Zou Shiming's title hopes lifted as long-time coach returns

The Chinese fighter said his most trusted aide would work his corner on March 7 against reigning IBF (International Boxing Federation) flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand at the Macao Venetian's Cotai Arena.

There were doubts the Hall of Fame trainer would make the Macau trip and that the American was ready to delegate coaching duties to his assistant, Marvin Zamudio, for the main event of "Showdown at Sands", having been forced to take time off training camp to recover from back surgery recently.

But the 33-year-old Los Angeles-based Zou (6-0-0, 1 KO) insisted Roach would be in Macau to help him put finishing touches to his preparations against the 35-year-old Thai, who will be making the third defence of the title he won in January last year.

"Freddie will help me out as he has always done. In fact, he travelled with me to Shanghai [for promotional activities] and left yesterday so he should be good to go next month," said Zou in a phone interview from Shanghai.

"Freddie will spend a bit of time in Los Angeles resting. Freddie has worked in my corner for all six of my professional fights. We will team up together for a seventh professional fight. This will be our biggest fight together. Nothing has changed."

Zou is expecting a "brand new" Amnat (14-0-0, 5 KOs) when they meet for a fourth time in the 12-round contest for the world title, but the first time as unbeaten professionals.

The Guizhou-native and Thai hero fought three times as amateurs, with Zou winning the last two bouts, but the Beijing and London Games gold medallist insisted that record will count for nothing in Macau.