Zou Shiming fights for a title in 7th pro bout vs Amnat

Yet Zou (6-0, 1 KO) realizes he is in for easily the most difficult test of his short pro career, which has been meticulously curated by promoter Top Rank to keep its prize Chinese fighter on a smooth path to title contention.

Zou likely won't be able to beat the tough Amnat (14-0, 5 KOs) if he reverts to his point-friendly amateur style with little power behind his quick punches. He must be physical, durable, and tenacious to win a belt, and Zou insists he is ready to show everything he has learned in two years under Roach.

The process has been a bit slower than Top Rank might have hoped, and Zou has just one stoppage victory as a pro. Yet he appeared to make significant progress in his last fight, knocking down previously unbeaten Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym three times on the way to a blowout decision victory.

"I feel very confident with the professional fighting style now," Zou said. "In my last fight, which went 12 rounds, I really felt like a professional fighter. That was a turning point for me."

Zou beat Amnat twice in three meetings during their lengthy amateur careers. Amnat, who has impressive reach for a smaller fighter, also didn't turn pro until relatively late, coming back from stints in prison to win the vacant 112-pound (51-kilogram) title in January 2014.

If Zou is as prepared as he believes, the first Chinese boxer to win Olympic gold could become the second Chinese fighter to hold a world title. Xiong Zhao Zhong won a 105-pound (48-kilogram) title three years ago, but lost it in February 2014.

"I want to make my country proud and advance the sport of boxing throughout China," Zou said. "I am ready for my date with destiny."