BOXER AYON Naranjo has already been transferred to the ward of the Yokohama Rosai Hotel from the intensive care unit following a loss to Venezuelan prospect Jorge Linares last Sunday.
This was the information relayed to the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) boxing division in Manila yesterday by the boxer’s manager, Leonel Lazarito, who is still in Japan and awaiting permission from doctors there to release Naranjo.
“Inilipat na sa ward from the ICU,” said Lazarito’s wife Lydia. “Leonel said he is requesting doctors there to give all the medications to Naranjo before they are allowed to go home.”
Lazarito added that they might be able to go home within the week or early next week.
Naranjo, who earned a measly $800 for battling the heavy-hitting Linares underneath a double world title fight at the Yokohama Arena, was knocked down in the fifth round of their scheduled six-rounder.
All three judges scored it in favor of the South American, 60-53.
Linares, 20, thus improved his win-loss mark to 17-0 with ten knockouts.
Naranjo complained of dizziness an hour after his lopsided loss and he was immediately brought to the hospital where he underwent several tests, including a CT scan.
Initial reports said he had a brain swelling, but the GAB medical division could not confirm this.
Dr. Nasser Cruz, the GAB medical division chief, said he will examine the recommendations of the Japanese doctors upon the arrival of Naranjo.
“If the recommendation (by the Japanese doctors) says that he (Naranjo) should not fight again, then we will abide by it,” said Cruz.
