19-Year-Old Boxer Dies After Collapsing In First Professional Fight
19-year-old Michigan-based boxer Hamzah Aljahmi died on Tuesday, December 22nd, after collapsing during his first professional fight, which took place the previous Saturday against another pro newcomer, Anthony Taylor.
Aljahmi was knocked down three times during his first round, but he pulled it together to win during the the second and third rounds. Later; however, Aljahmi collapsed and was taken to a Youngstown, Ohio hospital to undergo brain surgery.
While fourth round video shows Taylor backing Aljahmi into a corner and repeatedly striking him, that's nothing new in the sport of boxing. Taylor initially celebrated his victory and retreated to a corner, where it became clear something was very wrong. As attendants rushed to check on Aljahmi, someone in the crowd can be heard shouting, "He's dead. He don't want to get back up."
Following the incident, Aljahmi fell into a coma, and Taylor was quick to visit him in the hospital and speak with his family. After Aljahmi passed away, he also took to Facebook, posting, "I never wanted any of this stuff to happen u will always be in my heart RIP."
Aljahmi's family continue to mourn his death, with his cousin, Ibrahim Aljahmi saying, "He was very generous, loved everyone. He cared about the whole family... His goal in life was to be the future Muhammad Ali. He loved boxing."
Our condolences go out to his family during this difficult time.
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(Photo: Dave Thompson/Getty Images)
