28-year-old Russian boxer Maxim Dadashev has died after receiving severe brain injuries during his IBF World Title Elimination fight against Subriel Matiasin in the United States on Friday.
Matiasin was comfortably ahead on the scorecards during the bout when Dadashev’s trainer Buddy McGirt stopped the fight in the 11th round after fearing his fighter had taken too much punishment.
McGirt confirmed his death on Tuesday with ESPN reporting that Dadashev had been taken to UM Prince George’s Hospital Center in Cheverly, Maryland, after the fight.
🗣️"God forbid… one punch as you know can change a whole guy's life and I wasn't going to let that happen– so, I'd rather have them be mad at me for a day or two then to be mad at me for the rest of their life." 🙏
-Buddy McGirt on stopping the fight for Maxim Dadashev. pic.twitter.com/RINM4D83ZZ— Jorge Hernández (@JorgeDeBurque) July 20, 2019
“I saw he was getting hit with more and more clean shots as the fight went on and I’m saying to myself is this worth it?” McGirt said in his post-fight interview.
“God forbid, one punch, as you well know could change your guy’s whole life so I wasn’t going to let that happen. I’d rather him be mad at me for a day or two than be mad at me for the rest of their life.”
Another video shows the moment McGirt pleads with Dadashev to throw the towel in and stop the fight with the coach repeatedly telling his fighter that he was taking too many shots.
“He seemed OK, he was ready, but it’s the sport that we’re in. It just takes one punch, man.”
Tributes from the boxing world poured in for Dadashev who is survived by a wife and son.
This fella Maxim Dadashev was a fighter until his last breath, it’s a brutal cruel sport at times, he died aged 28 after suffering severe brain injuries during his defeat to Subriel Matias on Friday. May god rest his soul #RIPChamp pic.twitter.com/YY0ZajAceJ
— Anthony Fowler (@afowler06) July 23, 2019
Saddened to hear about the passing of Maxim Dadashev. Deepest condolences to his friends & family. RIP pic.twitter.com/ytWlO0tnfx
— Carl Frampton MBE (@RealCFrampton) July 23, 2019
This is terrible news – and a bleak reminder to those who never step into a ring and yet feel able to mock and ridicule some fighters. Boxing carries such grave consequences. Our thoughts are with the family of Maxim Dadashev and his opponent, Subriel Matias. https://t.co/y2brFGYsxB
— Donald McRae (@donaldgmcrae) July 23, 2019
With a Saddened Heart I want to send my deepest condolences to the family of Maxim Dadashev who passed away after receiving head trauma in his last fight. Ppl boxing is a tuff sport, we put our lives on the line every single time we step in the ring. RIP my boxing brother 🙏🧡 pic.twitter.com/gLhqzGd5Xw
— Amanda Serrano (@Serranosisters) July 23, 2019
Rest In Peace, Maxim Dadashev. #Boxing is a very unforgiving sport. We can’t make it safe, but we can make it safer. We can also rally to economically help his wife and son. We must take care of our own. This is heartbreaking news.
— Lou DiBella🥊 (@loudibella) July 23, 2019
