Freddie Roach on a mission to make defeated Zou Shiming a world champion

Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach has vowed to turn Zou Shiming into a "complete fighter" after his protégé suffered a major setback by losing his first world title fight on Saturday - but he knows it will require work.

The Zou camp are reeling from the shock of the two-time Chinese Olympic gold medallist's defeat for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight title in his seventh pro fight at the Cotai Arena.

And they know the Chinese star will have to improve out of sight if he is to earn another world title shot.

Thailand's Amnat Ruenroeng, who despite hitting the canvas in the second round for a standing eight count, proved a hard nut to crack for Zou, who lost a unanimous decision in an anti-climactic end to the Showdown at Sands bill. It was the fourth meeting between the two, with Zou going into the fight with a 2-1 lead, but Amnat winning the biggest encounter of them all.

For Roach and Zou, it's back to the drawing board as they contemplate their next move after suffering their first defeat since joining forces two years ago.

"Maybe we didn't lose the fight, it doesn't matter. We need to work harder and win next time. We have to go back into the gym and make Shiming a more complete fighter," said Roach, who has flown back to the US to oversee Manny Pacquiao's preparations for his mega fight with Floyd Mayweather on May 2.

"He was a very awkward fighter," Roach said of Amnat, who improved his unbeaten record to 15-0, 5 KOs. "He ran a lot and he was a good counterpuncher. I didn't see this kind of fighter on the [video] tapes coming, so we weren't prepared for a lot of those things he was doing."

Roach was surprised by Amnat's mobility as he became an elusive target for Zou, who hardly landed any serious blows during the 12-round contest.