Promising Russian Boxer Dadashev Dies Tuesday from Injuries Sustained in Friday Bout at MGM National Harbor

Posted on: July 23, 2019, 05:12h. 

Last updated on: July 23, 2019, 05:15h.

Steve Bittenbender Read More
Expertise: Legislation, Sports Betting, Horse Racing.

Boxer Maxim Dadashev died Tuesday from injuries sustained during a fight Friday at a Maryland casino. He was 28.

Maxim Dadashev, seen here after beating Darleys Perez in a June 2018 bout in Las Vegas, died Tuesday in a Maryland hospital from injuries he suffered in a bout Friday at the MGM National Harbor. (Image: Top Rank Boxing)

Top Rank Boxing, the Russian fighter’s promoter, confirmed he passed away Tuesday morning. “Maxim was a talented fighter inside the ring and a loving husband and father outside the ropes,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.”

On Friday night, Dadashev took part in a fight card at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Md., just outside Washington, DC. He fought Subriel Matias in a junior welterweight bout billed by TopRank as an International Boxing Federation world title eliminator, with the winner earning the right to become the mandatory challenger for titleholder Josh Taylor.

Both fighters entered the scheduled 12-round contest with 13-0 records. Matias won all of his matches by knockout, and Dadashev took 11 of his in such fashion. The IBF ranked Dadashev as the No. 3 fighter in the super lightweight, and the World Boxing Council rated him fourth in the class.

Matias took command of the fight early and ended up winning by a technical knockout when Dadashev’s trainer, Buddy McGirt stopped the fight – despite Dadashev’s protests – before the final round. According to the Washington Post, Dadashev collapsed outside the ring. He then lost consciousness in the ambulance.

“I just think that he took a lot of shots, totally dehydrated,” McGirt, a former boxer himself, told the Post after the fight. “I believe he needs [intravenous fluids]. He took a lot of shots, and every time I gave him water, he kept spitting it out. Those were 11 tough rounds, so I just pray that he’s okay.”

Leaves Wife, Son

Dadashev was taken to the University of Maryland’s Prince George’s Hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery for bleeding and swelling of the brain. He was also placed in a medically induced coma.

His wife flew from Russia to be by his side. He is also survived by his son.

He was a very kind person who fought until the very end,” said his wife, Elizaveta Apushkina, in a statement provided by the hospital. “Our son will continue to be raised to be a great man like his father. Lastly, I would like to thank everyone that cared for Maxim during his final days. I ask that everyone please respect our privacy during this very difficult time.”

Numerous boxers posted their condolences and thoughts of their colleague on social media throughout the day.

Egis Klimas, his manager, posted a tribute to Dadashev on Instagram, next to a picture of him with his wife and son.

“He always will be in our hearts and memory as strong very discipline, very dedicated, true Champion,” Klimas posted. “He lived with one dream, to become a Champion!!! In my opinion he still and always will be one! Hey Max just stay there and wait for us. R. I. P.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/B0RZW8bJqv8/

Violent Sport

Given the brutal, violent nature of boxing, serious injuries or death can happen anytime two fighters step into the ring. No recent studies are readily available, but the Manual Velazquez Collection reported more than 1,600 deaths occurred in the sport from 1890 to 2011.

Tim Bradley Jr., a former boxer who served as an analyst for Friday’s fight card for ESPN+, said in an interview with FightHype.com afterward that boxers never come out of the match the same way they entered it.

He also criticized trainers who tell their fighters to take punches.

“The game is hit and don’t get hit, and don’t let nobody tell you any different,” he said. “If you’re in the gym and your trainer is telling you to take punches. Take punches to get one off… You need to leave that gym ASAP. Leave that gym ASAP because that’s exactly what happened tonight. Dadashev took punishment over the course of (11) rounds and now his life is on the line.”