Canadian boxer Adonis Stevenson is in a critical condition in hospital after losing the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title to Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk.
The 41-year-old was knocked out in the 11th round in Quebec City on Saturday night.
Stevenson was put on a stretcher and left Videotron Centre in an ambulance.
Boxing promoter Yvon Michel tweeted Sunday morning that Stevenson was in critical condition in intensive care in hospital.
Canadian boxer Adonis Stevenson is in a critical condition in hospital after losing the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title in Quebec City on Saturday night
He said the boxer’s family appreciated the concern and support but requested privacy.
Michel had earlier said that Stevenson appeared to be concerned when he first arrived at the hospital Saturday night.
‘We fear he has a concussion… This is very worrisome,’ Michel said.
Stevenson was making his 10th title defense since winning the belt against Chad Dawson in 2013.
It was his first loss since 2010 and the first in Canada.
Gvozdyk, 31, was fighting in Canada for the first time.
Stevenson was ahead on two of the judges’ card and tied on the third when he was stopped.
The 41-year-old was knocked out in the 11th round in Quebec City on Saturday night by Ukrainian Oleksandr Gvozdyk
Stevenson, who was making his 10th title defense since winning the belt in 2013, was put on a stretcher and left in an ambulance
Stevenson fell early in the third round after getting hit by Gvozdyk but referee Michael Griffin said it was a slip.
In the sixth round, Stevenson threw more punches to the body, which is something that he rarely does. He hit Gvozdyk in the abdomen and shook him, causing Stevenson to finish the round strongly.
Stevenson controlled the center of the ring for part of the match, but in the 10th round Gvozdyk finished with a series of blows that seemed to motivate him for the 11th round.
Gvozdyk continued with his series of flurries that got Stevenson in the ropes in the middle of the 11th, before sending the Canadian to the canvas with three solid right punches.
On the undercard, Montreal’s Oscar Rivas unanimously outpointed Brazil’s Fabio Maldonado to retain the NABF heavyweight title.
Gvozdyk, 31, was fighting in Canada for the first time when he claimed the World Boxing Council light heavyweight title