Two-time Olympic champion Zou Shiming will turn to professional boxing and will not take part in the National Games of China on behalf of Guizhou, confirmed the Guizhou Sports Bureau on Jan 21, 2013.

Zou said on the phone that he had made an initial agreement with Top Rank, a top international boxing promotion company, in November 2012. Toprank was once the agent company of Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.

The news that Zou wanted to become a professional boxer began circulating after the 2008 Beijing Olympics. However, Zou wanted to show his gratitude to his hometown and country and postponed the move.

The Guizhou Sports Bureau will cultivate professional athletes according to Zou’s development pattern, said Cai Guoxiang, director of the Guizhou Sports Bureau. Zou is an icon of Chinese boxing and Guizhou hopes that he will bring more recognition to the country.