Roach irons out Zou's amateur mistakes ahead of pro debut

Double Olympic boxing gold medallist Zou Shiming admits he has a lot to learn ahead of his professional debut next month but the Chinese flyweight enjoyed the best possible education from hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach on Wednesday.
Having bossed the amateur circuit, where he also claimed three world championships, Zou will enter the paid ranks on April 6 when he faces Mexican Eleazar Valenzuela in a four-round bout in Macau.
Zou has prepared for the contest in the United States and on Wednesday was put through his paces at Roach's famed Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, California and sparred with WBA and WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria.
Zou's amateur success was built on lightning quick hand speed, body swerving elusiveness and his ability to throw punches from all angles but that style could come unstuck against heavy-punching professionals.
Most Popular
- He Yanwei/Lu Wei win China's first gold from women's synchronized 10m platform of diving at 2025 World University Games
- Sinner win helps fuel burgeoning rivalry
- Cali boy Lopez heads home to LA, saying title-hungry Clippers are a 'perfect fit'
- Monster's on the hunt for title shot
- World's oldest marathon runner killed by car
- McIlroy to get big welcome, as Schauffele eyes Open repeat