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

American trainer Roach, who has worked with some of the sport's greats including multiple world champions Bernard Hopkins and Manny Pacquiao, believes the 31-year-old Zou has room for improvement.

"For him to come into this venue like this, with Brian Viloria being his number one sparring partner and flyweight champion of the world and probably someone who he may be after some day, it's great for him and he has learned a lot," Roach told Reuters TV.

"He has a lot of potential but he still makes a lot of amateur mistakes. He has a lot of bad habits, but we are getting rid of them slowly. He's becoming a very good fighter," the American added.

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world amateur boxing champion Zou Shiming of China (L) has his hands wrapped by trainer Freddie Roach at Wild Card Boxing Club as he trains for his upcoming professional boxing debut, in Los Angeles, March 20, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

Zou agreed he had a lot of adapting to do, but was looking forward to headlining the card which also features Viloria defending his titles against Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada.

"I'm pretty good and I think I am ready for the first fight," Zou said. "From the start I'm learning what to do inside the professional boxing ring. But, now I am getting comfortable with the rules here and I feel ready."

Demonstrating ferocious accuracy and a mean left hook as he pounded the gloves of Roach during the session, Zou said he was also concerned about improving his fitness.

"As an amateur we do all of our boxing in three rounds. As a professional, you have 12 rounds to show what you can do. This is a big challenge for my physical condition. I am working on this," the Chinese said.

"The same thing for amateur boxing and professional boxing is skills and I think that I have it."

Two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world amateur boxing champion Zou Shiming (L) of China works out at Wild Card Boxing Club for his upcoming professional boxing debut as he poses for a photo with flyweight champion Brian Viloria (R) of the US, in Los Angeles, March 20, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]