How China boxing star Zou Shiming has infuriated his business partners by going it alone
China’s boxing hero decides to promote his next fight in Shanghai on July 28 on his own
China’s world champion Zou Shiming has become his own man, taking the drastic step of promoting his latest fight on his own in a move that has infuriated his long-time business partners.
Zou (9-1, 2 KOs) will return to the ring later this month to make his first world title defence since lifting the WBO flyweight belt in Las Vegas last November, but he won’t be joined by leading boxing promoter, Top Rank, or his long-time sports management partner, Seca.
The Post has learned that he has not renewed his contract with Top Rank. Business associates who helped promote Zou’s image while supporting him inside and outside the ring since he turned professional in January 2013 will be absent for the two-time Olympic champion’s 11th bout on July 28.
Hall of Fame coach, Freddie Roach, a Top Rank trainer, who helped Zou make the transition from top amateur to world professional champion, will not by his side when he takes on Japan’s seventh-ranked Sho Kimura (14-1-2, 7 KOs) at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Centre.
The same goes for Zou’s previous strength and conditioning coach, Justin Fortune, who will take no part in the mainlander’s final preparations. Roach and Fortune are both in Brisbane for Manny Pacquiao’s latest fight against Australian Jeff Horn on Sunday at the Suncorp Stadium.
