Lagos – Inadequate medical facilities almost caused the death of a boxer, Olayinka Simeon, who was knocked out unconsciously at the monthly boxing show in Lagos on Saturday.

Simeon, fighting in the 64kg category, fell to the canvass in round one following a rain of punches by his opponent, Kazeem Saka.

The boxer’s plight, representing Oke Odo Boxing Club, caused anxiety among officials and spectators when the ring side medical team could not immediately revive him.

Officials of the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS) at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Centre Yaba, venue of the show, could not salvage the situation.

The officials who rushed to the ringside, were only able to provide water, ice-block and some analgesic drugs.

Simeon, whose bout was the last for the night, later regained consciousness after a few minutes on the canvass.

Effort by NAN to speak with the LASAMBUS officials was rebuffed.

Reacting to the incident, a boxing fan, Ajibola Tiamiyu, told NAN that the organisers needed to provide qualified medical personnel and facilities to avert a recurrence of the night’s scare.

“It was God that saved that guy, honestly. This is a big event, boxers welfare should not be treated with levity.’’

A boxer, Segun Ibrahim, also said there was a need for boxers to undergo screening to ascertain their fitness before fighting.

One of the organisers of the programme, simply called Yusuf, however, said it was a “minor incident’’.

In the nine-bout tournament which paraded some new boxers, Ismaila Agbaje of Young Stars Club, defeated Adeyinka Kehinde of Brightest Club in the 49kg category.

Kehinde Ajibola of Ajetunmobi Club and Segun Ibrahim of Warrior Club lost to Abdullahi Balogun of Brightest Club and Tosin Oyewole of Kamlat Club in 52kg and 69kg respectively.

In the only female bout, Nofisat Hassan of No Shaking Club, defeated Elizerbeth Osoja of Brightest Club in 52kg. (NAN)