Chinese Boxer to Make Professional Debut in Macau

Zou Shiming, the first Chinese boxer to turn professional, will make his debut in Macau on Saturday.

Zou will meet the Mexican Eleazar Valenzuela at the Venetian Hotel casino resort in Macau, the Independent reports.

The double Olympic gold medalist has been signed by veteran American promoter Bob Arum. He is being trained in Los Angeles by Freddie Roach, whose stable is headed by multiweight world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Roach describes the 31-year-old flyweight as a good student with great talent who picks up things very quickly.

"Because of his amateur experience, I believe he can be world champion in a very short time," Roach said.

Zou follows tennis star Li Na, hurdler Liu Xiang and basketball ace Yao Ming into a professional career. His has been on a long march after China entered the boxing arena again at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics.

Zou became the first Chinese to win an Olympic boxing medal--a bronze in Athens in 2004--before getting golds in Beijing and London. He also won three amateur world titles.

Observers have suggested Zou's success has come through his fast hands and quick body movements. But boxing analysts caution that he may run into trouble against heavy-punching professionals.

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