MANILA, Philippines - Australian boxer Davey Browne Jr. is fighting for his life after being knocked out by Filipino fighter Carlo Magali on Friday night in the Sydney suburb of Ingleburn, Australia.
Browne (22-2-1, 8 KOs) was knocked out in the twelfth round in a fight for an International Boxing Federation regional title at RSL Ingleburn Club. The 28-year-old lightweight boxer has been a pro since 2005, with his only prior loss coming at the hands of countryman and former IBF featherweight titleholder Billy Dib in 2009.
Australian National Boxing Federation president John McDougall was in attendance and told the Sydney Morning Herald that scene was “horrific.”
“The Filipino hit him with a crashing punch and he was out cold before he hit the floor,” McDougall said.
Browne reportedly regained consciousness after the knockout but slid off his stool, prompting medics to administer oxygen and bring him to Liverpool Hospital in Sydney.
“Now it’s in the hands of God, unfortunately,” said McDougall.
Sydney Morning Herald reports that Browne may have been motioning to the referee about loose tape on his gloves when he was struck, disobeying the cardinal rule of boxing to protect one’s self at all times.
"It would also have given him a few seconds of rest because he was very tired, but as he took his eyes off him [Magali] hit him with that crashing punch."
The 28-year-old Magali (19-7-3, 10 KOs), who hails from Nonito Donaire Jr’s hometown of Talibon, Bohol, Philippines, is regarded as a high-risk/low-reward opponent who often fights in his opponent’s hometown.
This incident comes just months after Australian boxer Brayd Smith fell into a coma and died after his fight with Filipino fighter John Vincent Moralde in March, prompting calls from the Australian medical community to outlaw the sport. – Rappler.com