I came here to entertain, says Zou Shiming after scoring 8th round TKO in Shanghai comeback
China’s two-time gold medallist easily fends off Brazilian opponent in his most assured effort since turning pro in 2013
Zou Shiming has been fighting for about as long as Natan Santana Coutinho has been alive and he drew on every ounce of that experience as he claimed the WBO international flyweight crown at the Oriental Sports Centre last night.
The referee called a halt to their bout with 2:17 gone in the eighth round, but by then Zou had well and truly taken the kid to school.
He came here to entertain but the best way to entertain was to win and I did that
“I knew I had to win and I wanted to show my fans in China what boxing is all about,” said 34-year-old Zou, who had never previously fought as a pro on the mainland. “He came here to entertain but the best way to entertain was to win and I did that.”
Zou watched as his 21-year-old opponent showed off some dance moves in the first round and then continued the move himself – in for the kill – as he landed combinations at will on his way to a TKO victory.
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The real surprise was how long it took for proceedings to end. Just how much can be read into the win is anyone’s guess given that Brazilian Coutinho’s record of 12-0 coming in flattered to deceive.
