Kiwi boxer David Light in hospital after suffering mild stroke

David Light lost his WBO cruiserweight title fight to Lawrence Okolie. Photo / Photosport

New Zealand boxer David Light is in Auckland hospital receiving treatment after becoming unwell upon returning home following his bout against Lawrence Okolie for the WBO cruiserweight title in Manchester on March 25.

Light reported no ill effects in the aftermath of the bout and returned to New Zealand on April 1.

On April 5, Light began feeling unwell and sought medical attention. He underwent a CT scan, which was clear. He was diagnosed with delayed concussion and discharged.

The 31-year-old continued to have symptoms and on April 17 he was admitted to Waitakere hospital.

After a second CT scan returned clear, Light then received a contrast CT scan, which revealed a blood clot.

Light underwent surgery that night for “clot retrieval”. He has been diagnosed as suffering a mild stroke and is now recovering.

His doctors expect him to make a full recovery.

Light’s trainer Isaac Peach admits it was “devastating” to learn about the diagnosis, but says Light is doing a lot better now.

“It’s really hard for all of us to see him like that,” said an emotional Peach.

“He’s a guy who is around every day and for something like this to happen is devastating for the gym.

“I don’t have information of what’s happening in the hospital, all I know is David’s going really well. Each day I see him he’s getting better. He’s talking, he’s smiling, he’s laughing.”

Peach says Light is treating the health scare as “another fight camp”.

“His fight camp now is to get better and get well.”

Light’s unanimous decision loss to Okolie in Manchester was the first defeat of his professional career.