Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

johnswan1
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 3348
Joined: 27 Feb 2005, 18:03

Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by johnswan1 »

Maybe the timing of this question isn't great, but just wondering, is there something that says a fighter can't get licensed to fight again if he has suffered a significant brain injury in the past in the ring (as opposed to outside of the ring in an accident etc.), or would he be assessed the same as any other fighter looking to get a license renewed? Are there any examples of any pro fighters who have done this?

I know Valero had trouble getting licensed in the States for years due to an apparent brain injury he suffered in a motorbike or car accident, and you get guys like James Toney who appear to have sustained steady brain damage, but are there examples of any fighters who came back to fight again having suffered and fully recovered from a brain injury?

Spencer Oliver is somebody that comes to mind that suffered such an injury yet doesn't seem to have any obvious symptoms, at least not any that can be obviously identified from his work on TV as an analyst.
Stuarty
Middleweight
Posts: 27293
Joined: 20 Aug 2014, 10:28

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Stuarty »

Did MA Barrera and Wayne McCullough not fight on after some complications?
Old bones Ian
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 11808
Joined: 13 Jul 2004, 07:33

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Old bones Ian »

I think Irish guy Lowrey boxed in America after losing license here.
stujones
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 27513
Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 15:08

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by stujones »

Barry Jones another, I'm not sure whether McCullough and Jones' cases happened through boxing. Don't forget Scanning equipment greatly improved during their careers - it might have been there always (indeed, I am sure thats what both claim).
Rexob
Middleweight
Posts: 6025
Joined: 20 Mar 2014, 15:17

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Rexob »

Stuarty30 wrote:Did MA Barrera and Wayne McCullough not fight on after some complications?
Barrera has got a metal plate in his head.
Stuarty
Middleweight
Posts: 27293
Joined: 20 Aug 2014, 10:28

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Stuarty »

Rexob wrote:
Stuarty30 wrote:Did MA Barrera and Wayne McCullough not fight on after some complications?
Barrera has got a metal plate in his head.
That's right did they not have to remove something then cover it with a titanium plate? I remember it being mentioned before he came over here to fight Khan. Some thought he would have trouble obtaining a licence here.
Cazelo
Welterweight
Posts: 209
Joined: 09 Oct 2015, 13:01

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Cazelo »

Interesting thread, was wondering about this the other day. Someone like Blackwell right now or Kieran Farrell - do they have to go through normal medical examinations and judged on that or due to the unfortunate incidents is it a no regardless?
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45238
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

Cazelo wrote:Interesting thread, was wondering about this the other day. Someone like Blackwell right now or Kieran Farrell - do they have to go through normal medical examinations and judged on that or due to the unfortunate incidents is it a no regardless?
Unless I'm mistaken, the BBBofC won't license anybody to fight in the UK, who has had a brain bleed, and rightly so.
Stuarty
Middleweight
Posts: 27293
Joined: 20 Aug 2014, 10:28

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Stuarty »

littlepug wrote:Edwin Valero
Is that what sent him scatty? Or was he just born a naughty bastard?
Cazelo
Welterweight
Posts: 209
Joined: 09 Oct 2015, 13:01

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Cazelo »

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Cazelo wrote:Interesting thread, was wondering about this the other day. Someone like Blackwell right now or Kieran Farrell - do they have to go through normal medical examinations and judged on that or due to the unfortunate incidents is it a no regardless?
Unless I'm mistaken, the BBBofC won't license anybody to fight in the UK, who has had a brain bleed, and rightly so.
Is that something that would show up on a scan? Eg if someone had a brain bleed from a car crash prior to applying for their license
Stuarty
Middleweight
Posts: 27293
Joined: 20 Aug 2014, 10:28

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Stuarty »

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Cazelo wrote:Interesting thread, was wondering about this the other day. Someone like Blackwell right now or Kieran Farrell - do they have to go through normal medical examinations and judged on that or due to the unfortunate incidents is it a no regardless?
Unless I'm mistaken, the BBBofC won't license anybody to fight in the UK, who has had a brain bleed, and rightly so.
There's always Malta. They'd probably let you fight with no limbs like the black knight in the holy grail! 'You're alright it's just a flesh wound'
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45238
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

