Boxer is fiery as a fighter, and debonair as a delegate

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"I'm able to freely combine the flexibility of martial arts with the force required for boxing," he says.

"It has finally helped us, as Asians, find our place in the boxing world."

His popularity surged after he won China's first Olympic boxing gold in Beijing in 2008. He took his second gold at the London Games this year.

But he was a delegate even before he was an Olympic champion.

"I see myself as an ordinary delegate from the sports circle and will use my position to call for more attention to sports," he says.

Zou has entered the Great Hall of the People many times for celebrations or rally meetings before matches but says he feels proudest to walk in as a delegate.

"I prepare well before going in," he says.

"I usually read the documents and Party policies beforehand."

He shares his thoughts on the congress plenary on his micro blog.

But boxing, rather than government, will remain his focus for a while longer, Zou says.

"I want to fight for a few more years," he says.

"It's my dream to win professional titles. I'm a man of dreams."

He's negotiating with US professional boxing organizations and expects to make great progress next year.

His long-term goal is to earn a seat in the World Boxing Union or the Olympic Organizing Committee, to give Chinese boxers a voice in the international arena.

Zou also hopes to expand China's boxing market to give more of his peers a place to realize their dreams.

"I used to think more about my personal achievements," he says.

"But now I believe I can only call my experience true success if China's boxing succeeds internationally."

liuxiangrui@chinadaily.com.cn