China's boxer Zou abuzz online

China's Zou Shiming celebrates after defeating Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym of Thailand during their WBO flyweight boxing match at the Venetian Macao in Macao, Nov 23, 2014. [Photo/IC]

Olympic-winning boxer Zou Shiming's hard-fought victory over Thailand's No. 1-ranked Kwanpichit Onesongchaigym has made his name the top-searched sports phrase on Sina Weibo on Sunday, attracting more than 28,000 searches on the micro-blogging site.

Photos of Zou with blood blotches on his eye were circulating on the social networking site, winning praise from fans online for the courage and resilience he showed in the International Boxing Federation flyweight title elimination in Macao.

Zou expressed his appreciation to his fans on his official Weibo account.

The match, which Zou referred to as the toughest one in his career, delighted many in the audience. It even won him some celebrity fans, including Hong Kong actor Daniel Wu.

The actor sent Zou，his congratulations on Weibo, saying: "Zou Shi Ming put on a good show today! Zou Shiming representing China!"