After losing the world title to Lawrence Okolie, New Zealand boxer David Light experienced a mild stroke and had surgery to remove a blood clot, according to his coach.
The World Boxing Organisation cruiserweight championship bout between the 31-year-old Light and Britain’s Okolie ended in a unanimous decision in Manchester in late March.
The New Zealander felt sick after returning from his trip but had no symptoms when he flew home, according to his coach Isaac Peach.
Silver medalist Light from the 2014 Commonwealth Games was admitted on April 17 to a hospital in Auckland, where doctors performed a blood clot removal procedure.
He is recovering in hospital but Peach would not be drawn on whether Light will fight again.
“That’s for David to answer, not me,” said Peach.
In a statement put out by his promoter, Light said his focus was now on recovery.
“This is like another fight camp for me, I’ve got to train hard, rehab and work on getting better,” said Light.
Defeat to holder Okolie for the world title was the first loss of Light’s career.
Peach said it had been “devastating” to see his fighter fall ill.
“It’s horrible. It’s really hard for all of us to see him like that,” Peach said.