Boxing | Zou Shiming ready to make history in first world title fight

A champion gold belt will finally be within reach for China’s Olympic hero, Zou Shiming, when he takes on defending International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng on Saturday evening in Macau’s Cotai Arena.
“This March 7 is going to be a moment when I make and witness my own history,” Zou said at the pre-fight press conference, which was held in The Venetian Macao yesterday. “For this battle, I have put in a painstaking effort with my trainer and my team.”
“Today happens to be my coach Freddie’s birthday. I know the perfect birthday gift for you and I’ll get it for you on March 7,” Zou said to his trainer Freddie Roach.
Zou (6-0, 1 KO), as the rated world number one flyweight contender, will attempt to become the first Chinese Olympic gold medalist to win a professional world title when he challenges Ruenroeng (14-0, 5 KOs) from Thailand.
Since his debut in Macau in April 2013, Zou has shown remarkable pace, making his way towards the world title bout in only six pro fights. He said that his trainer and team have felt a little overwhelmed at the speed of his rise.
“Only I myself know how tough it has been to go through every hour of training. One day, I told Freddie that I wanted to take a rest because I was so exhausted. But I couldn’t. They had to ask more of me in training, because we were aiming for [me to become] a world champion. That normally takes three to four years to achieve,” said the boxer.
Aware of his own effort, Zou said he believes that his ability fits that of a world champion. “It’s just a matter of time,” he said. “This fight I’m definitely going to win.”
In 2012, when Zou Shiming carried on his form in amateur boxing to win another gold medal for China, Ruenroeng turned professional. Beginning with a victory to win the belt he now wears, Ruenroeng wrapped up a highly successful 2014, in which he defended his title twice with two hard-fought split-decisions.
“I cannot give the belt to Zou Shiming, I’ll bring back the belt to Thailand. I’m confident,” Ruenroeng responded to his challenger.
On Saturday’s “Showdown at Sands” fight night, the arena will also see seven undercard bouts, including: an IBF light welterweight title eliminator, which features unbeaten Chinese puncher Ik Yang; a WBA international super flyweight title bout, featuring Hong Kong’s Rex Tso; and a NABO junior middleweight title contest between Australian Daniel Dawson and American boxer Glen Tapia.
The local sensation, “The Macau Kid” Ng Kuok Kun, is aiming to extend his winning streak to seven successive wins by defeating Thailand’s Chinghai Kiatpracha in a six-round super welterweight bout.
“Having achieved a longer unbeaten record brings greater pressure, but I’ll regard it as encouragement for me to win all the way and achieve my goal of ten successive victories,” he said.
Prior to the final press conference, Top Rank CEO Bob Arum announced that “The Wonder Kid” Tso has joined Zou Shiming and Ik Yang as one of the promoter’s signed Chinese boxers, and that Tso will have his first world title fight in Macau this July.
“We are doing a lot of fights now in mainland China, and hopefully we’ll have a whole group of very good Chinese fighters,” said the promoter. Brook Yang

undercards showcase skills in open workout

Undercard boxers participated in an open workout session at The Venetian Macao’s West Lobby yesterday morning, attracting a number of visitors to the casino resort who gathered to witness the fighters’ ring skills ahead of the upcoming fight night.