Oscar Diaz Collapses in Ring, Rushed to Hospital - Russakoff Rules Sports

Welterweight boxer Oscar Diaz collapsed in his corner following the 10th round of his fight with Delvin Rodriguez Wednesday night. ESPN.com reports that Diaz was rushed to University Medical Center in San Antonio and underwent brain surgery early Thursday morning.

"He's got swelling and bleeding on the brain, he's unconscious and on a ventilator," Rodriguez promoter Ron Katz told ESPN.com.

According to Katz, Diaz's promoter, Donna Duva Brooks was at the hospital with Diaz.

"It's not good. Obviously, he's in all of our prayers," Katz said.

Just before the 11th round began, Diaz, who was standing in his corner receiving instructions from trainer Tommy Brooks, buckled and passed out. Medical personnel came to his side immediately and within a few minutes he was on a stretcher and being taken to a waiting ambulance.

"When he left the ring, he was completely stationary and he didn't look good," said Star Boxing chief Joe DeGuardia. "They couldn't get him to respond. They cleared a path right away and took him to the hospital."

The twenty-five-year-old Diaz (26-3, 12 KOs) is known for being a brawler in the ring and is no stranger to hard, punishing fights.

Update:

Katz reached ESPN.com's Dan Rafael and told him "Oscar came through surgery well. They had to remove the left side of his cranium in order to help the swelling go down, which apparently was very bad."


Read the entire ESPN.com article here.

Message Edited by Lee_Russakoff on 07-17-2008 10:53 AM