Hard-hitting Zou's pro career lifts off
Mainland's two-time Olympic champion claims unanimous points victory over Mexican on debut before a full house of strident fans
Zou Shiming's Fists of Gold are turning into fists of dynamite after he announced his arrival in the professional ranks with a flashy, unanimous victory last night.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist passed his first test on his way to perhaps becoming a world champion by defeating little-known Mexican fighter Eleazar Valenzuela on points on a spectacular night at the Venetian Cotai Arena.
A capacity crowd of 15,000 and millions more watching the action live on the mainland, witnessed Zou make the transition from world's greatest amateur flyweight to a possible professional title contender.
The 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games champion dominated the 395th-ranked Valenzuela but wasn't able to knock down the tough 18-year-old in the four-round, 112-pound contest.
Legendary coach Freddie Roach stood proudly by Zou, who said he was pleased to have started his professional career on a winning note. Zou also saw his bank account swell considerably. He earned a reported US$300,000 last night, a previously unheard of sum for a rookie professional. Valenzuela made US$15,000, according to ESPN and HBO.
"I'm glad I won and I have to thank everyone who was involved in my preparation. This is a memorable night for me. I must thank the audience," said Zou. "Training wasn't easy for this fight and I am still learning the fight game. This was my first pro fight and it was completely different from my amateur days. I was pressured by my opponent from the start. He's powerful."
The Mexican wasn't intimidated by Zou, who began confidently and continuously landed a series of jabs and right hooks, trying to knock out his opponent from the onset.