Adonis Stevenson: Canadian boxer has suffered a ‘severe traumatic brain injury’, says hospital
- The 41-year-old was knocked out in the 11th round of his championship bout on Saturday
- Is in ICU at hospital in Quebec
The 41-year-old underwent surgery after the Saturday fight, and “his situation is still stable under the circumstances, but critical,” said doctor Alexis Turgeon.
He told a press conference it was “too early to comment” on the fighter’s long-term prognosis, but that likely he would have lasting neurological damage.
“We’ve seen cases like this, but each situation is unique,” he said.
The Haitian-born boxer was admitted to hospital in what doctors said was an “altered level of consciousness” after the unbeaten 31-year-old Gvozdyk finished him off with a crushing right hand, leaving him leaning awkwardly against the corner ropes.
Stevenson was making his 10th title defence since winning his belt in 2013 by defeating American Chad Dawson.
He was dominated almost from beginning to end by Gvozdyk, who unloaded a barrage of punches that sent the Canadian champion reeling before landing his knockout blow in the 11th.
Gvozdyk, who won an Olympic bronze medal for Ukraine at the London 2012 Games, claimed the belt in his first shot at a major title.