Two-time Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming needs to get offensive in U.S. debut

Ukraine’s Vasyl Lomachenko was able to use his status as a two-time Olympic champion to advance his rapid-punching defensive wizardry to the next level as a professional.

But for Zou Shiming of China, also a double gold medalist, turning pro has been more of a belly-flop.

Before Lomachenko attempts Saturday to become the first boxer to win a second division title in his first seven fights when he faces World Boxing Organization super-featherweight champion Roman “Rocky” Martinez, Zou (7-1, two knockouts) stages what could be a final chance at building a fan base outside of China.

Zou, 35, who fights Hungary’s Jozsef Ajtai before Lomachenko-Martinez at Madison Square Garden’s Theater, lost a unanimous decision in March 2015 in his first bid to win a world flyweight title. He needs a victory to be back in position for another shot.

“That’s what we’re looking for,” trainer Freddie Roach said Friday.

Roach wants Zou to be a more aggressive fighter and drop the lackluster technical style that won Olympic gold but won’t sell tickets in the U.S.

In a conversation last month at his Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood, Roach said it might be best for Zou to remain in China at resorts like the Venetian Macao, where he has the marketing push of a national hero.

But promoter Bob Arum is hopeful that with Roach’s ability to coax more offense from Zou, international interest will follow.

“It’s important that he looks good [Saturday] and he shoots on his punches more,” Roach said. “We’ve been working on getting him away from the amateur style.

“Now, we’re fighting an aggressive guy who will come forward at us. So this should be a good fight to show if the things [Zou] is doing in the gym can translate to a real fight.”