Lee Reeves was knocked out by Gary Cully in the tenth round of their BUI Celtic super-lightweight title fight at Dublin's 3Arena on Saturday evening, and was subsequently taken to hospital.
The bout was part of the undercard for Queensberry Promotions' "No Turning Back" event, where Mark Chamberlain claimed the IBO super-lightweight world championship by beating Pierce O'Leary in the main event. Reeves, seen as the clear underdog, had applied pressure early and appeared to be on top as the fight entered the later rounds.
Medical scare and promoter's statement
As both fighters tired in the tenth, Reeves walked onto a heavy left hand from Cully and was immediately knocked unconscious. He received medical attention on the canvas and was stretchered out of the arena before being transported to a local Dublin hospital for precautionary care and treatment.
Promoter Frank Warren issued a statement on social media, saying: "All our thoughts and prayers are with Lee Reeves and his family at this time as he remains in hospital. Everyone at Queensberry is thinking of him and we're in constant contact with his team regarding his condition as we hope for positive news."
Cully's reaction
Cully, who won the title, had to watch his opponent receive oxygen before being carried out. He also expressed his concern: "My prayers and thoughts are with Lee Reeves. Hopefully he's okay."
He went on: "He came in there as a big underdog after fighting relatively at a lower level up until now, but he really showed that he can operate at a higher level. Huge credit to him."
The new champion admitted he was pushed to the limit, having had a point deducted in the fifth round after his gumshield came out for a fifth time. "It doesn't come into your mind when you're in there because I'm a fighter, I've always been a fighter and that's just what I do but I did have to dig deep in there," he said. "I really had to think in there and that shot that came in the tenth round was a well-timed shot. I had to stay switched on and stay concentrated. The keyword for this camp was concentration."
Enjoying a new weight
Saturday's contest was only Cully's second at super-lightweight following his move up from 135 pounds, and he says he feels much better at the higher weight. "It just brings a lot more enjoyment to my boxing, it makes me work a lot harder and I think it's shown in my last two fights," he said.
"I had to dig deep in there tonight. If I had to go to the well at 135 in there, I don't know if I would have had it in me. I've found a new lease of life at this weight and now I'm ready to push on."
