Analog
Lifer
LAS VEGAS (AP) -- Veteran boxer Leavander Johnson underwent brain surgery and was in critical condition Saturday night after collapsing in his dressing room following his IBF lightweight title loss against challenger Jesus Chavez.
Johnson's promoter said doctors told him the fighter's brain swelled during surgery and they were inducing a coma to try and control it.
"He's not in good shape," Lou DiBella said.
Johnson left the ring on his own accord but began having trouble walking on his way back to the dressing room after being stopped by Jesus Chavez in the 11th round of their title fight at the MGM Grand hotel-casino. DiBella said he was revived but passed out again in the ambulance on the way to the hospital after complaining of a bad headache.
DiBella said he was told by doctors that Johnson suffered a subdural hematoma, which is bleeding in the brain area. He said he seemed aware and conscious going into surgery, but said later that doctors described his situation as grave.
Johnson was listed in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit after the surgery.
The 35-year-old fighter from Atlantic City, N.J., who was defending his 135-pound title against Chavez, took a tremendous beating throughout the fight.
The fight was part of a card promoted by Oscar De La Hoya that featured bouts with Marco Antonio Barrera and Shane Mosley.
The fight was stopped 38 seconds into the 11th round by referee Tony Weeks but not before Johnson took what appeared to be about two dozen unanswered punches to the head while he was up against the ropes. :shocked:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/m.../johnson.surgery.ap/index.html?cnn=yes
Johnson's promoter said doctors told him the fighter's brain swelled during surgery and they were inducing a coma to try and control it.
"He's not in good shape," Lou DiBella said.
Johnson left the ring on his own accord but began having trouble walking on his way back to the dressing room after being stopped by Jesus Chavez in the 11th round of their title fight at the MGM Grand hotel-casino. DiBella said he was revived but passed out again in the ambulance on the way to the hospital after complaining of a bad headache.
DiBella said he was told by doctors that Johnson suffered a subdural hematoma, which is bleeding in the brain area. He said he seemed aware and conscious going into surgery, but said later that doctors described his situation as grave.
Johnson was listed in critical condition in the hospital's intensive care unit after the surgery.
The 35-year-old fighter from Atlantic City, N.J., who was defending his 135-pound title against Chavez, took a tremendous beating throughout the fight.
The fight was part of a card promoted by Oscar De La Hoya that featured bouts with Marco Antonio Barrera and Shane Mosley.
The fight was stopped 38 seconds into the 11th round by referee Tony Weeks but not before Johnson took what appeared to be about two dozen unanswered punches to the head while he was up against the ropes. :shocked:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/m.../johnson.surgery.ap/index.html?cnn=yes
