BoxingScene has reported that Russian Magomed Abdusalamov, who dropped a unanimous decision last night on HBO’s televised portion of the Golovkin vs Stevens fight card, was hopitalized earlier today.
According to BoxingScene, Magomed’s manager, Boris Grinberg, insisted his fighter seemed to be fine immediately after the bout as doctors tended to his broken hand and fractured nose.
However, after several hours elapsed, Abdusalamov began feeling sick and complaining of a migraines.
The heavyweight fighter was then placed in a medically-induced coma, a procedure used for patients who are at high risk of brain injury.
By minimizing the electrical activity in the brain and reducing the brain’s metabolism, a medically-induced coma can minimize the swelling and inflammation of the brain and reduce the possibility of any serious complications stemming from a blood clot.
The Russian is believed to be resting in ICU and in stable condition, albeit still in a coma, at St. Luke’s-Roosevelt Hospital Center in New York. Abdusalamov, who appeared lucid and clear-headed in the ring immediately after the conclusion of last night’s fight, engaged in a high impact, entertaining 10 round brawl with Mike Perez (20-0, 12KOs).
He landed and absorbed a lot of powershots and was knocked off balance a few times but didn’t seem seriously hurt or on the verge of getting knocked out at any time in the bout.
During the fight, however, Abdusalamov seemed preoccupied with an apparent facial injury, asking his corner several times if his nose was broken.
Although jolted several times in the first round, Abdusalamov scratched back, pulling even after four rounds on FightSaga’s card. The superior-skilled Perez eventually took control and landed more punches and the harder shots but Mogomed had strong moments, cracking Perez with hard leather and rocking his foe late in the bout.
By the end of the fight, Mago’s face was a mess. The left side was badly swollen, prompting HBO’s announcers to suggest he’d suffered a broken orbital bone or jaw.
The official scores were 97-92, 97-92, and 95-94.
Entering the bout, Magomed was 18-0, 18 KOs.
In 2004, undefeated heavyweight boxer Joe Mesi was believed to have suffered at least one subdural hematoma after his bout with former cruiserweight champion Vassiliy Jirov. Despite going 7-0, 4 KOs after the apparent injury, he was unable to obtain a boxing license from a state with a significant boxing presence.
FightSaga will bring you the latest on Magomed’s condition but we don’t expect any new information until Monday.
Readers should also visit BoxingScene for the latest updates on the status of Magomed.
