Russian boxer Magomed Abdusalamov remained in stable condition at Roosevelt Hospital on Monday though there are concerns he may have suffered a stroke while being treated for a high temperature.
A source told The Post Abdusalamov suffered the stroke while being treated for a 104-degree temperature.
“That’s a possibility but the doctor has to confirm that,” said Nathan Lewkowicz, the vice-president of Sampson Boxing, which promotes Abdusalamov.
Abdusalamov, 32, underwent brain surgery Sunday to remove a blood clot hours after losing a 10-round heavyweight fight to Mike Perez Saturday night at the Garden Theater. It was a brutal slugfest with Abdusalamov and Perez exchanging heavy blows throughout the fight. Perez eventually won a unanimous decision.
Abdusalamov, who earned $40,000 for the bout, suffered a broken nose, a broken hand and a badly swollen cheekbone and went the hospital immediately afterwards. The blood clot was found during the examination and the fighter underwent surgery early Sunday.
He has been in a medically induced coma since as doctors wait for the swelling in his brain to subside.
“He’s still in stable condition and still in a coma,” Lewkowicz told The Post. “They’re waiting for the swelling to go down. That usually takes about four days.”
Perez issued a statement Monday saying, “Mago is in my thoughts and prayers and I hope he recovers quickly. He fought like a true warrior. I’m happy to be victorious, but my main concern is for his health.”
It’s certain Abdusalamov will never box again, bringing a premature end to a promising career. After becoming the 2005 and 2006 Russian amateur champion at super middleweight, Abdusalamov moved from Makhachkala, Russia, to Oxnard, Calif., to pursue his dream of becoming the world heavyweight champion.
His manager Boris Grinberg said it was only a matter of time before he won a major belt.
“My fighter will beat everybody in the heavyweight division,” Grinberg once said.
A southpaw with power, Abdusalamov entered Saturday’s fight 18-0 with all 18 wins by knockout. Perez, a Cuban defector now living in Ireland, was also unbeaten at 19-0 with 12 knockouts. Each was making his first appearance on HBO.