Calls for boxing to be banned after death

Victorian Michael Zerafa was taken out of a ring on a stretcher following a knockout loss. Photo / Getty

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has renewed calls for a ban on boxing following the death of Sydney fighter Davey Browne Jr.

Browne's family made the decision to turn off his life support after injuries suffered in his regional title bout with Carlo Magali of the Philippines on Friday night in Sydney.

The 28-year-old father of two was knocked out 30 seconds from the scheduled end of his 12-round contest and, although he initially regained consciousness, he collapsed from his stool and was taken to Liverpool Hospital in a critical condition with brain injuries.

AMA vice-president Dr Stephen Parnis said Browne's death was an "entirely avoidable" tragedy.

"One punch can kill - whether you are outside a pub on a Friday night or in a boxing ring - and this is the thing that causes young lives to be ended so traumatically," he told the ABC.

"The way that boxing is designed, there will be these times inevitably where someone will get bleeding or irreversible damage to the brain and they will either lose their life or end up with brain damage.

"That is why the AMA thinks that we cannot continue with it (boxing)."

Browne's death continues a sad year for Australian boxing.

In March, Queensland-based fighter Braydon Smith died two days after losing a bout in Toowoomba, having collapsed 90 minutes after the contest.

Former IBF featherweight world champion Billy Dib, who was Browne's highest-profile opponent, pointed out boxing was not the only sport that had deaths.

"Things like this happen in sport, not just in our sport but in other sports. Things happen in high-contact sports," said Dib

Browne was leading on all three judges' cards before being knocked out.

Before Friday's fight, his only previous loss in his 24-bout career was to Dib in 2009.

"He was extremely tough," Dib said of Browne.

"I remember when I fought him, he could take it and then he could give it.

"Unfortunately, it's a very sad way to go but at least you can say he died doing what he loved.

"I've known Davey for a long time. I remember him from amateur days. He and I travelled many, many times in NSW teams to the nationals.

"It's very, very sad. Australian boxing has lost a bright young man."

Australian Boxing Federation president John McDougall told Sydney radio 2GB: "It's tragic, tragic news.

"We did hear that he'd recommenced breathing on his own, and we were hoping and praying that that was a good sign, but this morning's (Tuesday's) news is shattering."

Less than two days after Browne's bout, Victorian Michael Zerafa was taken out of a ring on a stretcher following a knockout loss to former WBO middleweight world champion Peter Quillin in Connecticut.

-AAP