Burgos Remains in Coma
Referee Jon Schorle and ringside doctor Dr. Paul Wallace are receiving criticism - as they should - for not stopping the fight earlier as it was clear Burgos had no shot of winning. However, while there is plenty of blame to go around, it is Burgos' own corner that should have taken decisive action to save their fighter from taking unnecessary punishment. A fighter's corner needs to be more objective than the fighter himself and make sure they have his long-term best interests in mind -- even in a title fight where they are so motivated - both for their fighter AND for themselves - to do everything possible to win.
No additional information is available at this time but these stories rarely - if ever - have a happy ending ... perhaps this one will be the exception to the rule.
UPDATE: Encouraging news! Burgos remains in intensive care but reports indicate he has come out of the medically-induced coma and is responding to verbal commands given by doctors at UCLA Medical Center. Doctors described this news as "very positive".
Comments
Burgos was getting rocked as early as the first round. I watched it on tape and had to skip rounds due to the brutality of the beating Burgos was receiving.
Anytime a fighter looses consciousness as a result of a prolonged beating — three or more rounds in which he is clearly being punished, particularly with head shots — the referee, the promotor and the fighter’s corner team should all be substantially fined and have their licenses revoked. I still remember clearly the Gerald McClellan-Nigel Benn fight in which Benn was hitting McClellan behind the head for most of the fight. Nothing happened to those who were responsible for alowing the situation to persist which resulted in McClellan’s injuries. Protecting the fighters should be a legal as well as a moral responsibility. When there is negligence, there should be consequences.
Everyone who did not stop the fight, who could have should be embarrased and ashamed of themselves. It was so CLEAR Burgos Jr. did not have a chance! I hope he recovers and his corner staff FIRED!!