LAS VEGAS - Former IBF lightweight champion Leavander
Johnson was in critical condition Saturday night after
collapsing following a loss to Jesus Chavez at MGM Grand.
Johnson was hit hard throughout the title fight, which
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.
"Mr. Johnson suffered an event after the fight and doctors and
paramedics went to the dressing room immediately," said Dr. Tony
Alamo of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. "One of our
doctors, Dr. Albert Capanna, neurosurgeon, accompanied Mr.
Johnson by ambulance to UMC Trauma Center. He was diagnosed
with a subdural hematoma and underwent surgery."
Alamo backed Weeks' decision to stop the fight when he did.
"We feel that referee Tony Weeks did a great job and we support
his stoppage at the time," Alamo said.
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.