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The Dreaded Subdural Hematoma
![The-Dreaded-Subdural-Hematoma](https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/The-Dreaded.png)
The Dreaded Subdural Hematoma
In 2016, I wrote an article for TSS titled, “Concussion: Now It’s Boxing’s Turn.” In the article, published on Aug. 16, I described the work of Dr. Bennet Ifeakandu Omalu who became famous for his work on Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) on football players using former Pittsburgh Steeler “Iron Mike” Webster as a key part of his study.
Six years later, Tris Dixon’s timely book, “Damage: The Untold Story of Brain Trauma in Boxing,” was published. In the book, Dixon wrote:
ââŠThis is boxing.â CTE is actually punch-drunk syndrome. It was a big epiphany for me: âHang on, the NFL are addressing this but we do nothing in boxing.â Iâd been in boxing 25 years and I didnât know about CTE, tau protein and things that should be a staple. Fireworks went off in my head: âWow, these guys worrying about the NFL could be worrying about boxing, which is far more dangerous.â The NFL concussion debate started with The Mike Webster case in 2000. Boxing turned its back for nine decades and we havenât had our Webster moment yet.â (emphasis mine)
To my delight, Tris affirmed what I had concluded in my 2016 article; to wit, a connection between Dementia Pugilistica and CTE existed. In fact, they might be the same.
January 2010
Before I wrote the 2016 article, I had a somewhat traumatic if not unique experience for a boxing writer—and this brings me to January 9, 2010.
While dining out out with my wife, I became incredibly thirsty. The following day I began to get disoriented with a splitting headache and short-term memory loss. I recall I could not put my watch on, type, or connect the buttons on my shirt. Something was wrong. After experiencing some confusion, I drove to my ophthalmologistâs nearby office at Memorial Hospital in North Conway, New Hampshire, thinking something was going on with my eye pressure. He took one look and immediately had me wheeled to emergency. He thought I was having a stroke and he was not far off.
 I was then given an MRI after which I was Informed that the results showed I had a brain bleed and that I would be taken to the excellent Maine Medical Complex in Portland, Maine, where they were equipped to attend to the matter.
The 65-minute ambulance ride over icy roads (I chose ambulance over helicopter) was harrowing. The attendant asked my name and date of birth every five minutes. He also gave me a shot of something that relaxed me. His intent was to keep me conscious.
We finally reached the hospital (a large complex) and I was rolled to ICU on a stretcher and then, after a short while, assigned to a room where I met the operating surgeon, Dr. Joseph Alexander. I asked how serious a matter this was and he assured me that things would come out âjust fine.â I also asked if this is what happens to boxers who suffer a subdural hematoma, and he replied, âif they are luckyâ inferring that if they lose consciousness and/or a blood clot is present, things can get very tricky. Thankfully, neither one was involved in my case.
 I was then prepared for the operation. My wife was with me the entire time staying in the nearby Regency Hotel.
I was quickly rolled into the operating room and commenced talking with the  anesthesiologists. Suddenly, I went out like a light and the operation began to resolve the dangerously increasing pressure caused by the brain bleed.
I woke up in a bed with high rails and a tube in my head (see photo above) but I WOKE UP. The doctor said that when they opened up my skull, the blood gushed out like a geyser. They also had to remove part of my skull (see photo) to help ease the pressure of the swelling.
In retrospect, I had taken a bad fall a few months back. I had gotten out of bed too fast and fainted, landing hard on my head. Whether this was the cause could not be determined because there was some âold bloodâ in my skull, but I believe that it was. At any rate, I was confined to a nice private room for four days and subsisted on horrific hospital cuisine. I recall that a terrible earthquake had struck Haiti so I can accurately pinpoint the dates of these events.
 The only discomfort I experienced was a headache and a bad reaction to OxyContin in which I became a jumping jack. It was horrible, but it was soon replaced by something that worked, Finally, on the fourth day, they removed the draining tube from my head and stitched the hole.
Research
During my time at the hospital, I made it a point to learn as much as I could about subdural hematomas. In particular, I was interested to see where my situation ranked in the scheme of things.
I found that speed is essential and that after a short time without blood flowing to the brain, unconsciousness takes place. Apparently, after a few short minutes without the oxygen that the fresh blood supplies, the brain begins to shut down. And then after about five-six minutes, the result can be irreversible brain damage or death. This was not my case, thank God, as the swelling of the brain did not cut off access to blood by squeezing shut the arteries and blood vessels that supply it.
Apparently, If the brain swells larger than the skull, bad things can happen. For example, the sign of blood coming out of the ears should be a warning sign whether in boxing or otherwise.
