By Unus Alladin
As previously reported on BoxingScene.ocm, Chinese boxing icon Zou Shiming (6-1-0) will return to the ring at the end of the month in Shanghai as he attempts to earn another world title shot in the future.
The two-time Olympic gold medallist will compete at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Arena on January 30 and will take on unbeaten 21-year-old Brazilian Natan Santana Coutinho (12-0, 10 KOs) in his first fight since losing to Amnat Ruenroeng for the Thai’s IBF flyweight title in Macau last March.
“I will be ready for my next opponent. I have worked hard to get back into shape and I can’t wait to return to the ring,” said Zou, who will be fight on the mainland for the first time as a pro. All seven of his professional bouts were held at the Venetian Cotai Arena in Macau.
Zou , 34, who resumed training in September after finishing shooting for a reality TV show on the mainland, will fight for the WBO international flyweight title in Shanghai.
After a long amateur career, Shiming went pro in 2013 with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach at his side. He captured the WBO International title in July 2014 with a ten round unanimous decision over Luis De La Rosa.
Roach and his promoter, Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, felt the fighter was ready for Ruenroeng, but he was unable to overcome the fighter's tough boxing style. The champion is still undefeated (17-0), as he added two more victories to his record following the win over Shiming.
