Injury to the delicate tissue of the brain has caused a large blood clot to form, putting pressure on the brain surface. Although surgeons acted promptly to operate and remove the clot, it will be days before neurologists know whether he will survive, and how much permanent damage has been done. But medical advisers to the sport's controlling bodies say that with the proper precautions, it need not pose too high a risk. While boxing accounts for fewer deaths than many other sports, the BMA says this is insignificant compared to the effects of brain damage that may go unrecorded in many boxers. Cuts and bruises are the most common boxing injuries, and many boxers leave the ring needing stitches to the face and dental work.
Body blows can lead to broken ribs and internal bleeding.
But, as boxing involves powerful people hitting each other repeatedly, often around the head, there are other risks - most serious of all being permanent severe brain damage. While other injuries repair relatively easily, brain tissue, once damaged, remains damaged. But he is suffering from Parkinson's Disease and there is only circumstantial evidence to suggest it was brought on by his boxing career. Catastrophically, meaning it follows an injury sustained in a single bout. Dr Bill O'Neill, the BMA's spokesman on boxing, said less serious external injuries could illustrate the impact of unseen damage within the skull.