I had become an amateur expert on brain injuries thanks to reading and discussing the topic. I learned that my situation was on the lower end of the severity index, but I also learned that the critical variable of speed translates in boxing to an absolute need for competent medical assistance at ringside — oxygen, stretchers, and a waiting ambulance.
In this connection, the death of Willie Classen in 1979 begs to be reexamined. So does Greg Pageâs case in 2002 where there was no ambulance, no team of paramedics, nor oxygen, all of which were required by law. The ringside doctor, Manuel Mediodia, wasn’t licensed in Kentucky and was under suspension in Ohio.
Their stories cannot be forgotten, nor should the 2013 case of Magomed Abdusalamov or the bizarre ring fatality of South African Simiso Buthelezi, a more recent example.
My hospital stay then ended, my son arrived and took me back home to New Hampshire where I started the rehab process and, sooner rather than later, fully recovered.
 I had used up one of my nine.
October 2017
Unfortunately, the issue popped up again in 2017 when one of my sisters suffered a traumatic brain injury as a result of being struck by a truck in Las Vegas. After emergency surgery could not bring her back, she was put on life support machines. I knew more than most what was going on and I knew what needed to be done.
Upon arriving to Las Vegas I immediately went to the hospital and conversed with the neurologist. After staying at her side for two days to give her many friends and relatives a chance to say goodbye and/or to pray, I had the life support machines disconnected and remained alone with her until she passed about an hour later. It was another horrific incident that added to my body of knowledge on brain injuries. I think of her every day.
As far as boxing is concerned, the danger of a subdural hematoma is omnipresent, and it doesnât discriminate: â
 Ted Sares enjoys writing about boxing and can be reached at tedsares@roadrunner.com
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 289: East LA, Claressa Shields and More
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 289: East LA, Claressa Shields and More
East Los Angeles has long been a haven for some of the best fighters around if you can keep them out of trouble. For every Oscar De La Hoya or Seniesa Estrada there are thousands derailed by crime, drugs or drinking.
Boxing has always been a favorite sport of East L.A. Every family has an uncle or two who boxes.
On Friday, 360 Promotionsâ Omar Trinidad (15-0-1) fights Viktor Slavinskyi (15-2-1) in the main event at Commerce Casino, in Commerce, CA. UFC Fight Pass will stream the fight card.
The City of Commerce used to be part of East L.A. until 1960 when it incorporated. Itâs still considered to be part of East Los Angeles, but informally.
Plenty of fighters come out of East L.A. but few make it all the way like De La Hoya and Estrada. Will Trinidad be the one?
The first world champion from East L.A. or âEast Losâ as some call it, was Solly Garcia Smith back in the late 1800s. Others were Richie Lemos, Art Frias and Joey Olivo. There is also 1984 Olympic gold medalist Paul Gonzalez.
Once again 360 Promotions brings its popular brand of fights to the area. On this fight card includes two female bouts. One features Roxy Verduzco (1-0) the former amateur star fighting Colleen Davis (3-1-1) in a featherweight fight.
All that action takes place on Friday.
Elite Boxing
The next day, also in East L.A., Elite Boxing stages another boxing card at Salesian High School located at 960 S. Soto Street in the Boyle Heights area of East Los Angeles.
Elite Boxing has promoted several successful boxing cards at the Catholic high school grounds. The area is saturated by many of the best eateries in Los Angeles. Donât take my word for it. Check it out yourself and grab some of that delicious food.
Boxing has long been a favorite sport of anyone who lives in East L.A. Itâs a fight town equal to Philadelphia, Brooklyn or Detroit. Thereâs something different about the area. For more than 100 years some of the best fighters continue to come out of its boxing gyms. Some will be performing on these club shows.
For tickets or information go to www.eliteboxingusa.com
Claressa Shields in Detroit
Speaking of fight towns, pound-for-pound best Claressa Shields who won two Olympic Gold Medals in boxing, moves up another weight division to tackle the WBC heavyweight world champion Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse on Saturday, July 27, at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan.
DAZN will stream the heavy-duty fight card.
Shields (14-0) cleaned out the super welterweight, middleweight and super middleweight divisions and now wants to add the big girls to her conquests. She will be facing Canadaâs Lepage-Joanisse  (7-1) who holds the WBC belt.
The last time Shields gloved up was more than a year ago when she fought Maricela Cornejo. Donât blame Shields. She loves to fight. She loves to win. The last time Shields lost a fight was in the amateurs and that was three presidential administrations ago.
Shields doesnât lose.
I wonder if Las Vegas even takes bets on her fights?
