Chinese boxing star Zou Shiming to return to the ring in January
China's golden boy will fight for the first time since his world title defeat in March
Chinese star Zou Shiming will return to the ring in January next month in Shanghai after recovering from a serious shoulder injury, according to media reports.
Zou injured his shoulder during his unanimous points loss to Amnat Ruenroeng for the Thai’s IBF (International Boxing Federation) flyweight title in Macau in March, but the extent of the injury was not known until Tuesday.
Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Zou suffered a torn rotator cuff – the same injury that Manny Pacquiao suffered in his points loss to Floyd Mayweather Jnr in May.
Zou (6-1-0) had surgery to repair his shoulder and resumed training in September after completing one season of a reality hit television show in China.
According to ESPN, Zou will fight an unnamed opponent in Shanghai on January 30, bypassing Macau, where the two-time Olympic champion has fought in all seven of his professional fights at the Cotai Arena.
“The Macau shows will be back next year,” Arum said. “We’re negotiating with a couple of properties but they’re having a really tough time in Macau with the fall off of gaming revenue.”
Arum said Zou would test his shoulder in January, hoping to shake off the rust before looking for another world title shot.