HIS pro debut turned out well after China?s two-time gold winner Zou Shiming scored a one-sided four-round decision over a game but outclassed Eleazar Valenzuela of Mexico last April 6 in Macau.
Being hyped as the face of China?s professional boxing, Zou had his supporters dreaming of big things for him, but the result of his debut instead resulted in mix reactions even from his team itself.
Initially, Zou?s famed trainer Freddie Roach was all praises for his ward the night they won their debut. Three months later, Roach to some extent admitted the result of their first fight leaves much to be desired.
?It?s his hometown, he?s going to be watched by so many people on TV. We can?t have a lackluster fight like we did last time,? Roach said ?I think the nerves got to him a little bit. I remember I fought my first pro fight it was just different. I was really nervous and I had 150 amateur fights, but as soon as the bell rang everything went well.?
In some ways, Shiming agreed to what Roach has said when asked about his first ever pro fight.
?More or less. But now I?m used to it and I?m ready. In the last couple of months Freddie and our conditioning coach have given me a lot work to strengthen my lower body and were coming from a great training camp I can?t wait to show my stuff,? said Shiming.
For his second pro fight, Zou met another Mexican Jesus Ortega in a six-round main eventer of the card dubbed ?Fists of Gold II? last Saturday in Macau.
It was Zou?s first fight beyond four rounds, both in amateur and pro.
?His power is coming along he?s knocked the wind out of me a couple of times, Pacquiao is the only other guy who did that,? said Roach. ?He just needs to stay focused and attack his opponents like he knows how and I think we?re going to see a great show this time.?
Regarding a supposed improved punching power, Shiming was a bit reserved when asked to comment about a need to score a knockout win.
?Knockout comes at the right time and the right moment so I need to capture that moment,? said Shiming.
Apparently, that moment never came last week as Shiming failed to score a stoppage.
The camp of Shiming is still beaming with confidence that they now actually want to challenge top flyweight contender Milan Melindo.
Melindo fought in the Shiming card, losing by 12-round unanimous decision to WBA and WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico.
?We?ll try to get Melindo for Zou?s next fight in November. We?ll see if we can convince them,? said Shiming?s manager Edmund Chu.
Top Rank?s chief matchmaker Bruce Trampler considers that move as unwise knowing that Melindo was able to prove his worth despite losing to Estrada.
?Basically, we give our opinion to our fighters. But whatever fight they want, we usually give them. But there?s an old saying, ?be careful of what you wish for?,? said Trampler.
PREPARING FOR THE BEST. The camp of Mexican-American Brandon Rios said they will be preparing for the best Manny Pacquiao once their two-week press tour ends.
According to Rios and his trainer Robert Garcia, they are not paying attention to the last two fights of Pacquiao, where the Filipino boxing sensation lost by decision to American Timothy Bradley and by knockout to Juan Manuel Marquez of Mexico.
?We will be preparing for the best of Manny Pacquiao. The one who has beaten the beast out there,? said Rios.
Garcia for his part said he will be assembling sparring partners who can simulate a strong and cat-quick Pacquiao.
?We?re still determining who to tap but we will be getting the best sparmates we can get. I?ts going to be a tough training camp but Brandon is eager to start training,? said Garcia.
Meantime from Macau, Shanghai and Beijing, the fight?s press tour will proceed to Singapore to complete the Asian trip. They will then fly to Connecticut and Los Angeles for the United States leg.
From there, Pacquiao will start his training camp in General Santos City will Rios? camp will commence in Oxnard.
Rios said he plans to plane in to Macau 10 days before the fight.
?I have no worries about jetlag. I arrived in Macau for the press tour and stayed there for a couple days and everything went well. I want to train in Oxnard to be with my family,? said Rios.
The 12-round battle between Pacquiao and Rios will happen on Nov. 24 at the Venentian Hotel in Macau.
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