Zou Shiming of China walks to the ring before his International Boxing Federation (IBF) world flyweight title fight against Thai Amnat Ruenroeng at the Venetian Macao hotel in Macau, March 7, 2015. (Photo : REUTERS)
China will begin to host professional boxing bouts in March, in coordination with the International Boxing Federation (IBF).
IBF China will be the exclusive and legally authorized organization to administer boxing in China on behalf of the IBF.
According to IBF China president Jiang Qiang, more than 300 million dollars prize money was prepared for the boxers.
IBF China founded Chinese Professional Boxing Alliances with more than 30 clubs in the country to help train referees, judges as well as boxers. The IBF also announced that they will recognize the China Rating system.
"We don't have a (professional boxing) world champion in China. We are going to knock on that door," said IBF President Daryl J. Peoples on Tuesday's press conference.
Although double Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming lost in a bid to win an IBF flyweight world title against champion Amnat Ruenroeng on March 7, Peoples believed that Zou had proved that Chinese boxers can compete in the professional ranks.
Top Rank promotions utilized Zou as the "poster boy" for the rise of professional boxing in China.
But many felt that Zou was fast-tracked by Top Rank chief Bob Arum to a world title shot in just his seventh professional fight.
The inexperience of Zou was evident as he was outboxed by the IBF champion.
"Zou knows, like all of us, that all great fighters suffer a loss," said Arum.
Meanwhile, Arum said that Hong Kong's Rex Tso will challenge for the WBA superflyweight title against champion Kohei Kono on July 18 at Cotai Arena in Macau.
Arum announced that they are also looking for an opponent for Zou's comeback fight on the same card.
