Boxer Patrick Day dies at 27

Boxer Patrick Day, who suffered a traumatic brain injury from a violent knockout on Saturday, has died. DiBella Entertainment, Day’s management company, had confirmed the news. The boxer was 27.

Day had previously undergone emergency surgery following his knockout loss three day ago. He stayed down on the canvas for several minutes in the 10th and final round after receiving several punches to the head from his opponent, Charles Conwell. Medics rushed him from the arena on a stretcher and he is reported to have remained unconscious, suffering from seizures. Day remained in a critical condition post surgery.

Lou DiBella, president of DiBella Entertainment, shared the news in a statement on social media.

“Patrick Day didn’t need to box. He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living,” the statement from DiBella Entertainment said. “He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring. Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive.”

Before turning professional, Day was a highly decorated amateur, winning two national titles. He turned pro in 2013 and became a world-rated super welterweight contender, capturing the WBC Continental Americas championship in 2017 and the IBF Intercontinental championship in 2019.

His opponent for the fight, Charles Conwell, shared an open letter on his Instagram on Sunday addressing Patrick Day’s death.

View this post on Instagram

This is my last time speaking on the situation because of this being a sensitive topic not only for his family and friends but for myself and the sport of boxing. Dear Patrick Day, I never meant for this to happen to you. All I ever wanted to do was win. If I could take it all back I would no one deserves for this to happen to them. I replay the fight over and over in my head thinking what if this never happened and why did it happen to you. I can’t stop thinking about it myself I prayed for you so many times and shedded so many tears because I couldn’t even imagine how my family and friends would feel. I see you everywhere I go and all I hear is wonderful things about you. I thought about quitting boxing but I know that’s not what you would want I know that you were a fighter at heart so I decided not to but to fight and win a world title because that’s what you wanted and thats what I want so I’ll use you as motivation every day and make sure I always leave it all in the ring every time. #ChampPatrickDay With Compassion, Charles Conwell

A post shared by Boxings Best Kept Secret ? (@charlesconwell) on Oct 14, 2019 at 3:54pm PDT