Report faults NYSAC for ‘policy & personnel failures’ in handling of near-fatal boxing match

On November 2nd, 2013, Dagestani heavyweight boxer Magomed Abdusalamov lost a brutal, punishing unanimous decision to Mike Perez on an HBO-televised co-feature. The effects of the beating were noticeable during the fight, and it nearly cost him his life. Doctors at Manhattan’s Roosevelt Hospital discovered a small blood clot in his brain. Abdusalamov was placed in a medically induced coma, but then suffered a stroke. While Abdusalamov survived, the severe brain injuries he suffered have not only ended his boxing career, but rendered him partially paralyzed and otherwise unable to properly speak or care for himself. Mounting medical bills left Magomed and his family more than $2 million in debt and last year they were in danger of losing their home.

The New York State Athletic Commission’s handling of Abdusalamov’s medical crisis has been under heavy scrutiny, with Magomed’s family filing a lawsuit against the NYSAC in 2014. Earlier this week, New York Office of the Inspector General released a 48-page investigative report that highlights not just the complete mishandling of Abdusalamov’s bout, but widespread corruption, conflicts of interest, ethical violations, incompetence, and numerous other improprieties.

For the purpose of this article, we’re going to emphasize Catherine Leahy Scott’s major findings from the night of November 2nd, which are undoubtedly damning of the athletic commission’s systemic failure to protect its athletes. Below is an excerpt of the report from the document itself.

The investigation revealed that Abdusalamov left the arena after the bout on his own accord at approximately 11:50 p.m. Just outside the arena, however, Abdusalamov vomited. When Abdusalamov became ill, his manager found Abdusalamov’s promoter and together they informed Athletic Commission Chair Melvina Lathan that Abdusalamov needed to be taken to a hospital. Lathan directed them to Chief Medical Officer Barry Jordan. In sworn testimonybefore the Inspector General, Jordan stated that no one impressed upon him that it was an emergency, and he believed Abdusalamov was going to the hospital to have his facial injuries examined. Jordan testified that he advised them to take Abdusalamov to Roosevelt Hospital.

Although there were ambulances at Madison Square Garden available to transport Abdusalamov to the hospital at that time, the Inspector General found that the Athletic Commission lacked a formal tactical emergency plan. Consequently, Athletic Commission staff, the boxers, and their teams were unaware of what steps to take in the event of an emergency after a post-bout examination and in the …

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