Chinese boxing sensation Zou Shiming's reign as the WBO flyweight champion has ended.
Shiming was upset by mandatory challenger Sho Kimura in Shiming's home country when he was knocked out in the 11th round of their fight. Kimura had been struggling at times throughout the fight, with Kimura getting a bad cut midway through the fight, prompting a temporary stoppage in the fight while Kimura was being tended by ringside doctors.
Shiming won the title last year on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title win over Jessie Vargas. Shiming defeated Prasitsak Papoem in a very one-sided affair to win the title.
Kimura becomes Japan's 11th active boxer to currently hold a world title. Kimura's win now establishes boxing's flyweight division as Japan's top boxing division, with Daigo Higa (WBC) and Kazuto Ioka (WBA) also holding world titles.
The fight pitted two boxers who have somewhat limited experience as professional boxers. This was Shiming's 11th pro bout while Kimura fought in his 18th pro boxing match. Kimura had been working as a part-time restaurant worker, but now Kimura is a world champion. After being knocked out in his debut match, Kimura would then go unbeaten in his following 17 fights. Shiming suffered his second loss, first loss via knockout.
