Magomed Abdusalamov In Coma Following Loss on Satuday Night

Heavyweight boxer Magomed Abdusalamov is comatose and in the intensive care unit of a New York hospital following his Saturday night fight against Mike Perez at the Theater at Madison Square Garden.

The Russian-born fighter, a 6-3 southpaw, took some heavy shots from the Cuban-born Perez, and lost a unanimous decision after ten rounds.

The 32-year-old fighter broke his left hand in round one of the bout, he stated after, and suffered a broken nose, but seemed OK apart from those injuries after his fight, which was televised on HBO, and took place before the Gennady Golovkin-Curtis Stevens main event.

Hours later, “Mago” complained of a headache, though, and was taken to Roosevelt Hospital. He was placed in a comatose state by physicians, to reduce excess swelling of the brain, and reduce the possibility of more severe brain damage, according to Nathan Lewkowicz, the son of Mago’s advisor Sampson Lewkowicz. The fighter was in stable condition, still comatose, at Roosevelt Hospital on 59th St. and 10th Ave. as of Sunday late afternoon, Nathan told TSS.

Mago’s manager, Boris Grinberg, told TSS the fighter is “good” and that he is optimistic he will recover. A press release with more details will be released on Monday, he said.

A pro since 2008, Mago was undefeated at 18-0 entering the fight with the 19-0 Perez, with 18 KOs to his credit. The 28-year-old Perez boxed smartly, and had the fellow lefty backing up during the bout, which is not something Mago was used to. The Russian said he broke his left hand in the first round, and was unable to make a proper fist after that.

“The thoughts and prayers of all of us at HBO Sports are with Magomed Abdusalamov,” said HBO Sports President Ken Hershman on Sunday. “We are grateful for the medical care he is receiving here in New York City and out of respect for Magomed and his family, we will wait for any official updates on his condition before making any further statements.”

Mago resides in Florida, and is married, with a wife, and children.

Our fingers are crossed, tightly, that Mago returns to form.

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