The only fight she may have been an underdog was against Savannah Marshall who was the last opponent to defeat her. And that was in 2012 in China. When they met as pros two years ago, Shields avenged her loss with a blistering attack.
Donât get Shields mad.
Perhaps her toughest foe as a pro was in her pro debut when she clashed with Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Las Vegas. It was four rounds of fists and fury as the two pounded each other on the undercard of Andre Ward and Sergey Kovalev in November 2016.
That was a ferocious debut for both female pugilists.
Assisting Shields on this fight card will be several intriguing male bouts. One guy you should pay special attention is Tito Mercado (15-0, 14 KOs) a super lightweight prospect from Pomona, California.
Many excellent fighters have come out of Pomona including Sugar Shane Mosley, Shane Mosley Jr., Alberto Davila and Richie Sandoval who just passed away this week.
Sandoval was best known for his 15-round war with Philadelphiaâs Jeff Chandler for the bantamweight world title in 1984. Read the story by Arne K. Lang on this link: https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/featured-boxing-articles-boxing-news-videos-rankings-and-results/81467-former-world-bantamweight-champion-richie-sandoval-passes-away-at-age-63 .
Fights to Watch
Fri. UFC Fight Pass 7 p.m. Omar Trinidad (15-0-1) vs Viktor Slavinskyi (15-2-1).
Sat. ESPN+ 12:30 p.m. Joe Joyce (16-2) vs Derek Chisora (34-13).
Sat. DAZN Â 3 p.m. Claressa Shields (14-0) vs Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse (7-1), Michel Rivera (25-1) vs Hugo Roldan (22-2-1); Tito Mercado (15-0) vs Hector Sarmiento (21-2).
Omar Trinidad photo by Lina Baker
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Arneâs Almanac: Jake Paul and Womenâs Boxing, a Curmudgeonâs Take
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Jake Paul can fight more than a little. The view from here is that he would make it interesting against any fringe contender in the cruiserweight division. However, Jakeâs boxing acumen pales when paired against his skill as a flim-flam artist.
Jake brought a 9-1 record into last weekendâs bout with Mike Perry. As noted by boxing writer Paul Magno, Jakeâs previous opponents consisted of âa You Tuber, a retired NBA star, five retired MMA stars, a part-time boxer/reality TV star, and two undersized and inactive fall-guy boxers.â
Mike Perry, a 32-year-old Floridian, was undefeated (6-0, 3 KOs) as a bare-knuckle boxer after forging a 14-8 record in UFC bouts. In pre-fight blurbs, Perry was billed as the baddest bare knuckle boxer of all time, but against Jake Paul he proved to have very unrefined skills as a conventional boxer which Team Paul undoubtedly knew all along. Perry lasted into the eighth round in a one-sided fight that could have been stopped a lot sooner.
Jake Paul is both a boxer and a promoter. As a promoter, he handles Amanda Serrano, one of the greatest female boxers in history. That makes him the person most responsible (because the buck stops with him) for the wretched mismatch in last Saturdayâs co-feature, the bout between Serrano and Stevie Morgan.
Morgan, who took up boxing two years ago at age 33, brought a 14-1 record. Nicknamed the Sledgehammer, she had won 13 of her 14 wins by knockout, eight in the opening round. However, although she resides in Florida, all but one of those 13 knockouts happened in Colombia.
âWe found that in Colombia there were just more opportunities for womenâs boxing than in the United States,â she told a prominent boxing writer whose name we wonât mention.
The truth is that, for some folks, Colombia is the boxing equivalent of a feeder lot for livestock, a place where a boxer can go to fatten their record. The opportunities there were no greater than in Hot Springs, Arkansas, in 1995. It was there that Peter McNeeley prepped for his match with Mike Tyson with a 6-second knockout of professional punching bag Frankie Hines. (Six seconds? So it would be written although no one seems to have been there to witness it.)
Serrano vs Morgan was understood to be a stay-busy fight for Amanda whose rematch with Katie Taylor was postponed until November. Stevie Morgan, to her credit, answered the bell for the second round whereas others in her situation would have remained on the stool and invented an injury to rationalize it. Thirty-eight seconds later it was all over and Ms. Morgan was free to go home and use her sledgehammer to do some light dusting.
The Paul-Perry and Serrano-Morgan fights played out in a sold-out arena in Tampa before an estimated 17,000. Those without a DAZN subscription paid $64.95 for the livestream. Paulâs next promotion, where he will touch gloves with 58-year-old Mike Tyson (unless Iron Mike pulls a Joe Biden and pulls out; a capital idea) with Serrano-Taylor II the semi-main, will almost certainly rake in more money than any other boxing promotion this year.
