STEPHEN SMITH is, thankfully, sunning himself on holiday this week and not lying in intensive care in a neurological unit. I have no wish to be melodramatic but because of a lapse of judgment by the ringside medical team, Smith's health was put in danger at Liverpool's Olympia Arena last Saturday. He was defending his British and Commonwealth featherweight titles against Welshman Lee Selby in front of his vociferous Scouse fans. And Smith suffered the kind of horrific knockout that has your heart leaping into your mouth in dread. When Selby exploded a left hook on to his chin in the eighth round, he was unconscious before he hit the canvas. Referee Victor Loughlin, realising the boy could have been seriously hurt, did not bother to count but immediately waved the medics into the ring. It is always scary watching and waiting as doctors work to revive a fighter. Mercifully, they managed to bring him round quickly and the dazed Smith, 26, was able to walk unaided to his dressing room. But half an hour later, and after the last bout had ended, there was a dramatic turn of events. Boxer Joe Murray came out of the dressing room area and asked us if we knew where the doctor was. Joe Gallagher, Smith's trainer, told me: "I'd sent Joe for help when Stephen said he felt ill. "He was complaining he felt sick, had a severe headache and had pain in his back, neck and ear." Murray, together with Andy Ayling, one of promoter Frank ******'s senior executives, searched the building but failed to find any of the four doctors on duty as they had all gone home. Ayling said: "I went to see Stephen and, bearing in mind the distinct possibility he had a severe head injury, I dialled 999. "The paramedics arrived very quickly and Stephen was taken to hospital. "After a thorough check-up, he was sent home but does have a fractured rib and a perforated eardrum. "It's unacceptable for doctors to leave any boxing arena before every fighter has left." Ayling has complained to the British Boxing Board of Control, emphasising the obvious dangers at not having a doctor present at all times. The Board's stringent safety measures are admired worldwide. Many were introduced after Michael Watson's severe brain damage, which happened 20 years ago on Wednesday. Unfortunately, there seems to have been a complete breakdown in communication on Merseyside.
It could of turned out to be a life threatening injury for the boxer. The BBBC showing lack of care and duty. I am writing a letter to the board and the promoter who promoted this bout.
shocking seems like the doctor took his money and done a runner,doctor should stick around till the end of the show , hope his name wasn't yusef khan from eastenders i dont trust him.
Good thread. Welcome to ESB. We need all the intelligent posters we can get... we're all dumb as chimps on here :good
Its worrying stuff and rightly needs to be investigated. If Smith or any boxer had collapsed in the dressing room and the doctor was unavailable it would have been a very serious situation.
There are plenty on here who slag Colin. But this is a **** hot piece, and demands questions be asked of the Board. Utterly disgraceful. Who was the Board Steward in charge. He should be sacked. Instantly.
