Tags:
Journalism of Courage
New York, October 23 ANDREW Golota remained hospitalised on Sunday after suffering a concussion and a neck injury in a fight against Mike Tyson that he quit after the second round.
8220;He got hurt, he got injured and it8217;s probably the smartest thing he did,8221; Mariola Golota said of her husband8217;s refusal to go out for the third round Friday night at the Palace of Auburn Hills in Michigan.
Golota was taken by his wife to Resurrection Medical Centre on Chicago8217;s Northwest side after they returned home Saturday morning.
Dr Wesley Yapor, a neuro surgeon treating Golota, said the fighter sustained a concussion, a fractured left cheekbone and a herniated disc between the fourth and fifth cervical vertebrae.
Yapor, who shared a conference call with Mariola Golota, said the 32-year-old fighter was fitted with a cervical collar and will need therapy.8220;If the symptoms persist, he might need surgery,8221; said Yapor who indicated Golota could be released early in the week.
After an MRI, it was thought there was a little bleeding in the brain, and that does appear to be the case, according to Yapor.8220;It8217;s not uncommon for people who sustain serious head injuries to have a cervical injury,8221; said Yapor, explaining that all head injuries are considered serious.
Asked if Golota could fight again, Yapor said, 8220;That8217;s a difficult question to answer. My goal is to get him to where he would have no restrictions.8221; 8220;There8217;s no question he sustained a concussion from headows,8221; Yapor said.Golota was knocked down by a right to the head late in the first round. He also complained of several head butts by Tyson, one of which apparently opened a cut over his left eye.
8220;If he had sustained another serious blow to the head he could have become paralysed,8221; Yapor said. 8220;quot;There8217;s no way I would have allowed him to enter the ring for the second round.8221;Golota, however, did not complain to a ringside physician about being in distress.
