Chinese boxing rides on Zou Shiming’s shoulders
MACAU – The question of whether Zou Shiming can become a star in boxing can be answered by defining what a star is. If by star, you mean having your face adorn a huge banner in front of the world’s largest casino, selling out the venue in your second pro fight and producing a gate of $3 million, as Shiming has done for Saturday’s fight at the Venetian Resort’s Cotai Arena in Macau, China, then yes, the word “star” is not a stretch to use.
But for many, the perception is that you must make it in America to have finally made it. And that will likely take some time to change.
Shiming, the two-time Olympic medalist and one time bronze medalist who made his debut in April with a four-round decision win over Eleazer Valenzuela at the Venetian, will have his second fight televised on a delayed basis by HBO2 in America (5:30 p.m. ET/PT). CCTV5 in China will beam the show live to the country with the world’s largest population.
In his first six-round test, Shiming faces Jesus Ortega of Mexico in a six-round contest, who has a record of 3-1 (2 KOs). Ortega’s best credentials for this fight are that he has a boxing license and isn’t on any “No-Fly” lists. His work with trainer Freddie Roach has largely centered around altering his amateurish style into one more conducive to professional success.
Bob Arum, whose company Top Rank has promoted the last two events in Macau, is optimistic that Shiming’s popularity can eventually extend beyond China and crossover into the States. “Remember, we have more Chinese Americans in the United States than we have Filipino Americans,” said Arum at Friday’s weigh-in. “Look how big of a star Manny became in the U.S. We have to give them a good product, and we gave them a good show the last event, so we have satisfied customers. This is the emerging major market for the sport of boxing.”
Wherever there is an ambitious casino looking to make its name on the world stage, professional boxing is sure to follow. Yet up until last decade, professional boxing didn’t exist in Macau or China. Shiming’s first gold medal-winning effort, in front of an adoring hometown crowd at the Beijing Games in 2008, was seen as a catalyst for altering local perceptions on the sport.
The World Boxing Organization (WBO) was the first to set up boxing events in China, holding seminars conducted by boxing officials Joe Cortez and Melvina Lathan. WBO president Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel helped instate Zhang Tao – the WBO’s vice president of their Chinese operations – as head of the Chinese Professional Boxing Organization (CPBO), the country’s national commission. Valcarcel feels that Chinese boxing will grow, as long as foreign promoters tailor their shows to the different clientele.
“You must understand the culture of the Chinese people, and you must give the Chinese people what they want,” said Valcarcel. “They are different. They like the show. We love boxing in America, they love shows. Boxing plus something else. The promoter has had success giving a boxing show to Chinese people.”
China’s boxing talent pool drops off precipitously after Shiming. In addition to Shiming, China also boasts the WBC minimumweight titleholder Xiong Zhaozhong – the first ever Chinese titleholder – of Kunming, plus Hong Kong-based super flyweight prospect Rex Tso (9-0, 6 KOs), who faces Thai Rusalee Samor (20-4-2, 9 KOs) in a six-round bout on the Shiming undercard.
Many of the boxing talent on the undercard consists of Filipinos, including unbeaten flyweight contender Milan Melindo (29-0, 12 KOs), who faces WBO/WBA flyweight titleholder Juan Estrada (24-2, 18KOs) in the co-feature, plus Genesis Servania (21-0, 8KOs) and Dave Penalosa (6-0, 4KOs). IBF featherweight titleholder Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs) of Russia, who makes his first defense against Argentina’s Mauricio Munoz in the third televised bout, is a fight that caters more to the fans in the States than at the Cotai Arena.
At age 32, Shiming has a small window remaining to capitalize on his boxing talent, but his impact is already being felt in the sport. He is the spark with which Las Vegas-based promotional outfit Top Rank is using to create a boxing culture in the gambling capital of the world, just as they did in Las Vegas alongside Don King in the 70s and 80s. According to The Australian, Macau currently generates five times more gambling revenue annually than Las Vegas.
There are many differences between Vegas and Macau. Fight week in Vegas often means throngs of fans coming from around the country to paint the town red, while patrons in Macau are far less likely to be given to drunken revelry. That said, it isn’t uncommon to see patrons enjoying Cuban cigars in a smoking friendly restaurant while being served expensive Yunnan red wine, aged ten years, out of a hand-crafted vase at any hour one desires.
A walk around the casino wearing a credential emblazoned with Shiming’s face will give any outsider a quick demonstration of Shiming’s popularity. “He is one of my heroes,” said a cashier at FatBurger, whose name tag read “Bill”. “I don’t know how to say it in English – he’s very strong and fast.” The manager had less of a grasp on the English language, but displayed his enthusiasm by miming a flurry of punches on his cashier.
The readiness of Macau to host big events of an international interest will be tested on November 23, when former eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao faces Brandon Rios in his HBO pay-per-view televised comeback fight. Arum is optimistic that the fight will create a “feeding frenzy” among those looking for tickets and closed circuit seats, and is predicting a gate of $10 million.
The culture of China is changing as the country emerges as the second world power and continues to close the gap between itself and the United States for the top spot among world economies. Whether the growth that is being seen in Chinese boxing can be sustained will depend on how well Top Rank and other promoters nurture the interests of the fans.
Ryan Songalia is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and contributes to The Ring magazine and GMA News. He can be reached at ryan@ryansongalia.com. An archive of his work can be found at www.ryansongalia.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.
Originally published July 26, 2013 on The Ring Magazine website