TEARS FOR TRAGIC DAY
Hearn in an emotional tribute to American
EDDIE HEARN broke down in tears as he paid tribute to Patrick Day.
The 27-year-old American has become the fourth boxer in four months to die from injuries suffered in the ring.
It followed his 10th-round knockout defeat by Charles Conwell on Saturday.
The light-middleweight, from Freeport, New York, was taken from the ring in Chicago on a stretcher before being placed in an induced coma in hospital, where he died from his brain injuries on Wednesday.
Day’s death follows the loss of Bulgarian featherweight Boris Stanchov last month plus Argentine light-welterweight Hugo Santillan and Russian light-welterweight Maxim Dadashev in July. Hearn, who promoted the show in Chicago, said: “I will never forget him coming over to me before the press conference – he was just so excited to be involved.
“I knew him for 30 seconds and I feel like this about it.
“It’s terrible. You can say it’s boxing but it is hard to justify.
“We need to get together as a community, we need to keep trying to make the sport safer. There are things we can do.
“It’s boxing and it’s very dangerous but we need to make it as safe as possible. There is nobody to blame, it’s just the sport. We have to make sure Patrick’s name lives on.”
Day’s promoter Lou DiBella said: “Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive.
“He was a son, brother and good friend to many. Pat’s kindness, positivity and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression with everyone he met.”
Former world cruiserweight champion Tony Bellew said it was “truly heartbreaking news” while ex-world champion Carl Frampton added: “Another tragic day in our beloved sport. Rest in peace Patrick Day.”