By Rich Mancuso/ Sports Editor
There is no doubt that boxing is a brutal sport. Fighters take a risk each and every time they lace up the gloves and step in the ring. Sadly, the boxing community is in mourning once again as 28-year old junior welterweight Maxim Dadashev passed away Tuesday morning from brain injuries.
His bout with Subriel Matias on Friday night, seen on the ESPN + App and promoted by Top Rank was stopped in the 11th round after Hall of Fame trainer Buddy McGirt saw that his fighter was taking too many punches.
McGirt pleaded. He wanted his fighter to discontinue. Fighters, as they always do will never succumb to a fight being stopped. But McGirt, and to his credit, called for the stoppage of the title eliminator bout that was held at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill Maryland.
Dadashev finally gave in to his trainer and later was transported to a nearby hospital in Cheverly Maryland. He underwent emergency brain surgery and passed away Tuesday morning.
Dadashev (13-1, 11 KO’s) from Saint Petersburg, Russia was married and father to a son and was applying for US citizenship. He wanted to be a champion and make his home in America. The tragedy has hit home and leads to questions again about safety measures for the sport.
But boxing has made many strides with safety. Fighters are required to have mandatory brain scans on the amateur and professional level and many times the costly test are paid off their purse.
There were no signs of previous brain injuries in this instance. Though, Dadashev, as was seen, took many punches and doctors at ringside who are required to be there were monitoring the situation.
McGirt saw his fighter could not continue. He is a hero in stopping the fight, though the referee was about to put an end to it.
Over the years,the safety issue is still a concern. Last year, light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson sustained a brain hemorrhage in a loss to Oleksandr Gvozdyk and underwent surgery. Thankfully, Stevenson, 41 years old, has recovered but has not been able to resume a normal life.
And there have been too many instance s of fighters sustaining injuries to the brain, many not reported from events outside the United States in lower level boxing shows.
Though sanctioning organizations of the WBC, WBA, IBF, WBO, and most of the state athletic ruling bodies are strict with brain scans and medicals. Prior for a fighter to be in the ring they must clear medicals but the sport without a argument is dangerous.
And fighters are aware of the risks and danger. After the Stevenson fight, there were more findings as to placing an age limit for a fighter to compete ,and it has showed that a 40-year old is more susceptible to brain damage after taking numerous punches to the head.
Top Rank and Hall of Fame Promoter Bob Arum issued the following statement:
“Top Rank is devastated to report that Maxim Dadashev passed away earlier this morning due to injuries sustained during last Friday’s bout. Maxim was a talented fighter inside the ring and a loving husband and father outside the ropes. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”
Said Top Rank Chairman Bob Arum: “Maxim was a terrific young man. We are all saddened and affected by his untimely death.”
So the critics will once again ask for the sport to be banned. That will not occur. There is too much at stake but most of all safety is a priority with the promoters and managers.
It’s another unfortunate tragedy for the sport. A risk they take once they get in the ring but for Maxim much too young with all that potential and sacrificing for his family.
Rest In Peace Champ.
Comment: Ring786@aol.com
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