Massive upset as Japan’s Sho Kimura stuns China’s Zou Shiming to claim WBO world title in Shanghai
Japanese ‘no hoper’ delivers a determined performance as he wears down China’s two-time Olympic gold medallist before scoring an 11th round knockout
Japanese “no hoper” Sho Kimura, bleeding heavily from a cut right eye for almost nine rounds, roared back determinedly to score a sensational 11th round knockout of China superstar Zou Shiming in a massive upset to lift the World Boxing Organisation world flyweight title in Shanghai on Friday night.
Kimura, given no chance by bookmakers at 10-1 and only ranked seventh by the World Boxing Organisation (WBO), stopped the two-time Olympic champion with a flurry of punches late in the 11th round of the 12-round contest.
Zou collapsed flat on his back under the onslaught and waved no more to a stunned capacity crowd at the Shanghai Oriental Sports Centre.
The 28-year-old Kimura suffered a cut eye as early as the third round – from an accidental head butt – and needed medical attention in the sixth but he fought on doggedly, delivering his payload late in the 11th round.
The Japanese had Zou backed up against the ropes before he went for the kill, landing a good right hook before a furious left-right combination staggered Zou.
The Chinese star then crumbled with exhaustion. Zou failed to get up and Filipino referee Danrex Tapdasan didn’t bother even to count as the audience stood in stunned silence.
