Chinese boxing sensation Zou Shiming has reclaimed the WBO International flyweight title after beating the undefeated Brazilian Natan Santana Coutinho by a way of an eighth round technical knockout in Shanghai Oriental Sports Center on Saturday night.

Billed as 'The Return of the King,' the boxing event organized by the Top Rank and SECA is the eighth professional match of Zou in China that attracted a sizable crowd.

Like Us on Facebook

In the early first two rounds of action, the Chinese pugilist was very active offensively, attacking the Brazilian with series of punches. However, Coutinho had a good defense that gave Zou a hard time.

According to tCCTV, the 21-year-old South American was happy to play to the crowd. Cotinho playfully gyrated at the Chinese boxer twice in the first two rounds of the match as the two were evenly matched.

But in the eighth round of the boxing bout, 34-year-old Zou was able to establish a couple of strong flurry of shots that incapacitated the much younger Cotinho. The Chinese fighter landed and connected punches, the Brazilian was cornered and could not retaliate. The referee stepped in at 2:34 of the round and stopped the fight.

With the victory the Zou has improved his record to 7 wins, 1 loss with 2 KOs, while Coutinho suffered his first defeat in his 13 professional bouts (12-1, 10 KOs).

The Shanghai event marked Zou's return to the ring since losing to Amnat Ruenroeng of Thailand in an IBF Flyweight title match last March.

"I've taken ten months off to rest, spend time with my family and even found a little reality TV fame, but my heart never left the ring," Zou said to Yahoo Sports after the fight.

"Today I fought patiently and got into a rhythm. (Coutinho) is young and has a powerful right hand, but once I got into a rhythm I was able to control the fight."

TagsZou shimming, WBO, Top Rank