Daniel Franco, a California boxer, is in a coma after sustaining serious trauma to the head in a knockout loss against featherweight Jose Haro.
The incident took place on Saturday night in Sloan, Iowa. Reporting on the tournament that was held at WinnaVegas Casino and Resort, the Los Angeles Times recounted how Haro brought Franco down with a right-handed punch in the eighth round. The 25-year-old boxer was taken from the ring on a stretcher and rushed to hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to stop bleeding in the brain.
Images, which shows how the fight unfolded, appeared on Boxingscene.com.
Franco, who earned himself the nickname ‘Twitch’ in the boxing community, began his athletic career at age 8 and made his professional debut on Dec. 18, 2010, at Club 401 in Ontario, California.
His biography on Throne Boxing shows an impressive career with numerous accolades. The athlete managed to remain unbeaten for several years and attracted attention to his boxing from a young age.
Messages of support have been pouring in since news about Franco’s coma broke. Many fans have extended well wishes to the athlete, his friends and family, with words of hope.
“All the best to Daniel Franco and his family during this tough time for them!!! Boxing can be a beautiful sport but the brutality is real!” tweeted @HRamirezBoxing.
A GoFundMe page has been set up by family and close friends, to help raise money to cover medical costs.
“This go fund me account is needed to help with current and future expenses,” the GoFundMe page said. “We do not have any idea of what we are looking at financially so we are only asking for a small amount.”
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