Zou Shiming wins debut pro fight

China's Zou Shiming emerged from a tight contest over four rounds, winning a unanimous decision in his professional boxing debut against Mexico's Eleazar Valenzuela at Macau Saturday.

Zou Shiming in action in his debut professional fight.

Zou's high-profile flyweight debut was the centerpiece of a show at the Cotai Arena at the Venetian Macau casino. No Chinese boxer has been as successful as Zou in the amateur ranks and his eagerly anticipated professional debut was expected to draw hundreds of millions of television viewers in China.

"I know I am a rookie, but I am confident I will improve," Zou said through a translator. "I hope I delivered a good show, because that is what I wanted. Thank you to China for supporting me as an amateur and as an Olympian. No matter where I go or where I fight, I will always be Chinese."

Zou won the nation’s first-ever boxing gold as a light-flyweight at the 2008 Beijing Games, then repeated the trick at London 2012. The 31-year-old flyweight then signed with Top Rank promoter Bob Arum, who teamed him with veteran trainer Freddie Roach.

Zou had little trouble catching Valenzuela with big shots, but didn't manage to stop his 18-year-old opponent. Zou's defense was intermittently successful, part of his transition from the amateur game to a pro style.

Zou celebrated winning the match.

"It was a great fight for him. There's something very different between amateur and professional fights," said Freddie Roach.

"He did revert back to his amateur style at various points, but he will get better and better in his pro style and I think we have a future world champion on our hands."

Arum plans to put Zou in a world title fight within a year, and Top Rank is in discussions about another show at the Venetian Macau in August with Zou headlining in a six-round bout.

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