Arum aims to conquer China with Zou's help
Veteran promoter hopes to cash in on the mainland after double Olympic champion's move into the professional ranks
Having promoted 25 Muhammad Ali fights and been involved with many other great champions past and present, you would think Bob Arum would be ready to finally rest on his laurels.
Not likely. The 81-year-old is still packing a punch as one of boxing's best promoters and despite more than 45 years in the business, promoting the likes of Ali, Joe Frazier, George Foreman, Evander Holyfield and Manny Pacquiao, the Harvard-educated American still gets a kick out of doing what he does best.
"I'm not retiring. Why should I retire when I'm enjoying myself? I will absolutely continue if I can," said Arum, who promoted last night's "Fists of Gold" at the Venetian Cotai Arena.
What excites the Top Rank organisation founder and CEO these days is the huge market China is slowly bringing to the game.
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Zou Shiming made his professional debut last night against Mexican Eleazar Valenzuela and Arum sees a potential goldmine with Zou taking the sport to new heights.
Boxing had been banned for many years during the Cultural Revolution and boxers only returned to the competition fold some 20 years ago. Now, fans are getting excited over the prospect of Zou, who is set to become the sport's first superstar from China.