Arum signs Shiming, Chinese two-time Olympic gold medalist

Top Rank CEO Bob Arum on Wednesday announced the signing of  Zou Shiming, a Chinese, two-time Olympic gold medalist and three-time world amateur champion.

"Zou is an incredible talent who is beloved in the People's Republic of China," said Arum at a press conference from the Four Seasons Hotel in Bejing.

"We at Top Rank will make every effort to make certain that he has a spectacular career as a professional boxer. We are extremely grateful to the Sands China Ltd. for its great cooperation in this venture to launch the professional career of this great young athlete."
 
A 31-year-old boxer who is among China's most popular Olympic athletes, Shiming is considered the world's greatest amateur light flyweight, having captured gold medals in the World Amateur Championships in 2005, 2007 and 2011, and gold medals in the 2008 and 2012 summer Olympic Games.

Shiming also earned an Olympic bronze medal in 2004, making him his nation's first Olympic medalist in boxing as well as its first boxing Gold medalist in the World Amateur Championships and the Olympics.

Known for extraordinary speed and superb footwork that was honed through years of martial arts training, Shiming has dazzled many an opponent.

Shiming, who lists his heroes as Muhammad Ali and Jackie Chan, is scheduled to make his professional debut on April 6 at the Venetian Macao Resort Hotel in Macau.

Photo / Scott Heavey-Getty Images