FIERCE FIGHT: China's Zou Shiming (center) competes against Mexico's Eleazar Valenzuela during their flyweight bout at the Fists of Gold boxing event in Macao on April 6 (IC)

China's two-time Olympic gold medal boxer Zou Shiming announced his arrival in the professional boxing ranks with an unanimous victory against Mexico's Eleazar Valenzuela on April 6.

Zou's high-profile flyweight professional debut was the centerpiece of the Fists of Gold boxing spectacular at the Venetian Cotai Arena in Macao. His victory over little-known Mexican fighter Valenzuela on points might signal the beginning of a journey to becoming a contender for a professional title.

A crowd of 15,000 filled the arena and millions more watched the action live across China.

"As big a night as it was for me, it was an even bigger night for boxing in China," Zou said after the event. "My goal is to shine as a bright light on the sport in my country as I can and to help advance its development here for amateurs and professionals alike."

Going pro

For Zou, the victory of the night represents a peachy beginning to his professional career, although his performance was not impeccable in the four-round contest.

Zou dominated the 395th-ranked Valenzuela with big shots for the whole fight, but wasn't able to knock down or knock out the tough 18-year-old Mexican fighter. Zou's defense was intermittently successful, part of his transition from the amateur game to a pro style.

Zou gave himself a score of 70 percent but was confident he would improve as a fighter.

"I'm lacking a bit in experience and stamina. I really wanted to put on a good show for the crowd. I hope I delivered," said Zou, who earned $300,000 for winning his first professional fight.

"It was a great fight for him. There's something very different between amateur and professional fights," said Freddie Roach, a Boxing Hall of Fame trainer who coached Zou for his professional debut.

No Chinese boxer has been as successful as Zou in the amateur ranks. In 2004, Zou became China's first Olympic boxing medalist in Athens, Greece, winning bronze. In 2008, fighting in front of the home crowd in Beijing, Zou won the country's first gold medal in the sport. He won gold again in London, four years later, cementing his legendary status in China.

In January of this year, Zou, 31, turned professional after signing with Bob Arum's Las Vegas-based Top Rank promotions, where he was teamed with Roach, trainer of 31 world champions including flyweight title holder Brian Viloria and Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao.

"From day one, Zou impressed me when he sparred with Brian. Brian had the upper hand on the first day, but Zou gradually matched Brian. I know Brian very well because I used to train him," said the 53-year-old Roach.

Meanwhile, Roach suggested that Zou change his style and iron out some kinks in his game if he is going to be more effective as a professional fighter.

"We are working on changing his style a bit," Roach said. "He won the debut fight on points, and that doesn't really cut it in the professional game. People want to see knockouts. That's why Pacquiao was so successful, because he knocked all his guys out."

Nonetheless, Roach was adamant that Zou could also develop into a knockout artist.

"He has power in both hands. He hits very hard. He can be a knockout artist, because he shows that in the gym. After a few fights, he will settle down," Roach said.