LAS VEGAS - Former IBF lightweight champion Leavander
Johnson remained in critical condition Monday after undergoing
surgery for a brain injury.
A hospital spokeswoman for University Medical Center confirmed
to SportsTicker that Johnson is in the intensive care unit. He
was placed in a medically induced coma following surgery
Saturday night.
Johnson was hit hard throughout Saturday night's title fight
against Jesus Chavez at the MGM Grand before the bout mercifully
was stopped 38 seconds into the 11th round by referee Tony
Weeks.
Chavez opened the 11th by landing a steady stream of blows - all
to the head - that kept a dazed Johnson pinned to the ropes.
The 35-year-old Johnson collapsed later in his dressing room and
was rushed to University Medical Center, where he underwent
surgery for bleeding on the brain.
Johnson won his title in June with a seventh-round TKO of
Stefano Zoff in Italy. He was making his first defense of the
crown and fighting in Las Vegas for the first time since 1996.