BEIJING, Nov. 4 -- China's first Olympic boxing gold medalist Zou Shiming has shelved plans to defend his title in London in 2012 and will instead turn professional next year, local media reported Monday. 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 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."

Meanwhile, the Klitschko brothers, who hold four of the world's five heavyweight titles, have challenged giant Russian Nikolai Valuev to a showdown for his WBA title.

Vitali, who last month came out of retirement to defeat Samuel Peter for the WBC crown and together with younger brother Wladimir, become the first siblings to simultaneously hold world heavyweight belts, issued the challenge yesterday.

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