Defending champion Zou Shiming of China ousted fighting Birzham Zhakypov of Kazakhstan Sunday to sail into the top 16 at the AIBA World Boxing Championships Chicago 2007, but he won't face the rematch he expected in the next round.

 

Zou, 2005 World Champion and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist at 106-pound light flyweight, started slowly, ahead only 10-7 midway through the four-round bout, but finished with a flourish to outpoint Birzham Zhakypov, 30-13.

 

"It's good to face strong opponents early," Zou assessed, but added, "I did not use all my skills. I had to save some energy for later."

 

He anticipated that he would need that against Hungary's Pal Bedak, who got a silver medal after losing to Zou in their 2005 title bout. But Bedak was upset Sunday by Russian David Ayrapetyan, who thus advances to face Zou on Wednesday.

 

Along with Zou into the top 16 are eight Chinese fighters, second to 11 Russians in the tournament. Host United States ranked third in the numbers as their eight boxers clinched the top 16 berths.

 

"It's the first time that there are nine Chinese boxers in the top 16 since we began to send team to the championships," said Chui Fuguo, vice chairman of Chinese Boxing Association. "The key to the result is that our fighters have learned how to control themselves, match and opponents in the ring after the latest championships."

 

(Xinhua News Agency October 29, 2007)