Leavander Johnson Dies from Brain Injury

Leavander Johnson, 35, has died from injuries sustained during his lightweight title fight with Jesus Chavez. The former IBF champ never emerged from a medically induced coma after undergoing brain surgery less than an hour after his bout with Chavez. Doctors initially expressed cautious optimism after the surgery. However, yesterday, with Johnson in kidney failure and doctors no longer holding out hope for improvement, family members decided to remove him from life support. A fund is being established to help Johnson's wife and four children. Johnson was the fourth fighter this year to suffer a serious brain injury in a boxing match in Las Vegas and the second to die from his injuries. Martin Sanchez died on July 2, a day after being knocked out by Rustam Nugaev. Johnson's death will undoubtedly reignite the debate over whether boxing should be abolished.