Champion boxer Davey Browne on life support
The Sydney Morning Herald
Daniel Lane
September 12,2015
Jack Brubaker (right) and Davey Browne spar at Ryan Waters' new gym. Photo: Chrisopher Lane CLA
Boxer Davey Browne, a father of two from Sydney's south-west described as being on track to claim a world title, was "in the biggest fight of his life" after being placed on a life support machine following a bout on Friday night.
The 28-year-old was said to have been winning before being knocked cold by Carlo Magali of the Philippines in the last round of an International Boxing Federation regional title that would have catapulted him into the world rankings.
John McDougall, the president of the Australian National Boxing Federation described the scene he witnessed at the Ingleburn RSL as "horrific".
Davey Browne was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition after being knocked unconscious during a charity boxing match at Ingleburn RSL. Photo: Gary Dring/TNV
"He dropped right in front of me, I could've reached out and touched him," Mr McDougall said. "The Filipino hit him with a crashing punch and he was out cold before he hit the floor."
He appeared to regain consciousness and was put on the stool in the neutral corner, but suddenly slid off the chair and lapsed into unconsciousness.
"The doctor gave him oxygen and an ambulance was there in seconds. Now it's in the hands of God, unfortunately," Mr McDougall said.
The official said he believed Browne was punched when he momentarily took his eyes off his opponent to draw the referee's attention to loose tape on his gloves. The referee would normally bring the bout to a temporary halt in such a situation so the tape could be secured.
"He appeared to look down at the tape, probably with the thought the referee might stop the contest to allow for the tape to be fixed," he said.
"It would also have given him a few seconds of rest because he was very tired, but as he took his eyes off him [Magali] hit him with that crashing punch."
It's understood Browne was also struck with a heavy blow in the previous round but he responded to the referee's question whether he was fine to continue.
While Browne's family promoted Friday night's bout, Melbourne-based promoter Brian Amatruda, who'd negotiated for Browne to fight on Anthony Mundine's next show, said he was shocked to hear of Browne's condition.
"I wasn't there but it was a routine title fight, his training was good going into it," he said. "In the 12th round he got caught with a punch," said Mr Amatruda. "He was winning the fight, so people tell me, and now he's in the fight of his life.
"Of all the boxers this could've happened to he's the last fighter you would have picked. His defence is good, his footwork fantastic. He's the complete boxer, he's won national titles and is from a fighting family – it's in the blood."
Browne's brother Tommy, who boxed on the undercard, had fought for the world title in the early 2000s and Mr Amatruda said Browne was destined to appear in some big fights.
An upset former world champion, Jeff Fenech, offered his prayers to Browne and his family but said while there would be demands to ban boxing, in the end people would still want to fight.
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