Zou Shiming heads back into ring for Champions of Gold in Macau
Double Olympic champion will take top billing in card that includes Cuban great Rigondeaux
Two-time Olympic gold medallist Zou Shiming will return to the ring for Champions of Gold next month in Macau in a card that will also include Guillermo Rigondeaux, one of the all-time great amateurs turned world champion.
Zou will fight in the city for the first time since winning in Ring of Gold in February, and the 2008 Beijing and 2012 London Games Olympic champion, said he was excited to be part of a bill that will see the Cuban great make his Macau debut on July 19.
In Cuba, I was impressed with the overall understanding and enthusiasm of boxing in the country. I wish China could be the same
"In my amateur days, I used to train in Cuba and I used to spar and train with Rigondeaux, so I know him well," said Zou, who was in Macau to promote the event at the CotaiArena.
"While I was in Cuba, I was impressed with the overall understanding and enthusiasm of boxing in the country. I wish China could be the same."
Rigondeaux, who defected to the United States in 2009 to become a pro fighter, was an Olympic gold medallist at the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games.
The bantamweight's defection caused national consternation from then Cuban leader Fidel Castro who lamented: "The Cuban athlete who deserts his delegation is like a soldier who deserts his unit in the midst of combat."
The 33-year-old, nicknamed the Jackal, has a professional record of 13 wins and no losses, and has scored several impressive wins.
