After failing to achieve his dream title over a year ago, Chinese boxing icon Zou Shiming finally captured his first professional boxing title after winning the vacant World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight world crown in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday night.

According to Sky Sports, the two-time Olympic gold medalist scored a 12-round world title unanimous decision win against Thai boxer Prasitsak Phaprom (formerly known as  Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym) with all of the three judges scoring 120-107, 120-107, 119-108 for Zou.

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"My dream is realized and all the hard work paid off. I didn't really feel pressure. I felt calm and relaxed throughout the bout. I am an Olympic gold medalist and now I'm a world champion," Zou, 35, said after the undercard match of the Pacquiao-Vargas title bout.

Zou, who failed on his first world title shot against Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand in March 2015, improved his professional record to nine wins and two losses with two of his victories coming via technical knockout. It was also the second win of the Chinese boxer against Phaprom, whom he had beaten in Macau two years ago.

According to China.org, Zou, who turned professional boxer in January 2012, dominated the rematch as the well-known Chinese fighter connected 347 punches compared to the 107 blows of the Thai boxer to win convincingly.

Zou has won three successive Olympic medals;; taking the bronze in 2004 Athens, Greece, gold in 2008 Beijing, China, and 2012 London, United Kingdom Olympic Games. Zou also won three gold medals in the World Amateur Boxing Championships in the year 2005, 2007, and 2011. 

TagsZou Shiming, Manny pacquiao vs Jessie vargas, world boxing organization, Top Rank, Prasitsak Phaprom