Three time Olympic medalist–two gold, one bronze–Zou Shimming is looking to translate his amateur success into a professional career that produces equally impressive results.
Hearing that Shimming sparred with former eight division champ Manny Pacquiao is not a surprise, as going up against the best will only better a fighter going forward; be it in a sanctioned bout or a sparring session.
Hall of fame trainer Freddie Roach trains both Pacquiao and Shimming and said when the two squared off in the ring in a sparring session that lasted four rounds that Shimming farired well despite Pacquiao being the heavier fighter and even took a power body shot without dropping.
Roach mentioned that Shimming (2-0, KOs) isn’t adapting to the pro fight style as quickly as he would have thought, but he still has started his pro career with two wins. Shimming’s first win came via fourth round unanimous decision and his second bout resulted in a six-round unanimous decision in July.
The Chinese fighter will face the undefeated Juan Tozcano (4-0, 0 KOs) a fighter that not much is known about, so there could be a surprise element in the bout. Shimming has the home ring advantage as he has fought his first two pro fights at the Venetian Macau and Tozcano will be making the journey from Baja, Calif. so nervousness could play a factor in the bout.
All though the boxing lesson from Pacquiao was brief, the fact that he was in the ring with a future hall of fame fighter leading up to his bout could be a difference maker in the end.
