On Saturday July 27th in Macau, China at the Venetian Casino & Resort, Zou Shiming (1-0) makes his return to the ring for his second professional fight against Jesus Ortega (3-1 2KOS). In Shiming’s last fight he won by unanimous decision in front of millions for his pro debut. Famed trainer Freddy Roach has taken over the reins of Shiming’s training and has been his trainer since he turned pro. Shiming is an Olympian and an amateur stand out so I expect (being this is his second fight as a pro) he is being showcased by Top Rank and he will easily win the fight against Jesus Ortega.
On the undercard current IBF Featherweight Champion Evgeny “The Mexican Russian” Gradovich (16-0 8KOS) will take on Mauricio Munoz (26-3 12KOS). This will be “The Mexican Russian’s” first title defence of the IBF title which he won in his last time out against Australian Billy Dib by split decision. Munoz is a battle tested fighter who will push Gradovich to the limits. Munoz was named number one contender after beating Luis Franco in a title eliminator back in October of last year. Gradovich has been making a lot of noise in the Featherweight division and hopes to continue his journey to the top.
Opening the card is a fight between Mexico’s Juan Fransico Estrada (24-2- 18KOs) vs Milian Melindo of the Philippines. Estrada won the title back in April when he upset the former Champion Brian Vilioria in a tough bout. Now the current WBO and WBA Flyweight titlist Estrada, continues down the path of most resistance and takes on Melindo. With a record of 24 wins and no losses Melindo will be a live dog and is coming to spoil Estrada’s first title defense. Although Estrada has lost in the past, he looks to hold on to his title and reign atop the Flyweight Division.
The name give to this fight card is “Fists of Gold 2” and the last card in Macao was nothing short of that. I expect the same result here, we’ll see fan friendly fire fights and hard tough battles of attrition.
