In this file photo taken on October 27, 2018 Patrick Day celebrates his decision win against Elvin Ayala during their junior middleweight fight at Madison Square Garden in New York City. – American boxer Patrick Day died October 16, 2019, after suffering a serious brain injury during his knockout defeat to Charles Conwell last weekend, promoter Lou DiBella said in a statement. (Photo by AL BELLO / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / AFP)
CHICAGO— Boxer Patrick Day died Wednesday, four days after sustaining head injuries in a fight with Charles Conwell.
Promoter Lou DiBella said Day died at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. He was 27.
“He was surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team, including his mentor, friend and trainer Joe Higgins,” DiBella said in a statement on his website. “He was a son, brother, and good friend to many. Pat’s kindness, positivity and generosity of spirit made a lasting impression with everyone he met.”
Day had brain surgery after being knocked out in the 10th round Saturday night at Wintrust Arena. Knocked down twice earlier in the bout, the junior middleweight was taken from the ring on a stretcher.
Two days after the fight, Conwell posted a heartfelt message to Day on social media.
“I never meant for this to happen to you. All I ever wanted to do was win. If I could take it all back I would. No one deserves for this to happen to them,” Conwell wrote. “I replay the fight over and over in my head thinking what if this never happened and why did it happen to you.”
From Freeport, New York, Day had a career record of 17-4-1 with six knockouts. As an amateur, he won two Nationals titles, the New York Golden Gloves tournament and was a U.S. Olympic team alternate in 2012.