Boxer Writes Emotional Letter After Punch Puts Rival in Coma

'I never meant this to happen to you, all I wanted to do was win'
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Oct 15, 2019 1:24 AM CDT
Boxer in Coma After Knockout in 10th Round
Patrick Day, right, punches Elvin Ayala during the eighth round of a WBC Continental Americas super welterweight championship boxing match Saturday, Oct. 27, 2018, in New York.   (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

A boxer is fighting for his life in a Chicago hospital after being knocked out in the 10th round of a bout at Wintrust Arena on Saturday. Patrick Day's management company says the 27-year-old was in a coma and was in "extremely critical condition" as of Sunday night, the Washington Post reports. Day was knocked out by a left hook from Charles Conwell in the 10th and final round of their super welterweight title bout, reports WGN. It's not clear if Day, who had been knocked down twice earlier in the fight, regained consciousness before he was rushed to the hospital.

Conwell, 21, posted an emotional letter to Day on Instagram, saying he has been praying for him and he keeps replaying the fight in his head, the BBC reports. "I never meant this to happen to you, all I wanted to do was win," he wrote. "If I could take it all back, I would. No-one deserves this to happen to them." He added: "I thought about quitting boxing but I know that's not what you would want." Day's coach, Joe Higgins, thanked Conwell for his kind words. "I too am distraught because I feel responsible but do realize there is no fault," he wrote. "Stay strong and please don't think we blame you." (More boxing stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X