China's medal hopeful and world champion of light flyweight (48kg) boxer Zou Shiming advances into the final. [Xinhua]

China's medal hope and world boxing champion of light flyweight (48kg) Zou Shiming advanced into the final at the Beijing Olympic Games by beating Paddy Barnes from Ireland 15-0 on Friday.

Zou initiated attacks in the first round and won two points, and then made it at 8-0 in the second round, successfully dodging all the punches by Barnes. Zou performed a perfect defense in the third and fourth rounds, leaving no chance for his rival.

"I am persistent today as I always did," said Zou. "I was close to the Olympic gold four years ago, and this time I will try my best to get it."

Zou attributed the overwhelming victory to his strategy on the ring, which Zhang Chuanliang, head coach of the Chinese boxing team, said was defense-attack tactics.

Barnes said after the competition against Zou "he beat me with speed. I thought I was doing well but he's just a great fighter, too fast."

"He (Barners) tried to get him, tried to hit, tried to block, but he couldn't do anything," said Barners' coach Billy Walsh.

Barnes was in the fifth position in the World Championships last year.

(Xinhua News Agency August 22, 2008)