Former WBC light heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson is in a Quebec City hospital in what his promoter, Yvon Michel, said is critical condition after being stopped in the 11th round of a title fight by Oleksandr Gvozdyk on Saturday.
Stevenson was taken from the ring on a stretcher. Michel, his long-time promoter, tweeted in French that Stevenson is in intensive care in critical condition as a result of injuries he sustained in the fight.
Gvozdyk stopped Stevenson at 2:49 of the 11th with a multi-punch combination that sent the 41-year-old to the canvas.
Michel’s statement read:
“The family of Adonis Stevenson and the leaders of Group Yvon Michel are currently with Adonis Stevenson. They wish to inform friends and supporters that Adonis is currently in critical condition in intensive care following his fight against Oleksandr Gvozdyk. They appreciate the concern and support of all. There will be no other comments for the moment and they respectfully ask for your understanding in their desire for privacy.”
Stevenson was leading on two of the three judges’ scorecards and was even on the third after the 10th. But Gvozdyk appeared to be the fresher fighter and landed a series of hard right hands to the head that Stevenson was unable to block.
Stevenson seemed out on his feet as Gvozdyk fired right hands at him, and referee Michael Griffin stopped it as Stevenson went down.
Stevenson, who was boxing’s longest-reigning champion after having won the belt from Chad Dawson on June 8, 2013, lost for the first time since being stopped by Darnell Boone in the second round on April 16, 2010. He is 29-2-1 with 24 knockouts.
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