Amnat Ruenroeng (R) of Thailand punches double Olympic flyweight champion Zou Shiming of China during their IBF world flyweight title fight in Macau, March 7, 2015 (Photo : REUTERS)
Zou Shiming is eager for another world title shot after losing in his first attempt against IBF flyweight champion Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand via unanimous decision on Saturday.
China's Olympic boxing hero said that the loss is the beginning of a new journey and that he will start all over again.
Zou, whose professional record fell to 6-1 (1 KO), added that he gained more experience in his first world title fight and did not think he was outclassed. His trainer Freddie Roach said that Zou needed to get back to the gym to become a more complete fighter.
Amnat kept Zou at bay by utilizing his five-inch reach advantage to launch effective jabs.
Near the end of the fight, Zou was advised by his Roach to land more combinations and pick up the pace. However, Zou ended frustrated from having to chase Amnat.
All three judges scored the bout 116-111 for Amnat (15-0, 5 KO), who overcame being knocked down in the second round to defend his flyweight title for the third time.
Roach said that based on the videos he viewed, he did not expect Amnat to run around a lot, be very defensive and to be a good counterpuncher with fast hands.
Roach added that Zou took a punch in the eye when his opponent was 20 feet away, making him realize that they were faced with a difficult task of coping with a very fast opponent.
"I didn't see this kind of fighter on the tapes coming, so we didn't get ready for a lot of those things he was doing," said Roach.
The bout was broadcast live throughout the mainland via several state-owned and regional sports channels.
