Patrick Day Dies of Brain Injuries after Getting Knocked Out in the Bout

American boxer Patrick Day died on Wednesday, four days after he was knocked out during his match against Charles Conwell.

Day, 27, had undergone emergency surgery after being knocked out by Conwell on Saturday at Chicago’s Wintrust Arena.

His promoter, Lou DiBella of DiBella Entertainment confirmed Day’s death on Wednesday.

“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 behalf of Patrick’s family, team, and those closest to him, we are grateful for the prayers, expressions of support and outpouring of love for Pat that have been so obvious since his injury.”

DeBella further said that Day chose boxing as a career out of his interest and it was part of him.

“He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring,” he said. “Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive.”

Dibella said it is “very difficult to explain away or justify the dangers of boxing at a time like this.”