For those of you who may not have caught this on ESPN Friday Night Fights or otherwise, this is a must-watch video if you have 10 minutes to spare at some point, detailing the injuries suffered by Magomed Abdusalamov, the investigation into what happened that night and who may or may not be at fault, and the Abdusalamov family's search for some kind of justice.
Abdusalamov was placed in a medically induced coma following his November 2, 2013, loss to Mike Perez, a heavyweight war that aired live on HBO from The Theater at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Abdusalamov, who just turned 33 a few days ago, took an incredible amount of punishment and bravely kept fighting on, lasting all 10 rounds against Perez, and losing a clear decision.
After the fight, Abdusalamov was given a normal look-over by the commission and doctors, but not ordered to be transported to a hospital by ambulance. When blood turned up in his urine, he was urged to go to the hospital, which he had to do via cab.
His family has now filed suit:
The family of brain-damaged Russian heavyweight boxer Magomed Abdusalamov filed a lawsuit Wednesday against multiple parties -- including five New York State Athletic Commission doctors -- alleging recklessness, gross negligence and medical malpractice.
The lawsuit comes nearly five months after Abdusalamov suffered traumatic brain injuries during a 10-round loss to Mike Perez. Other parties named in the lawsuit include the referee, the commission's inspector, Madison Square Garden and K2 Promotions.
... "These doctors screwed up beyond belief," Abdusalamov family attorney Paul Edelstein told "Outside the Lines" on Wednesday. "Not giving him proper postfight medical attention was reckless and egregious; not stopping the fight was negligent."
... "I would have preferred to also sue the athletic commission directly, but I'm not allowed to," Edelstein said. "It is immune [under the legislation that created it], but its employees, including the doctors, are not.
"If responsibility on the part of the commission doctors is found, the state's taxpayers would pay the bill, and that is horrendous."