Tonight at 5:00 p.m. ET rising star Zou Shiming will continue his ascent in the sweet science from Macau, China, where he will look to improve to 7-0 against Amnat Ruenroeng on HBO in a flyweight bout that can be live streamed online by clicking this link.
Despite having just six professional fights under his belt, and one lonely knockout victory, Shiming has been thrust into the title picture at flyweight for his fight with Ruenroeng.
"Expect me to be champion," Shiming said. "This will be the biggest test for me."
While his professional resume is scant, Shiming is an accomplished amateur boxer, having won gold at two different Olympics and a bronze medal in a third. He's currently being trained by Freddie Roach, the same man who transformed Manny Pacquiao into a Hall of Famer, and has resurrected the career of Miguel Cotto.
"I am very calm, not nervous," Shiming said. "I have been prepared for this moment for a long time. I am focused on myself -- on executing Freddie's game plan. I felt a lot more pressure when I was in the Olympics. This time the pressure is on Ruenroeng."
Roach in particular has helped Shiming translate his skills from the amateur game to the pro level.
"He fell in love with Freddie and Freddie gave him a whole dose of confidence -- that if he followed Freddie's instructions he would be a good pro. He realized how much pro boxing is very different than the amateurs. Some don't realize that, especially if they were successful in the amateurs. But he realized it right away, that he would have to change his style completely to be successful in the pros," Top Rank CEO Bob Arum said.
Prediction: Zou Shiming def. Amnat Ruenroeng via TKO (Round 6)
[ESPN]
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