Zou to turn pro

Zou claimed gold in the light-flyweight category at August's Beijing Games as China topped the medal count in the sport with two golds, a silver and a bronze.

"I want a professional golden belt for my country. I think I am capable," the 27-year-old Zou told the Beijing News.

"The professional contests are easier and more attractive to watch."

Zou earned the country's first Olympic boxing medal with a bronze at the 2004 Athens Games and China has gone from strength to strength on the amateur stage. Zhang Xiaoping won the light-heavyweight title in Beijing.

However, while Zhang Xiyan won the women's World Boxing Council crown in 2006, the men have struggled on the professional circuit.

"There are now more than just one or two of us," said Zou, whose Olympic feat saw him recently rewarded with a free apartment in Shanghai.

"We have made improvements across the board with better coaching."