only been fighting professionally for just over a year, but now has five straight victories.
“Shiming has come a long way in a very short time. I have seen quite a few amateurs take up to four years to learn the pro style. Shiming has done it in 15 months,” noted Roach. “He is getting the pro style of fighting down a lot quicker than previous Olympians I’ve worked with.”
And while it is a fast-track strategy, a shot at the flyweight world title is certainly on the cards in the near future.
“I have been thinking of the world title ever since day one. I have faith in my team and my training staff,” said Zou. “I’m very confident I will be ready for a world title. I am very happy with my physical conditioning.”
The immediate plan after Zou’s victory, was for him to take on IBF flyweight world champion Amnat Ruenroeng, of Thailand, this coming November. However these plans have been disrupted, as Ruenroeng recently announced that he will be defending his title against Puerto Rico’s McWilliams Arroyo in September, instead. So for now, it seems Zou may have to put his world title ambitions on hold until 2015.
In the meantime, coach Freddie Roach will be turning his attention to his other star fighter Manny Pacquiao, who will be returning to Macau to fight against American Chris Algieri on November 23.
Champions of Gold turned out to be a great night for China overall with all four Chinese boxers winning their bouts. Crowd favourite from Hong Kong, Rex Tso defeated John Bajawa of Indonesia by TKO in Round 5, racking up his third consecutive victory in Macau. Ik Yang from Dalian came out very aggressively against Thai fighter Rachamongkol Sor Pleonchit, easily knocking him out in Round 3. And Macau boxer Ng Kuok Kun continued his successful run defeating Beau O’Brien of New Zealand by unanimous decision after six rounds.
