Brave Gary could have fought his last fight
Welterweight’s family keep vigil after ‘potentially life-altering’ head injury
A SCOTS boxer was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury after losing a title fight.
Coatbridge welterweight Gary Murray’s encounter with fellow professional Patrick Gallagher was stopped in the final round of the 10-round bout.
Promoters MTK Scotland said the 30-year-old is in “a stable condition” in hospital with his family keeping a vigil.
Crowd members reportedly screamed for the fight at Edinburgh’s Meadowbank Sports Centre on Friday night to be stopped as Gary endured a number of punches while unable to defend himself.
After being knocked down, he reportedly hit his head heavily on the canvas and lay on the ground not moving.
It is understood oxygen was taken to the ring and he managed to get to his feet before being taken to hospital.
According to World Boxing News, the fighter is thought to be in “a potentially life-altering situation which has ultimately brought about the end of Murray’s boxing career”.
Their report added he is now “fighting for a future outside the ring”.
MTK Scotland said: “Gary was taken to hospital following his 10-round contest on Friday night. The doctors discovered an injury which required immediate attention.
“Gary remains in hospital with his family. He is in a stable condition.
“We ask that everyone keeps Gary in their thoughts at this time. Our thoughts are with Gary and his family.”
Murray and Gallagher, 28, had been fighting for the Celtic welterweight title. It was his 13th professional fight and his first defeat.
Fellow boxer Danny Cassius Connor tweeted yesterday: “Everyone put your hands together, get on your knees and pray for Gary Murray.”
Gordon Turnbull wrote: “Boxed on a couple of shows with Gary a few years ago. Could not meet a nicer bloke.” A report of the fight on Irishboxing.com described how “brave” Gary suffered “extremely heavy salvos” in the sixth round.
The boxer, whose nickname is The Mint, only took up the sport properly at 23.
Outside the ring, he has worked for construction giants Balfour Beatty and as an overhead lineman with Scottish-Power.