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'I HOPE HE IS OK'
Patrick Day: Watch Charles Conwell’s haunting post-fight interview wishing tragic boxer to get better
CHARLES CONWELL'S haunting interview after beating tragic Patrick Day shows him praying the late boxer will be OK.
American super-welterweight Day died last night aged 27 having spent the past four days in a coma following his KO on Saturday.
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Day was rushed to hospital on a stretcher after he faced a barrage of punches from Conwell and did not move on the canvas for several minutes.
He suffered seizures on his way to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in the US and had emergency brain surgery.
But his promoter Lou DiBella confirmed in a statement last night that he had succumbed to his injury - plunging the boxing world into grief.
Conwell appeared genuinely concerned and saddened when he spoke to iFL TV after the bout.
Speaking about Day, he said: "Give him my blessings and my concerns. I hope he is OK.
"I know Patrick is a great person. It's part of the sport but it's always hard doing something like that to somebody.
"His family, his friends... I know they don't want that from me.
"I just wish him the best."
All I wanted to do was win. If I could take it all back I would.
Charles Conwell
Conwell, 21, also sent out an emotional tweet after the fight.
He wrote: "I never meant for this to happen to you.
"All I wanted to do was win. If I could take it all back I would, no one deserves for this to happen to them.
"I replay the fight over and over in my head thinking what if this never happened and why did it happen to you.
"I can't stop thinking about it, I prayed for you so many times and shed so many tears because I couldn't even imagine how my family and friends would feel.
"I see you everywhere I go and all I hear is wonderful things about you.
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"I thought about quitting boxing but I know that's not what you would want, I know you were a fighter at heart so I decided not to, but to fight and win a world title.
"That's what you wanted and that's what I want, so I'll use you as motivation every day and make sure I always leave it all in the ring every day."
Day's devastated trainer Joe Higgins set up a Twitter account just so he could reply to the heartwrenching post.
He thanked Conwell for his "kind words" and told him: "Patrick would have wanted you to continue. I am rooting for you to reach your dream, the same one he had."
Leading boxing figures Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren were among those to offer their sympathies following the tragic news that Day, who won 17 of his 22 fights, had lost his fight for life.
Matchroom boss Hearn wrote: "Devastated to hear the news of the passing of Patrick Day. Our deepest prayers are with his family, his trainer Joe Higgins, Charles Conwell and promoter Lou DiBella."
Warren tweeted: "We are deeply saddened to hear about the tragic passing of Patrick Day. The thoughts and condolences of all at Queensberry Promotions are with his friends and family at this awful time."
Day failed to respond to treatment after having brain surgery.
DiBella said: "Patrick Day passed away today, October 16, 2019, succumbing to the traumatic brain injury he suffered in his fight this past Saturday, October 12, at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, IL.
"He was surrounded by his family, close friends and members of his boxing team, including his mentor, friend and trainer Joe Higgins.
"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.
"Patrick Day didn't need to box.
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"He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values and had other avenues available to him to earn a living.
"He chose to box, knowing the inherent risks that every fighter faces when he or she walks into a boxing ring.
"Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It's how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive."