How China has started to become a real force in the boxing world, headlined by the likes of Zou Shiming and Xiong Chaozhong.
Boxing was introduced to China as early as the 1920s, but fight fans didn’t really recognize their competitive presence until the mid-2000s. Known for their rigid training programs designed for their national athletes and dominance in several sports in international competitions, China has now produced boxers who are contenders, both at amateur and professional level boxing. China’s Olympic success
It was not until 2004 when China won their first Olympic medal in boxing, with a bronze medal finish by Zou Shiming.
China eventually stood out when they hosted the Olympics in 2008 and topped the boxing medal tally, bagging two golds one silver and one bronze. This was far better than perennial powerhouse Cuba, who took home four silvers and four bronzes.
The medal streak went on to show their vast improvement as the Chinese boxing team continued to secure medals in the 2012 and 2016 edition of the games. Zou Shiming turns pro
After his phenomenal performance at the amateur level, winning three Olympic medals (two golds, one bronze) for China, Zou Shiming decided to take his game to the next level by turning professional.
Considered to be China’s most decorated boxer of all time, Shiming signed a multi-fight promotional deal with Bob Arum’s Top Rank Promotions in 2013. He had his professional debut at the age of 31, in which he won via unanimous decision against Mexican fighter Eleazar Valenzuela.
In his stint with Top Rank, he was trained by coach Freddie Roach, Manny Pacquiao’s top cornerman. The legendary promoter brought something new to the table after the boxing world had seen Shiming’s patented “Kung fu boxing style”, something that makes him unique from other fighters.
Zou Shiming had his first shot at a world title in 2015 but came up short for the IBF flyweight belt, losing to the more experienced Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand. He then found success in his world title hunt after his second U.S. fight, opening the Pacquiao versus Jessie Vargas fight night in 2016. The Chinese pugilist outclassed Prasitsak Phaprom of Thailand for the vacant WBO World flyweight belt. Xiong Chaozhong makes history
The pint-sized fighter out of Wenshan made history after being the first Chinese professional boxer to win a world title. On November 24, 2012, Xiong Chaozhong outboxed Javier Martinez Resendiz of Mexico to win the WBC World minimumweight title. He defended the title twice before suffering a knockout loss to a much bigger Oswaldo Novoa in front of his hometown crowd.
