Italian fighter Christian Daghio has sadly passed away after a devastating knockout left the 49-year-old in a coma he never came out of.

It happened in the final round of the WBC Asian Boxing Council silver light heavyweight fight between Daghio, who was a legend of the Muay Thai scene, and his opponent, Don Pareuang.

Seconds after getting up from a first knockdown, the dazed Daghio was hit with a flurry of punches from Pareuang.

Image: YouTube/Sportlism

Advert

He hit the canvas hard and the referee quickly ran over to hold the Italian's head up, taking his gum shield out to try and help as his opponent celebrated.



Daghio was then rushed to hospital where it became clear that he had suffered brain damage from the bout.

Unfortunately the 49-year-old was pronounced dead in a Bangkok hospital, a week after the knockout.

Italian boxer Christian Daghio, 49, was stopped in the 12th round of a WBC Asia title match in Bangkok last week and died this morning due to injuries sustained in the fight. RIP.

- James Goyder (@JamesGoyder) November 2, 2018

Advert

Christian's brother, Fabrizio, has paid tribute to the fighter, saying he wanted to fight for years to come, and the ring was 'his life':

"He died like he wanted. I have no regrets because he was like that. He wanted to fight till he was 80. The ring was his life and he died as a champion." he said to the Italian media.

"My brother had a girlfriend in Thailand and a five-year-old girl who still doesn't know her father has died."

It is with deep regret and a heavy heart that we have learned of the passing away of CHRISTIAN Daghio Italian boxer living in thailand RIP

- Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) November 2, 2018

Advert

Christian Daghio was a true legend of the sport. He had more than 200 fights under his belt, and won seven world titles in that time.