The family of Belfast boxer Stephen McMullan have said he is "fighting very hard for the best recovery" but has "a long way to go".
His loved ones have also thanked people for their generous donations to a fundraising campaign to help him on his road to recovery.
The 25-year-old heavyweight has been moved out of ICU after he became unwell the day after his Ulster Elite final.
He is now being treated in the stroke ward after five weeks in Intensive Care at the Royal Victoria Hospital.
Stephen did not require medical attention immediately after his heavyweight final in early December when he was defeated by Charlie Boyle of Monkstown in the provincial decider at the Girdwood Community Hub.
His club Newington ABC have been asking for people to pray for their coach, fighter and friend during his time in hospital.
Stephen’s cousin Mary has started a fundraising page, in which she hopes to gather public donations of at least £5,000 to help his family afford his intensive rehabilitation and an Eyegaze computer system, which he will need to enable him to communicate with others.
That target has already been smashed within a few days.
Posting an update on Monday, Mary wrote: "Can't thank everyone enough for their kind donations. Stephen has settled on the stroke ward and is fighting very hard for the best recovery he has a long way to go.
"Knowing he has so many people behind him is making him push himself harder everyday. Yesterday he made a fist and moved his arm. He is certainly proving them wrong already in such a short space of time. Today he managed to sit out in a chair for three whole hours which is absolutely amazing. #ourchamp has got this. Xxxx".
Former boxing world champion Carl Frampton is among those who has sent encouraging video messages to the recovering fighter.
In a social media post, Stephen’s girlfriend Aimee Fitzsimons wrote: "I’m just taking this time to thank everyone for their generous donations towards the page for Stephen. It is so overwhelming! Stephen is a true fighter and will show everyone that in the months to come."
Aimee also appealed to local and professional boxers who could help by doing encouragement videos for Stephen.
She added: "Boxing is his passion and it would help him and show the support he has. I would like to thank Carl Frampton, Steven Ward, Jono Carroll for doing one!"
Stephen’s sister Claire added: “From being told my brother wouldn't make movement to him raising his fist in the air five minutes ago on Facetime not once, but twice, when asked. He truly is a f***ing warrior.”
Claire said her family are "blessed and grateful to have so many prayers for him and the donations to help him further on his journey", adding that they are "over the moon".
The public JustGiving page for Stephen reads: “Unfortunately, his fighting career has been cruelly taken from him on December 9 2021.
“Stephen has fought so hard to be here with us today and continues to fight strong, he remains very sick and has been left with life changing injuries… All we want as a family is to give Stephen the best shot at life and for him to have the best quality of life, to the best of his ability.
“For Stephen to be able to do this he is going to require intensive support, therapy and equipment which is a massive burden financially on the family as Stephen was the breadwinner.
“We just want to give back to him as much as he gave us in life, we want to give him as much independence as possible and cannot do this alone, so we would like to ask for as much help as possible… We want to help bring back that smile that lit up every room he entered.
"Any funds not used towards Stephens Recovery will be donated to ICU and the Stroke Ward in The Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast."
If you would like to donate to Stephen’s fundraising page, you can do so here.
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