By Jon Uddin✏

As we close out 2019, we must acknowledge those we lost in the ring during the course of the year. It’s a sport we love but the risks involved are severe, real, and unfortunately we sometimes lose our fighters as a result.

MAXIM DADASHEV (September 30, 1990- July 23, 2019)

At the age of 28, Russian Super-Lightweight 🇷🇺Maxim Dadashev (13-1, 11KO) died as a result of brain injuries he suffered during an 11th-round knockout loss four days prior to Subriel Matias at the MGM National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland on July 23rd.

Dadashev started boxing at the age of 10, and had a great amateur record of 281-20 and collected a silver medal at the 2008 World Junior Championships. He won a silver medal at the 2013 Russian amateur championships and bronze medals in 2010 and 2012. Dadashev left behind a wife and son.

HUGO SANTILLAN (May 30, 1996- July 25, 2019) 

Argentine Lightweight 🇦🇷Hugo Santillan, 23, died on July 25th, just four days after sustaining several injuries in his ten round split decision draw with Uruguayan fighter Eduardo Javier Abreu in Buenos Aires.

Santillian suffered a blood clot in his brain and cardiorespiratory failure before he passed away from cardiac arrest.

BORIS STANCHOV (March 6, 1998- September 21, 2019) 

In a strange set of circumstances, 21 year old Bulgarian boxer 🇧🇬Boris Stanchov, took a $460 appearance fee under the license of his cousin Isus Velichkov. The bout against Albania’s Ardit Murja would end tragically as Stanchov (0-6-0, 1KO) would die from cardiac arrest after the injuries he sustained in the bout.

PATRICK DAY (August 9, 1992- October 16, 2019)

Junior-Middleweight and Long Island, New York native 🇺🇸Patrick Day (17-4-1, 6KO) died from brain injuries sustained from a 10th-round knockout loss to Charles Conwell.

“Before establishing himself as a world-class professional fighter, Pat was a highly decorated amateur. He won two nationals titles, the New York Golden Gloves tournament and was an Olympic team alternate, all in 2012. Day turned pro in 2013 and overcame early career struggles to become a world-rated junior middleweight contender. He captured the WBC Continental Americas championship in 2017 and the IBF Intercontinental championship in 2019. In June 2019, he was rated in the top 10 by both the WBC and IBF.”

“He was also a dedicated college student, having earned an associate’s degree in food and nutrition from Nassau Community College and, subsequently, a bachelor’s degree in health and wellness from Kaplan University.”

“Unlike many who turn to boxing as a means to escape poverty, Day came from a middle-class family. Patrick Day didn’t need to box. He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living. He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring. Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive.”
– Promoter Lou Dibella

DWIGHT RITCHIE (February 29, 1992- November 9, 2019)

Former Australian Middleweight Champion 🇦🇺Dwight Ritchie (19-2-0, 2KO) died on November 9th after taking a body shot during a sparring session with Michael Zerafa, as Zerafa was prepping for his rematch against Jeff Horn.

Ritchie went to his own corner after taking the shot and collapsed. Attempts to revive him failed and he passed away. Ritchie was 27 and left behind a wife and three kids.