Its four wins from four for former Olympic champion Zou Shiming.Fists of gold knocked out teenager Yokthong Kokietgym in the seventh round his first professional stoppage as he remains undefeated while continuing his transition up from the amateur ranks.
Entering the ring to a rousing ovation from the fans in Macao, Zou Shiming embarked on the fourth chapter of his professional boxing career. More than 7,000 people filled the Venetian Cotai Arena to see China’s former Olympic icon battle Yokthong, a 19-year-old from Thailand who had already competed in 18 pro fights with 11 knockouts.
The 32-year-old Zou, on the other hand, won his previous three pro bouts by decision. Zou had good movement, fast speed and superb footwork. Zou put the opponent down three times in the round, and finally had a stoppage win for the first time.
There’s no doubting Zou’s boxing skills , after all, he’s won two Olympic gold medals, and three amateur world championships ... but the transition to the professional ranks hasn’t been easy. Although he’s now won all four of his bouts at the pro level, the questions about whether someone with his fighting style can become a title contender never seem to end, but his trainer says the best is yet to come.
Top Rank believes Zou could find himself fighting for a world title by the end of 2014, if he’s able to keep winning from this point forward.
Many boxing critics say slowly, but surely, Zou Shiming is raising the level of his game and working his way up to world title consideration. But his next match is in May, and while remaining undefeated, he still has a lot to prove.