Zou Shiming: on a collision course with disaster?

But if handled differently, he could get in the necessary work to make the proper transition into the pro ranks.

The blueprint for success is there in the early career of Ray Leonard and in the comeback of George Foreman.

As a manager, I'd have had a fighter do 10 four rounders before his first six, 10 sixes before his first eight, etc.

Fighting at a pace of 2 bums a month, barring injury or a loss - he'd be 24-0 with 4 eights at the end of his rookie year. That kind of schedule would mean he would always be in shape and he'd not have time to be out raising hell.

Then back him off to one fight a month against quality journeymen, 6 more eights and 6 ten rounders. Now in his third year, he's ready for main event status fighting every other month, 4 more tens and then two 12 rounders.

42-0 and not only ready to challenge for a title early in his pro fourth year, but ready to win it. Three to four fights a year for another two to three years before retiring at 50 or 55-0.

 

When I said two bums a month, I didn't mean "bums" literally. I just meant that he would fight the usual suspects, the regular stepping stone foes that everybody fights on the way up the ladder. You match him against every imaginable style out there: runners, volume punchers, guys with granite chins, maulers, grabbers, lefties, etc.

Even Ray Leonard and Pernell Whitaker weren't matched against world class competition in their early fights.

 

I agree that Zou should not have been a two-time Olympic Champion, because IMO he should have turned pro after winning the bronze in 2004. Then again, you could be referring to his win over Oubaali (08) or Barnes (12).

Lomachenko looks like a solid fighter, but like Zou, he should have turned pro after his first Olympics. It will be interesting to see if the AIBA will be able to make the necessary in-roads in the pro ranks or if Vasyl will jump ship to a US promoter.

 

Vasyl was already a gold medalist and Val Barker cup winner. You can't go any higher than that. Had he turned pro after 08, he could already be a titleholder and a millionaire.

And the last time I checked listening to a promoter's offer is not the same as signing a contract.