Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Boxer Diaz In Coma After Brain Surgery

Welterweight fighter collapsed in the ring after 10 rounds

By Katherine Thompson, Newser Staff

Posted Jul 18, 2008 7:30 AM CDT

(Newser) – Boxer Oscar Diaz remains in a coma after undergoing surgery to relieve swelling on his brain after he collapsed during a match, ESPN reports. Although his vital signs are good, Diaz is relying on a ventilator to breathe and his condition is "touch-and-go, very critical," said fight organizer Ron Katz. Diaz crumpled to the ground in his corner following the 10th round in his match against Delvin Rodriguez Wednesday night.

Referees deemed Rodriguez the winner by TKO. When Diaz remained unresponsive, medical personnel rushed him to the hospital, where surgeons had to "remove a part of his cranium to get the swelling down," according to Katz. "He didn't look good," said the chief of Star Boxing.

[Images (1)]

[Videos (1)]

Oscar Diaz, left, takes a punch from Delvin Rodriguez during their USBA welterweight title fight at Municipal Auditorium in San Antonio, Texas Wednesday July 16, 2008. (AP Photo)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

San Antionio Texas Boxer collapses in the ring. In the 10th round after referee asked him "how many fingers am I holding," Diaz grunted and lost his legs. (MEXFlGHTERS)

View larger videos >>

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next »

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Manny Pacquiao Ekes Out Championship

Pacquiao holds onto welterweight title, but Marquez protests decision

(NEWSER) - Manny Pacquiao narrowly survived his third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez in last night's battle for the welterweight title, winning two out of three scorecards to retain his championship, reports the AP . Pacquiao's aggression was evenly matched by Marquez's counterpunching, and many thought Marquez deserved the win—the results were greeted with boos and bottles and cans flying at the ring. More»

Boxing Champ Vernon Forrest Shot Dead

'The Viper' shot after gunpoint robbery: police

(NEWSER) - Former pro boxer Vernon “the Viper” Forrest was shot and killed Saturday night in a skirmish after he was robbed, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Forrest had stopped at a gas station to fill his tires with air when a man robbed him at gunpoint. The armed ex-fighter chased the mugger, and was shot seven to eight times in the back in an ensuing gunfight. Evidence suggested Forrest also used his weapon, police said. More»

Boxing's Little Icons Prep For Duel

Hugely popular pair to duke it out Saturday

(NEWSER) - Saturday will see a boxing matchup sure to draw countless diehard fans: Filipino Manny Pacquiao, considered the sport’s “pound-for-pound best,” versus Britiain's Ricky Hatton, the current International Boxing Organization junior welterweight champ. “When Manny fights, everything stops in the Philippines,” a Manila journalist tells the Wall Street Journal. And a million Brits got up at 4am to see a Hatton match in Las Vegas, said a promoter. More»

Champ Delivers on KO Promise

Mayweather fends off Hatton with big blows in the 10th

(NEWSER) - Floyd Mayweather Jr. defended his welterweight crown against British challenger Ricky Hatton last night in 10 rounds. The 147-pound champion showed more punching than dancing, as Hatton kept on the offensive—contrary to the predictions that the bout would be a boring one. Before an overwhelmingly British crowd, Mayweather came through on his guarantee of a knockout. More»

Cotto Outlasts Mosley, Keeps Title

'Real warrior' gets the decision, stays unbeaten in tough fight

(NEWSER) - Miguel Cotto came out triumphant over Shane Mosley in a well-matched fight last night at Madison Square Garden, ESPN reports. Cotto held on to his welterweight title by landing more powerful punches in the 115-113 decision, improving to 31-0 as the more experienced and well-known Mosley dropped to 44-5. More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Boxer Diaz In Coma After Brain Surgery