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Leavander Johnson dead
Will this spark more debate about safety in boxing, or the acceptability of the sport itself?
Anyway, first and foremost thoughst should be with his family. RIP.
Quote:
American Leavander Johnson died on Thursday five days after he collapsed following his defeat to Jesus Chavez.
The 35-year-old complained of headaches after losing his IBF world lightweight title to the Mexican in Las Vegas on a technical knock-out in the 11th round.
He collapsed in his dressing room and was taken to hospital and remained on life support following surgery to stop bleeding on the left side of his brain.
Dr William Smith told reporters: "He passed away peacefully."
Dr Smith said Johnson had suffered "very severe injury to the brain" and that the boxer's family "very correctly took the decision to remove care (after) we had no further mode to improve his prognosis."
Johnson's promoter Lou DiBella led tributes to the fighter.
"What a wonderful guy this was," she said. "I've never met anybody so proud or so grateful to achieve his dream.
"If there's any solace to be taken in this, it's that he died doing what he loved. He died a champion."
Born in Atlantic City, New Jersey, Johnson spent 16 years as a professional boxer and finally won the 135-pound division title in June.
But in his first defence on Saturday, Chavez had the champion in trouble from the start and referee Tony Weeks stopped the fight 38 seconds into the 11th round.
Johnson managed to walk from the ring on his own but began to struggle as he got closer to the dressing room.
Johnson's father was his trainer and his brother was his manager and both were among those family members at his bedside when he died.
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__________________
"Do not tell lies, and do not do what you hate,
for all things are plain in the sight of Heaven. For nothing
hidden will not become manifest, and nothing covered will remain
without being uncovered."
The Gospel of Thomas
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