A Thought Following the Tragic Death of Patrick Day

A Thought Following the Death of Patrick Day

By Will Lott

So far 2019 has been a tough year for boxing. Despite fairy tale stories such as Andy Ruiz’s upset knockout victory over Anthony Joshua, the sport has had to endure the tragic deaths of four boxers as a result of injuries suffered in the ring. The most recent being Patrick Day, a 27 year old super welterweight. This follows on from the deaths of Maxim Dadashev, Hugo Santillan and Boris Stanchov.

When tragedies such as this occur, it is common to see people suggesting new ways to make the sport safer or to even ban the sport. The boxing community is strong. Fighters rally behind one another and the fans send out their condolences.

As fans, I’d go so far as to say the majority of us have never felt the danger of stepping inside the ring and fighting. To us, boxers are fearless and in some ways what we wish to be.

It’s true when we watch a fight, we want to see the best fight the best and a lot of fans want to see blood and spectacular knockouts. We want to see a barn burner. That is until we see the truly damaging effects the sport has on our heroes.

Last Saturday, on the undercard of Oleksandr Usyk vs Chazz Witherspoon, we saw just how dangerous the sport is. We saw Patrick Day, a talented super welterweight, battle on for nearly ten gruelling rounds against Charles Conway before being knocked out cold in the final round.

We saw his limp body fall and his head rebound off the floor. Sadly, it has now been confirmed, Day lost his life as a direct effect of that horrendous knockout.

We all know the dangers of the sport, but don’t always acknowledge it. Why would we? We aren’t the ones fighting. However, the danger is always there. Every fighter, no matter how elite they are, is just one punch away from losing their life or suffering a life changing injury.

Yet fans continue to berate boxers. This is something I think all fans should reconsider. Especially in the wake of such tragedies. I can guarantee a number of those fans who posted their condolences to Patrick Day and his family, will have at some point abused a boxer, accusing them of ducking someone or alleging they quit at some point.

My question to those fans is, what do they owe you? A boxer’s job is to fight. They accept the risks but they don’t owe the fans much. They don’t owe us blood and knockouts. They don’t owe us brain injuries and broken bones.

All they owe us is their effort. If on the night, that isn’t good enough, there is no shame in ‘living to fight another day.’ Quitting for me should be a term banished from the sport of boxing.

Deaths in boxing will always occur. It’s a sad fact of life. The fearlessness boxers have, the power they carry and the damage they can take means deaths are always a possibility. But they do not have to be this frequent.

The likes of Maxim Dadashev lost his life because he refused to ‘quit’. He refused to give in until his trainer, Buddy McGirt decided his fighter couldn’t take anymore. Sadly he pulled him from the fight too late. It’s no one’s fault but McGirt will probably carry that guilt for the rest of his life.

That is all the fans should expect. Fighters for me should always have the mind-set to want to fight another day. Yes boxers want to put on a show for the fans, they want to build a fan base and they want to make as much money as they can during their life in boxing. But there is also a life outside of boxing which they need to make sure they are there to enjoy.

Day’s trainer, Joe Higgins has confirmed he will never train another fighter again. In a text to ESPN, he said

“I feel like I’m responsible, like I let him down. My special kid…. I’m never training another kid. I’m never going to put another kid in danger of a punch. Ever.”

This is a quote that should live long in the memories of the fans. This is the effect the sport can have.

Boxing saves more lives than it takes but sadly it will always take lives. That’s why we should always enjoy the sport and enjoy following the careers of our heroes. We will always want to see knockouts and fighters showing great heart. That shouldn’t change. The only thing that should is our attitude towards the fighters. Respect their bravery, respect their effort and respect their talents.

Boxing will always produce inspiring stories of fighters than came from nothing to rise to the top. But we must remember, for every fairy tale there will always be a sobering story of a life lost or a life changed forever.

Thankfully, the fairy tales will always outnumber the tragedies. This article is a plea for fans, to show boxers the respect they deserve and the boxers to give their effort but please not your life.

To those boxers that have lost their lives as a result of the sport, not just this year but throughout history, you’re legacies live on. We will not forget you. Rest up champs.