Amnat Ruenroeng-Zou Shiming: BScene Staff Predictions

By Jake Donovan

Amnat Ruenroeng hopes to pick up where he left off following a fantastic 2014 ring campaign, while Zou Shiming looks to become just the second fighter ever from China to claim a major title.

The flyweight title fight takes place Saturday evening at Cotai Arena in Macau, China.

Ruenroeng (14-0, 5KOs) makes the third defense of his crown, while Shiming looks to come up big at home in his first shot at a major title after less than two full years in the pro ranks.

The bout marks a rare occasion where two fighters with a combined 20 pro fights between them enter in a major title fight. Ruenroeng claimed the belt in just his 12th pro fight, scoring a decision win over Rocky Fuentes a little more than a year ago.

His first title defense is what forced the boxing world to stand up and recognize that the unbeaten Thai boxer was for real. A road trip to hostile territory in Japan saw Ruenroeng become the first - and only, to date - to hang a loss on the equally precocious Kazuto Ioka, settling for a split decision in an otherwise big win last May in Japan.

Ruenroeng closed out his stellar year with a narrow win over McWilliams Arroyo, climbing off the canvas to turn back his mandatory challenger in a nip-and-tuck affair last September.

Shiming (6-0, 1KO) has made history for mighty China from the moment he took an interest in boxing. The nation's most accomplished amateur boxer ever, Shiming is its only fighter to claim medals in three separate Olympic competitions (2004, 2008, 2012), the first from China to capture Olympic Gold - first accomplishing the feat at home during the 2008 Beijing Olympics - and its only fighter to earn two Gold medals, repeating the feat during the 2012 London Olympics.

His pro debut coincided with Top Rank's inaugural show at The Venetian Macao, with Saturday's bout marking his seventh appearance in as may pro fights at the resort location often described as "Las Vegas on steroids."

Saturday's title fight is actually separate from the one for which he became mandatory challenger. A 12-round points win over Kwanpichit OnesongchaiGym - best remembered as a "mini-Manny Pacquiao" - last November (on the undercard of Pacquiao's 12-round shutout over Chris Algieri) was to land him a mandatory shot at unified titlist Juan Estrada.

Handlers for both fighters wisely opted to move in separate directions, allowing Shiming to pursue a shot at Ruenroeng who - despite his banner year in 2014 - is still regarded as the least experienced of the division's reigning champs (Roman Gonzalez is the World lineal flyweight champion).

Of course, none of that means Shiming will bring a flyweight belt home, but that his handlers are - in their minds - giving their fighter his best possible shot at a major belt.

Can Ruenroeng build on his breakout campaign, and once again prevail on the road? Or will Shiming usher in a new era in the flyweight division?

Read on to find out how the staff at BoxingScene.com believes tonight’s flyweight title fight plays out.

BOXINGSCENE.COM STAFF PREDICTIONS: AMNAT RUENROENG vs. ZOU SHIMING

Jake Donovan (Shiming SD): This is probably Shiming’s only shot at claiming a flyweight title given his age and whom else owns divisional hardware. Ruenroeng proved he was world class in 2014, but also exposed several vulnerabilities, especially in his close win over McWilliams Arroyo. Shiming isn’t strong enough to knock him out, but savvy enough - and also improving with each fight - to where he should be able to edge a close but deserved decision win.

John MacDonald (Shiming UD): Shiming will be easier but lack accuracy. Ruenroeng will look to jab, hold and hustle his way to victory. Shiming to win by - perhaps controversial - decision.

Takahiro Onaga (Shiming UD): Shiming out works Amnat early, Amnat fights back late, close call but China star grows bigger

Cliff Rold (Shiming UD): This could be really ugly, especially over the second half of the fight. I think Shiming wins without the stink of a hometown verdict. He's quicker than Ruenroeng, doesn't face a significant power threat, and that should mean an early lead. If he can play even when things get muggy, he can eke out a close decision.

Reynaldo Sanchez (Shiming UD): Well, Shiming is the new Bob Arum toy for his China events, and now has a title fight.

Alexey Sukachev (Ruenrong SD12): If anything, Ruenrong looked like a star in 2014. Shiming - no much so. Actually, the stellar Chinese didn't impress anyone with any of his wins. It doesn't tell here that he cannot win. He can. But Ruenrong, using all of his ring experience and also his revenge appeal will do enough to snatch the decision even in China.

Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of BoxingScene.com. Twitter: @JakeNDaBox