Boxing Tragedy: Magomed Abdusalamov vs. Mike Perez
Outside the Lines (Sunday, 9 a.m. ET, ESPN or ESPN2 if USA is in Olympic men’s Gold Medal hockey game)
OTL correspondent John Barr interviews Bakanay Abdusalamova, whose husband Magomed suffered severe brain injuries in a November heavyweight bout at Madison Square Garden
Previously undefeated (18-0) heavyweight contender Magomed Abdusalamov lost a 10-round decision after a brutal fight November 2 at Madison Square Garden, suffering broken bones in his face and hand, and a gash above his eye. After New York State Athletic Commission doctors examined him, they didn’t summon an on-site ambulance and he went to the hospital by taxi. Abdusalamov underwent emergency brain surgery and suffered multiple strokes, leaving him in a coma for weeks, and sparking a state investigation of the fight and its aftermath. John Barr reports.
“He was receiving lots of painful hits and complaining. I kept on thinking they would stop the fight.” — Mike Perez, who defeated Abdusalamov November 2
“We did not know that there was any kind of head injury at that point. He was showing no signs of any trouble.” — Matt Farrago, Inspector, N.Y. State Athletic Commission, assigned to monitor Abdusalamov the night of the fight
