All boxers have to prepare themselves for the possibility of getting knocked out cold during their bout. It's a part of the sport and there is nothing really they can do about it. Sometimes, things might go too far as was the case in a recent featherweight bout between Daniel Franco and Jose Haro at the WinnaVegas Casino in Sloan, Iowa.
The two were fighting in the main event and Franco took a lot of hard right hands throughout the fight and finally in the eighth round, the Californian could not take any more. Haro landed yet another clean overhand right that knocked Franco down.
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While he managed to beat the count and get back to his feet, Haro landed another right hand, this time near Franco's temple, and he went down hard, face first into the floor. Referee Celestino Ruiz immediately waved off the fight without a count at 2 minutes 43 seconds.
At that point, it didn't look so serious that he might need surgery as Franco managed to get onto a stool in the ring, where he received medical attention. He also seemed alert and knew what was happening around him when the result was announced. But eventually, he laid back down on the mat and was taken out of the ring on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital.
Reports say that Franco underwent an emergency surgery to stop two brain bleeds he suffered during the bout. Franco's father and trainer, Al Franco, revealed that his son was being placed in a medically induced coma.
"Ok everyone, Daniel suffered head trauma in his fight in Iowa and he had to have emergency surgery. He had two small veins that were bleeding and the doctors were able to take care of them. They had to open up his skull to relieve the pressure and repair the veins," boxing scene quoted Al Franco as saying.
Al Franco further said: "He is in a medically induced coma and we will have more information as soon as possible. This go fund me account is needed to help with current and future expenses. We do not have any idea of what we are looking at financially so we are only asking for a small amount. Please share this as much as possible. He will be here at best case scenario weeks or months before he will be able to be moved back to California. We have a lot to prepare for mentally and unfortunately financially. Thank you all and please keep him in your prayers."
Franco's manager said that the next 48 hours will be critical in regards to him making a complete recovery and asked the whole boxing community to pray for him.
The go fund me page set up by Franco's father has already received around $12,298 way more than the initial target of just $1,000. Click here if you would like to donate.
