Zou braced for great leap forward

Come Sunday, current world flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng might feel a little like the fabled Trojan sentry who told his pals: "Hey, that's a swell looking wooden horse! Sure, I'll sign for it ..."

Going into Saturday's 12-round title clash against Zou Shiming at the Venetian Resort in Macao, it appears the talented Thai and his handlers might have been manipulated into thinking it will be an easy night.

Ruenroeng has won 14 straight fights and knocked out five opponents since turning pro in 2012. He won the vacant IBF crown with a unanimous decision over Rocky Fuentes of the Philippines 15 months ago and has hammered out 12-round split-decisions in defenses over Japan's previously undefeated Kazuto Ioka last May and McWilliams Arroyo of Puerto Rico in September.