Zou hits new high in his US debut

Zou Shiming (left) of China celebrates his unanimous decision over Jozsef Ajtai in their flyweight bout on June 11, 2016 at the Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. [Photo/VCG]

"I thought after warming up in the first round that he would attack. But until the 10th round, it seemed like his aim was not victory but finishing the fight, that's all," Zou said.

However, he added, "This was my first fight in the US, and it gave me a chance to fight for the golden belt in a bout at the end of this year, which is absolutely the most important for me."

According to Zou's Hall of Fame trainer, Freddie Roach, he will likely next challenge WBA and WBO flyweight champion Juan Francisco Estrada of Mexico.

The Chinese fighter, who is signed to the Top Rank promotion agency, which has also worked with champions including Ali and Manny Pacquiao, said he hopes to inspire young Chinese to fight their way to a world title.

Li Sheng, Zou's agent and CEO of Shanghai-based Sports Entertainment Content Activation, added that Saturday's victory "amplified the ultimate ambition of Chinese boxing, which is to fight and win at the highest stage in pro boxing like Pacquiao did for the Asians".

"It was the first step for him (Zou), but a beginning for all the young Chinese fighters to come," he said.

Niu Yue contributed to this story.

Contact the writers at williamhennelly@chinadailyusa.com and sunxiaochen@chinadaily.com.cn