American boxer, Day dies after brain injury

American boxer Patrick Day has died, aged 27, four days after suffering a brain injury in his fight against Charles Conwell in Chicago.

Day was rushed to hospital on Saturday after he was knocked out by Conwell in the 10th round on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk’s fight with Chazz Witherspoon.

He was treated by a doctor in the ring and then stretchered by paramedics as the New York fighter was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

After having brain surgery, Day was in an extremely critical condition for the next few days before his death was confirmed on Wednesday.

There was an outpouring of grief throughout the tight-knit boxing fraternity and everyone at Sky Sports Boxing has expressed their deepest condolences.

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Promoter Lou DiBella said in a statement: “He was surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team, including his mentor, friend and trainer Joe Higgins. On behalf of Patrick’s family, team, and those closest to him, we are grateful for the prayers, expressions of support and outpouring of love for Pat that have been so obvious since his injury.

“Patrick Day didn’t need to box. He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living. He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring. Boxing is what Pat loved to do.

“It becomes very difficult to explain away or justify the dangers of boxing at a time like this. This is not a time where edicts or pronouncements are appropriate, or the answers are readily available.

“It is, however, a time for a call to action. While we don’t have the answers, we certainly know many of the questions, have the means to answer them, and have the opportunity to respond responsibly and accordingly and make boxing safer for all who participate. This is a way we can honour the legacy of Pat Day.”