Just 15 months and five fights removed from his professional debut, two-time Chinese Olympic gold medalist and national icon Zou Shiming (4-0, 1 KO),of Guizhu, China, will step up and fight in his first 10-round bout, facing off against hard-punching veteran and three-time world title challenger Luis “Chino” De La Rosa, (23-3-1, 13 KOs), of Barranquillla, Colombia.
Zou, trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, and De La Rosa will headline Champions of Gold, the all-action championship boxing event this Saturday, July 19, at The Venetian® Macao’s Cotai Arena, and the fight will be televised via same-day delay on HBO2, beginning at 5:00 p.m. ET.
ZOU SHIMING
“I am pleased with my progress as a professional fighter but I want to show more of what Freddie Roach has been teaching me. Freddie has been a great teacher and an even better friend and mentor. I’m finally comfortable with the pro style of fighting.
“It may be unusual to move this fast to a 10-round fight but I have confidence in my team and if they think I’m ready, then I will be ready.
“I am not nervous about facing a vastly-more experienced fighter like De La Rosa. I’m very excited about the opportunity. He is the type of fighter I need to beat to earn a world title shot.
“I do feel the pressure of my fans in China to meet their expectations. But my amateur experience, including three Olympics and two World Championships, has prepared me for that pressure. I feel that my style and power are improving and that has bolstered my confidence.”
LUIS DE LA ROSA
“I’m going to be facing a fighter with a great amateur background. But I’m a professional fighter with a lot of experience, and I’m here to win. Zou Shiming is a great fighter, but I’m really experienced at a professional level.
“When I was told about this fight, I immediately took it. I didn’t have to think twice. I have been training for four months.
“I’m ready to take home the victory. Zou Shiming should fear me, because on July 19, in front of all his fans at The Venetian Macao, I’m going make it a nightmare for him.”
FREDDIE ROACH
“Shiming has come a long way in a very short time. I have seen quite a few amateurs take up to four years to learn the pro style. Shiming has done it in 15 months. He is getting the pro style of fighting down a lot quicker than previous Olympians I’ve worked with. The big difference is now he knows he must increase his lead as opposed to protecting a lead, which is what he was taught as an amateur.
“De La Rosa is the best opponent Shiming has faced as a professional. I am confident that Shiming is ready and prepared to go 10 rounds.
“The key for Shiming is to hurt De La Rosa early and set a fast pace for the fight after that. Shiming’s power has really developed. He has discovered power he never knew he had. His jab sets up an overhand right that is killer. He is sitting down on his punches. His combinations are outstanding. When he lands his power punches with 112 pounds behind them, Shiming will make his point to De La Rosa that he belongs.”
