Joseph George is in a ‘stable condition’ in hospital after collapsing between rounds during a light heavyweight bout with Atif Oberlton.
On Sunday night, George and Oberlton took to the ring as the co-main event to Claressa Shields‘ eagerly anticipated rematch with Franchon Crews-Dezurn in Detroit.
Oberlton edged the first round of the fight, but things took a drastic turn as the two fighters returned to their corners before the start of the second.
Moments after taking to his stool, George collapsed to the floor, before lying motionless as his team panicked. The cameras were forced to cut away before medics attended to the fighter.
Replays show that late in the first round, the two boxers clashed heads, with George coming away dazed and shaken. It appears this was the reason for his sudden fall to the canvas.
The 36-year-old made it back to his feet following medical attention and was taken to a Detroit hospital to be monitored. Oberlton was then awarded the victory by technical knockout, extending his unbeaten record to 15 wins.
Joseph George had to be rushed to hospital after collapsing during his fight with Atif Oberlton
Hylon Williams, George’s trainer, has since confirmed that the fighter is ‘undergoing an MRI’ and is ‘in stable condition at a Detroit hospital’.
Oberlton confirmed that he did get the chance to speak to George as he was escorted out of the ring, but he was ‘a bit confused’.
‘I’m so glad that he got up on his feet and that he’s OK,’ said Oberlton. ‘I’m a true champion, true warrior. We can do whatever you want to do it, but I’m just happy that he’s OK.
‘I just wanted to make sure he was safe. At the end of the day, we’re warriors, but we want to leave here the same way we come out.’
Later in the night, Shields defended her undisputed heavyweight championship in dominant fashion, dispatching Crews-Dezurn by unanimous decision.
The 30-year-old American won 100-90 on all three judges’ scorecards and remains unbeaten in her professional career, with a record of 18 wins.