Erik Skoglund last competed in September, losing a decision to Callum Smith.
BBC Sport reports that Swedish professional boxer Erik Skoglund, 26, is in a serious yet stable condition after having surgery in response to bleeding on the brain (h/t Bad Left Hook).
Skoglund, who has a 26 win and 1 loss record, was taken to hospital on Friday after a training session in his hometown of Nykoping. Reportedly, Skoglund had sought medical assistance because he was, “feeling ill.”
In a statement on Satuday, Skoglund’s promoter Sauerland Events said that Skoglund, “was placed in a medically induced coma and underwent surgery last night to repair a bleed on the brain. Doctors are pleased with the results and Erik remains in a serious yet stable condition.” (h/t FightNights)
Sauerland Events continued to state that, “the next 3-4 days are critical for his recovery. During this time, we ask that everyone respect the privacy of Erik and his family. We will communicate further information when it becomes available.”
Skoglund, a super-middleweight and light heavyweight, lost his first pro fight on September 16th. It was a unanimous decision to Callum Smith as part of the World Boxing Super Series. Prior to that fight he won the vacant WBA International light heavyweight title after knocking out Shpetim Shala on December 9th, 2016.
Skoglund was due to face Rocky Fielding at Tony Bellow vs. David Haye II.
Brain bleeds are a traumatic brain injury (TBI) that can be caused by the shearing of blood vessels around the dura mater (a membrane that surrounds the brain). The shearing largely occurs from lineal acceleration of the brain within the skull (the brain shifting violently back and forth as the result of impact to the head).
Bleeding can occur either above or below the dura mater. Epidural hematomas are caused when the bleeding happens between the dura mater and the skull. Subdural hematomas are caused when bleeding occurs beneath the dura mater.
In both instances, the hematomas (a pool of blood) swells and causes pressure on the brain. The pressure can damage delicate tissue. Left unalleviated the hematoma can grow to the point it forces the brain to shift position, which can cause serious brain damage and/or death.
Some hematomas don’t show any serious symptoms until they have swelled to a near-fatal size. Because of this, many sufferers feel relatively fine immediately after they suffer the injury. The sufferer can be awake and alert for sometime until suddenly falling unconscious. These lucid intervals have been observed in a number of professional fighters with bleeding on the brain.
In June of this year former UFC heavyweight Tim Hague left a boxing ring in Edmonton under his own power after suffering a brain bleed. He reportedly felt ill backstage and was then rushed to a hospital where he would later die.
In April, 2016, a near identical situation happened to the late Joao Carvalho at an MMA event in Dublin. In September, 2016 professional boxer Mike Towell died of a brain bleed the same night he suffered a TKO in Glasgow.
Also last year, boxers Nick Blackwell and Eduard Gutknecht suffered brain bleeds during separate fights in the UK. Both were hospitalized. Blackwell was released after being in a coma for a week. Gutknecht suffered severe brain damage and, in October 2017, his wife reported (via The Express) that he still could not walk or talk as a result of the injury.
The key to surviving a subdural/epidural hematoma is early detection. Lucid intervals make this task extremely difficult. There are devices that can detect brain bleeds before the symptoms are felt. These devices have been purchased by NFL squads, Olympic teams, and the California State Athletic Commission. However, the units are a long way from being ever-present at fighting arenas and gyms.