Cazelo wrote:
jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Cazelo wrote:Interesting thread, was wondering about this the other day. Someone like Blackwell right now or Kieran Farrell - do they have to go through normal medical examinations and judged on that or due to the unfortunate incidents is it a no regardless?
Unless I'm mistaken, the BBBofC won't license anybody to fight in the UK, who has had a brain bleed, and rightly so.
Is that something that would show up on a scan? Eg if someone had a brain bleed from a car crash prior to applying for their license
It would be on their medical record.
PredatorHayds
Super Welterweight
Posts: 4891
Joined: 08 Jul 2015, 08:23

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by PredatorHayds »

British boxing board of control wouldn't allow it.

Be interesting to see the view of the Malta commission.

I'd prefer to edge on the side of caution but if you were desperate to fight again I'm sure there's a governing body somewhere that would sanction you.
rhino222
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 6618
Joined: 09 Sep 2005, 09:38

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by rhino222 »

Stuarty30 wrote:Did MA Barrera and Wayne McCullough not fight on after some complications?
i think thats on his jaw or zygoma
littlepug
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 5351
Joined: 03 Jul 2012, 07:17

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by littlepug »

Stuarty30 wrote:
littlepug wrote:Edwin Valero
Is that what sent him scatty? Or was he just born a naughty bastard?
who knows ? think he came off a motorbike without a helmet and ended up with a metal plate in his head which is why most places wouldn't licence him
Manchester Massive
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 371
Joined: 29 May 2008, 18:34

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Manchester Massive »

Joe Mesi, I'm pretty sure fought after being diagnosed as having 2 separate brain bleeds
jamesmcdonnell
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 45238
Joined: 12 Nov 2003, 06:11

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by jamesmcdonnell »

Manchester Massive wrote:Joe Mesi, I'm pretty sure fought after being diagnosed as having 2 separate brain bleeds
Wasn't he forced to retire?
stujones
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 27513
Joined: 29 Aug 2003, 15:08

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by stujones »

Joe Messi - I think he did fight after he was diagnosed with a brain bleed. However, he did contest the results of the scan.
Manchester Massive
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 371
Joined: 29 May 2008, 18:34

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Manchester Massive »

jamesmcdonnell wrote:
Manchester Massive wrote:Joe Mesi, I'm pretty sure fought after being diagnosed as having 2 separate brain bleeds
Wasn't he forced to retire?
not sure but looking it up, it was the Jirov fight where he suffered the suspected bleed and he had a good few fights after that
crusader
Heavyweight
Heavyweight
Posts: 16875
Joined: 19 Jan 2009, 20:14

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by crusader »

Not sure on the specifics of the injury, but Francisco Leal collapsed and was taken to a hospital after being stopped in 10 by Evgeny Gradovich. He eventually continued his career, had 5 more fights, and passed away due to injuries suffered in the ring against Raul Hilares.
Sklar
Middleweight
Posts: 5680
Joined: 21 Sep 2013, 09:06

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Sklar »

What did Blackwell do before he started fighting?
palooka
Light Heavyweight
Posts: 15698
Joined: 20 Jan 2012, 15:31

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by palooka »

Did former top amateur Ian Weaver have an issue with a brain scan?
Cholo_cws
Cruiserweight
Posts: 1904
Joined: 27 Apr 2011, 16:19

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Cholo_cws »

There was the Filipino guy that Katsidis fought several years ago. Can't recall his name. Csar something I think.
Stuarty
Middleweight
Posts: 27293
Joined: 20 Aug 2014, 10:28

Re: Are there any examples of a pro returning to the ring after a brain injury incurred in the ring?

Post by Stuarty »

Sklar wrote:What did Blackwell do before he started fighting?
Was he not on the unlicensed circuit for a while? Don't know if it was bare knuckle or that. Something rings a bell but can't remember the specifics.
Post Reply