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The Chinese won the first two matches in front of a pro-China crowd, before the U.S. rattled off victories in five of the next six -- two by tiebreaker and another by a single point.
China swept the final three bouts when its biggest stars -- Zhang, Fanlong Meng and Beijing gold medalist Zou Shiming -- overwhelmed their American opponents. The Chinese ended up winning six of the 11 matches to the delight of Chinese Boxing Association officials seated ringside.
"China's team has gotten substantially better," says USA Boxing's Julie Goldsticker. "Their style is so unique and different, so it's important to see that style."
Duva understands that some people might question his decision to work with the Chinese team while the U.S. amateur program is rebuilding. But he also points out that this is a business, and business hasn't been very good for boxing in America lately.
"You know what flak I get? A lot of my promoter friends wish they were in this position, they pat me on the back, they think you're going in the right direction," Duva says. "Look, I'm sure there's some cynics, there's always going to be cynics. This is about sports and business for me, I don't get into the politics, nothing like that. That's not me."
Duva hopes that there's a payoff, to be sure. The plan is to not only develop the Chinese amateur team, but to eventually shepherd many of the athletes to the professional ranks.
Zou fights at 108 pounds but has the speed and bravado to become a star, while Zhang is a 6-foot-6, 240-pound southpaw who could make a major splash in a heavyweight division that has grown stale while being dominated by Wladimir and Vitali Klitschko the past few years.
"Our focus right now is the London Olympics, and we definitely have plans for some of them to turn into the pros after that," Duva says. "But during this next two-year timeframe, we're going to have coaching clinics, we're also going to be marketing them -- we have a long-term marketing plan -- promoting dual matches, generating sponsorship for the team, the individuals.
"It's a whole comprehensive plan," Duva says, "but the first and foremost goal is to teach them to be the best boxers they can be."
[Associated Press;
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