Daniel Franco Remains in Induced Coma

Featherweight contender Daniel Franco remains in an induced coma after suffering a subdural hematoma more commonly known as a “brain bleed” and later an epidural hematoma after being knocked out last weekend in Sloan, Iowa during his fight with Jose Haro.

“We got good news today,” said Al Franco father and trainer of Daniel Franco. “His temperature is at 98 degrees so we’re thankful for that.”

Daniel Franco, 25, is currently at Mercy Medical Center in Sioux City, Iowa, where he remains in an induced coma recommended by the medical staff. He is surrounded by family members including his sister, mother, father and brothers. One brother Nick Franco, currently serving for the U.S. military in Afghanistan, was given permission to fly to his brother’s bedside.

All of his family have been there for five days and expect to be at the medical center for an expected long period of time.

Brain bleeds are the enemy of prizefighters. Every year a half dozen to a dozen fighters suffer from brain bleeds that are usually caused by trauma to the head. The danger lies in the overwhelming pressure the excess blood causes to the brain. Two surgeries were performed on Franco to relieve the pressure to his brain.

I speak from experience. Three years ago, exactly, a brain bleed sent me to the hospital for a month in 2014. After two surgeries to treat a subdural hematoma and an epidural hematoma –just like Daniel Franco’s injuries- it took months to recover. That’s without severe complications such as infections, speech impediments, motor skill recovery and blood pressure problems. These are all factors and concerns.

Al Franco was told by the attending physicians that recovery will take months. Meanwhile the Franco family is staying in hotel rooms and renting cars to stay by their family member’s bedside.

Speaking to the patriarch of the Franco family he recounted the fight looking for answers to the reason his son suffered such a severe injury.

“He was hurt in the fourth round but he answered my questions the way I wanted him to,” said Al Franco. “In the seventh round I decided I was going to end the fight if he continued the same way the next round.”

Daniel Franco was stopped by a right cross in the eighth round. It did not appear that he hit his head on the canvas. Perhaps it was the blow itself or an accumulation of blows.

Al Franco said his son complained of his head hurting while in the corner at the end of the fight. He also complained of an injury to his knee. An ambulance took Daniel Franco quickly to the hospital.

“They had him in the hospital in 30 minutes,” said Al Franco.

This is just the beginning for the Franco family whose sole focus is on the recovery of Daniel Franco. They will need assistance for a variety of things including food, transportation, housing and other necessary items.

To help the Franco family please go to their GoFundMe page:

https://www.gofundme.com/3x0mfcg