Asked his opinion of so-called crossover boxing by a reporter for a college newspaper, the venerable boxing promoter Bob Arum said, âItâs not my bag but folks who donât like it shouldnât get too worked up over it because no one is stealing from anybody.â True enough, but for some of us, the phenomenon is distressing.
—
The next big womenâs fight happens Saturday in Detroit where Claressa Shields seeks a world title in a third weight class against WBC heavyweight belt-holder Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, undefeated in 14 fights as a pro, Shields is very good, arguably the best female boxer of her generation which makes her, arguably, the best female boxer of all time. But turning away Lepage-Joanisse (7-1, 2 KOs) wonât elevate her stature in our eyes.
Purportedly 17-4 as an amateur, the Canadian won her title in her second crack at it. Back in August of 2017, she challenged Cancunâs Alejandra Jimenez in Cancun and was stopped in the third round. Entering the bout, Lepage-Joanisse was 3-0 as a pro and had never fought a match slated for more than four rounds.
![Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse](https://tss.ib.tv/boxing/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Vanessa-300x263.png)
Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse
True, on the womenâs side, the heavyweight bracket is a very small pod. A sanctioning body has to make concessions to harness a sanctioning fee. Nonetheless, how absurd that a woman who had answered the bell for only 11 rounds would be deemed qualified to compete for a world title. (FYI: Alejandra Jimenez was purportedly born a man. She left the sport with a 12-0-1 record after her win over Franchon Crews Dazurn was changed to a no-contest when she tested positive for the banned steroid stanozolol.)
Following her defeat to Jimenez, Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse, now 29 years old, was out of action for six-and-a-half years. When she returned, she was still a heavyweight, but a much slender heavyweight. She carried 231 pounds for Jimenez. In her most recent bout where she captured the vacant WBC title with a split decision over Argentinaâs Abril Argentina Vidal, she clocked in at 173 ÂŒ. (On the distaff side, thereâs no uniformity among the various sanctioning bodies as to what constitutes a heavyweight.)
Claressa Shields doesnât need Vanessa Lepage-Joanisse to reinforce her credentials as a future Hall of Famer. She made the cut a long time ago.
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Former World Bantamweight Champion Richie Sandoval Passes Away at Age 63
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Richie Sandoval, who won the WBA and lineal bantamweight title in one of the biggest upsets of the 1980s and then, not quite two years later, suffered near-fatal injuries in a title defense, has passed away at the age of 63.
News circulated fast in the Las Vegas boxing community on Monday, July 22, the grapevine actuated by a tweet from Hall of Fame matchmaker Bruce Trampler: âBoxing and the Top Rank family lost one of our own last night in the passing of former WBA bantamweight champion Richie Sandoval. It hurts personally and professionally to know that Richie is gone at age 63. RIP campeon.â
Details are vague but the cause of death was apparently a sudden heart attack that Sandoval experienced while visiting the Southern California home of his son of the same name.
Richie Sandoval put the LA County community of Pomona, California, on the boxing map before Shane Mosley came along and gave the town a more frequently-cited mention in the sports section of the papers. He came from a fighting family. An older brother, Albert âSuperflyâ Sandoval, became a big draw at LAâs fabled Olympic Auditorium while building a 35-2-1 record that included a failed bid to capture Lupe Pintorâs world bantamweight title.
Richie was a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic boxing team that was stranded when U.S. President Jimmy Carter (and many other world leaders) boycotted the event as a protest against Russiaâs invasion of Afghanistan.
As a pro, Sandovalâs signature win was a 15th-round stoppage of Jeff Chandler. They fought on April 7, 1984 in Atlantic City. Chandler was making the tenth defense of his world bantamweight title.
Despite being a heavy underdog, Sandoval dominated the fight, winning almost every round until the referee stepped in and waived it off. Chandler, who was 33-1-2 heading in and had avenged his lone defeat, never fought again.
Sandoval made two successful defenses before risking his title against Gaby Canizales on the undercard of Hagler-Mugabi in the outdoor stadium at Caesars Palace. In round seven, Sandoval, who had a hellish time making the weight, was knocked down three times and suffered a seizure as he collapsed from the third knockdown. Stretchered out of the ring, he was rushed to the hospital where doctors reduced the swelling in his brain and beat the odds to save his life. This would be Richieâs lone defeat. He finished his pro career with a record of 29-1 (17 KOs).
Bob Arum cushioned some of the pain by giving Richie a $25,000 bonus and offering him a lifetime job at Top Rank which Richie accepted. And let the record show that Arum was good to his word.
A more elaborate portrait of Richie Sandoval was published in these pages in 2017. You can check it out HERE. May he rest in peace.
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