Boxer suffers stroke after losing world title fight

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

New Zealand boxer David Light is in an Auckland hospital receiving treatment after becoming unwell upon returning home following his bout against Lawrence Okolie for the WBO world cruiserweight title in Manchester on March 25.

Light (20-1, 12 KOs) underwent surgery for “clot retrieval”. He has been diagnosed as suffering a mild stroke – and is now recovering.

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The 31-year-old had reported no ill effects after his points defeat to Okolie at the AO Arena and arrived back in New Zealand on April 1 after a short break in London.

But a few days later, Light began feeling unwell and sought medical attention. He underwent a CT scan, which was clear, but was diagnosed with delayed concussion and discharged.

However, Light continued to experience symptoms, and he was admitted to Waitakere Hospital on April 17. A further CT scan revealed a blood clot.

Doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Light recently got engaged to his partner Teresa, announcing the news on social media.

He was wobbled by the heavy-handed Okolie several times during his unsuccessful world title challenge, particularly in a torrid 11th round, but showed great heart to remain on his feet and hear the final bell.

The three judges scored the contest 116-112, 119-108 and 117-110 in Okolie’s favour as the Brit (19-0, 14 KOs) retained his belt for the third time.

Okolie paid tribute to the “extremely tough” Kiwi afterwards, saying he had been tactically astute and shown good hand defences.

It was Light’s first defeat as a professional after a glittering amateur career that included a silver medal at heavyweight at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

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