Zou Shiming to fight 6-round bout in Macao July 27

May 15, 2013

Two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming will return to Macao on Saturday, July 27, to fight in his second professional bout where he will headline a card featuring two accompanying world championship fights.

Shiming's bout will be scheduled for six rounds, an increase from his recent four-round professional debut, and perhaps an indication that his handlers are looking to accelerate his development in order to get him in more high-profile fights.

"I was very pleased with how quickly Shiming learned what I was teaching during our first training camp and he is the hardest worker in the gym," said Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach. "This time our main focus will be on getting him to punch harder. Shiming will need to learn how to sit down on his punches to maximize their power. I cannot wait to start working with him again."

Zou (1-0), from Guizhou, China, won his April 6 debut via a dominant four-round unanimous decision over gritty Eleazar Valenzuela of Mexico.

Zou, a flyweight, will be graduating to a six-round bout when he faces México's Jesus Ortega (3-1, 2 KOs). A stablemate of world flyweight champion Juan Estrada, the hard-hitting Ortega is an exciting prospect who is entering this fight on a roll, having won his last two fights – his most recent a third-round knockout victory against Arcadio Sanchez on April 19.

"We know Zou well and have seen him fight," said Alfredo Lopez, Ortega's trainer. "He was a very decorated amateur fighter. But Jesus is no amateur. Jesus spars with the best flyweights in the world, including Juan Estrada and Tyson Marquez. On July 27, Zou Shiming will become another stepping stone on the path to where we are going with Jesus, and that is to become Sonora's next world champion."

In addition to Zou's return, the undercard is highlighted by two 12-round world championship fights.

"The exciting matches taking place at The Venetian Macao’s CotaiArena on July 27 highlight the fact that boxing is a major global sport," said Hall of Fame promoter Bob Arum.

WBO and WBA flyweight champion Juan Estrada (22-2, 17 KOs), of Hermosillo, México, will be facing undefeated Milan Melindo (28-0, 11 KOs), of Manadue, Philippines. Melindo, the number one contender, earned his shot at the title by knocking out Tommy Seran.

In addition, undefeated IBF featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs), a native of Russia, now fighting from Oxnard, California, will be making his first title defense against number one contender and mandatory challenger Mauricio Muñoz (26-3, 12 KOs), of San Juan, Argentina.

Gradovich captured the world title on March 1 when he dethroned defending champion Billy Dib via a split decision. Muñoz earned his title shot by defeating previously unbeaten contender Luis Franco.

The international telecast will open with a 10-round heavyweight rumble between undefeated contenders Andy Ruiz, Jr. (18-0, 12 KOs), of Mexicali, Mexico, and Joe Hanks (21-0, 14 KOs), of Los Angeles.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services

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