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Dominican boxer Gilbert Lenin Castillo was hospitalized following a vicious second-round knockout by Callum Smith during the undercard of Saturday’s Anthony Joshua-Oleksandr Usyk heavyweight title fight.
The punch that knocked Castillo out landed on his temple and caused his legs to spasm while he lay prone on the canvas. Referee Bob Williams didn’t bother with a 10-count; he immediately called the fight.
Smith climbed the ropes in celebration before realizing the seriousness of the situation. Castillo received ringside medical attention before leaving London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on a stretcher.
Event promoter Eddie Hearn of Matchroom Boxing said Castillo, 33, was “responsive” after needing attention.
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Below is the knockout. Warning: Graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.
Michael Benson, boxing editor at talkSport.com, reported that Castillo’s trip to the hospital was precautionary and that the fighter was conscious.
Eddie Hearn has confirmed that Lenin Castillo is responsive and on his way to hospital after being KOd by Callum Smith and stretchered from the ring. Sky also add that he’s conscious and just going to hospital for precautionary measures.
— Michael Benson (@MichaelBensonn) September 25, 2021
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Smith, 31, later spoke about his opponent, saying he wished Castillo (21-4-1, 16 KOs) well and hoped he was healthy.
“It’s not nice. I celebrated before and then I realized how bad it was,” Smith (28-1, 20 KOs) told reporters after the fight. “That’s the last thing you want to see. Boxing is a tough enough sport as it is and we all have families to go home to.”
The fight was Smith’s first since his unanimous decision loss to middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on Dec. 19, 2020.
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