Russian heavyweight boxer Magomed Abdusalamov was put back on life support when his temperature began to rise a few hours after breathing on his own.
Abdusalamov was also placed back into a medically-induced coma to keep his brain from swelling.
The setback came hours after friends and family became optimistic after Abdusalamov was taken off life support and brought out of the medically-induced coma.
Abdusalamov remained unconscious, but there was slight movement in his right eye and left foot.
“This is the first step,” Lewkowicz told The Post after the boxer initially was brought out of his coma. “We’re all hoping for a full recovery.”
That now remains uncertain. Abdusalamov, 32, has been in a medically-induced coma since undergoing brain surgery to remove a blood clot suffered after losing a brutal 10-round decision to Mike Perez of Cuba on Nov. 2 at the Garden Theater.
Abdusalamov suffered a broken nose, a broken hand, a swollen cheek and a cut over his left eye, but left the ring under his own power. He was cleared by doctors assigned by the New York State Athletic Commission after a locker room examination but began vomiting and shaking while traveling by taxi to St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital. A CAT scan revealed the blood clot. Abdusalamov also suffered a stroke while in the coma and while being treated for a 104-degree temperature.
Doctors were hoping to see small progress as they evaluate the extent of the damage Abdusalamov suffered during his ordeal.