LOS ANGELES, May 29: A Mexican boxer was fighting for his life on Sunday after being rushed to an American hospital where he underwent emergency brain surgery. Ruben Contreras was taken to the downtown California Hospital Medical Center Saturday night after collapsing at the Staples Center arena during a scheduled eight-round flyweight fight with American Brian Viloria.

The 32-year-old was bleeding from the nose and mouth and decided to stop in the sixth round complaining of a headache.

A hospital spokesperson said doctors were able to save Contreras on Saturday night but the next 72 hours will be crucial to his survival.

“He was very critical when he came in. He had surgery and now he is sedated,” she said.

Contreras was fighting on the undercard of Julio Cesar Chavez’s non-title bout with Ivan Robinson.

Viloria was awarded a win by technical knockout.—AFP