Youth
Boxer Fighting for his Life Crown youth boxer Juan Contreras remains in a coma today, five weeks after collapsing following a club show. Contreras, 12, was stopped in the second round of his second amateur fight on March 15 at a Kalamazoo show. He collapsed leaving the ring and was rushed by ambulance to a local hospital before being transferred to a hospital in his hometown of Lansing. Juan has not regained consciousness and published media reports suggest he is unlikely to recover. By at least one account, the fight was low scoring indicating that not a lot of punches were delivered, or connected. How or why the accident occurred is not fully known but the Lansing State Journal reported that doctors say a punch to the head caused a bloodclot to form on the boy’s brain – also called a subdural hematoma. Contreras is a “great kid,” said Coach Ali Easley. “He’s a big puncher who loved being here (at the gym).” Easley said the whole club is devastated by the 7th grader’s injury. Editor’s
Note: Sportssummary will be asking all Michigan boxing clubs over
the next week to begin collecting bottles and cans and other donations
to help the family. Also, to request a moment of silence, or prayer,
before the start of upcoming shows as a display of support for Juan
and his family. |