Tragic Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev stayed in the ring despite ‘unbearable pain’, his widow claims

Tragic boxer Maxim ‘Mad Max’ Dadashev suffered a stroke in the ring – but still fought on, claims his widow citing her husband’s US surgeon.

Elizaveta Apushkina, 28, said she had been told by her his doctor that her ‘warrior’ husband went on with his final bout despite ‘unbearable pain’ – but later died.

Expressing deep pride in his bravery, she claimed a stroke during the fight explained why the Russian boxer could not fight back despite never previously suffering a defeat.

Elizaveta Apushkina, 28, (pictured with Dadashev) said she had been told by her his doctor that her ‘warrior’ husband went on with his final bout despite ‘unbearable pain’ – but later died

US-based Russian boxer Dadashev, 28, collapsed soon after the fight on July 19 and during an emergency operation ‘the right side of his skull’ was removed to ease pressure from brain swelling.

Despite the surgery, he died with Elizaveta at his bedside.

The grieving widow said: ‘Do you want to know what is true grit, strength of mind and the highest will for victory?

‘What it means to be a warrior?

‘Watch this fight and when you ask yourself how Max, with his defence skills got hit with so many punches, know that he had already suffered a stroke, according to doctor who operated on him.

Dadashev, 28, collapsed soon after the fight and during an emergency operation ‘the right side of his skull’ was removed to ease pressure from brain swelling

Despite the surgery, he died with Elizaveta at his bedside

‘And he continued the fight feeling horrific, unbearable pain, losing orientation.

‘But he did not give up.

‘He rose up from his knees a million times, went forward and never gave up.’

So posted a picture of the couple’s son Daniel, two, with his father.

The widow did not name the doctor who advised her that Dadashev had suffered a stroke in the ring.

But the name of the medic who performed the operation to remove part of his skull was earlier given as neurosurgeon Mary I.H. Cobb , according to reports in the US.

If true, it is bound to raise questions as to why his acute medical condition went unnoticed by his own team and fight officials.

The widow did not name the doctor who advised her that Dadashev had suffered a stroke in the ring. But the name of the medic who performed the operation to remove part of his skull was earlier given as neurosurgeon Mary I.H. Cobb , according to reports in the US. If true, it is bound to raise questions as to why his acute medical condition went unnoticed by his own team and fight officials

Dadashev (pictured with wife and son) suffered an 11th round loss to Subriel Matias at MGM National Harbor in the suburbs of Washington on Friday

Relatives of the Russian boxer are planning to bring the body of the sportsman back to Russia (Pictured: Dadashev with son)

Dadashev suffered an 11th round loss to Subriel Matias at MGM National Harbor in the suburbs of Washington on Friday.

He took repeated violent blows to the head before his trainer Buddy McGirt halted the bout following the 11th round.

He struggled to walk out of the ring and collapsed in front of spectators before leaving the arena.

There have been questions as to why the fight was not halted sooner.

Relatives of the Russian boxer are planning to bring the body of the sportsman back to Russia.

‘There are currently no obstacles for sending the body to Russia,’ said a source.

His remains would be buried at Peterhof, near St Petersburg, where he lived.