By Bill Kozloff

Almost exactly one year ago, Magomed Abdusalamov was an undefeated heavyweight puncher from Russia who stepped in the ring at New York's Madison Square Garden to trade punches with fellow unbeaten Mike Perez. Magomed lost on points and took a lot of damage from a very brutal bout. The boxer suffered a brain bleed, which led to emergency surgery. Magomed was fighting for his life as he was laying in a coma, on life support, for an extended period of time. He eventually woke up from the coma, but his senses and physical functions were severely affected.

Now Magomed is facing an equally important battle - the battle for physical rehabilitation, the fight to lead a normal life with his family.

Magomed's wife, Bakanay Abdusalamov, says her husband's physical condition is improving, but unfortunately the process is slower than she would have liked.

"I recently returned from Dagestan, said Bakanay. "While I wasn't in America, Magomed was taken care of by his brother. Our youngest daughter literally did not leave Magomed's side, she kisses him all the time. Magomed loves watching her and loves to hug her. Magomed, one week he is more active than in others. Many times he has have tried to speak, his speech is very difficult to understand. He writes to me on Ipads, running his finger across the screen and draws pictures that he dedicates to me."

"In addition, Magomed is now able to eat independently. He is holding a spoon in his left hand, he is good at chewing and swallows. He even sometimes requests something for me to cook, and I cook him meals of Dagestani cuisine. Magomed responds to jokes. He laughs when people are joking and he kids with me sometimes. The right side of the body is still paralyzed, but Magomed sometimes moves his right hand and foot, he feels the touch of his right arm and leg."

"Next week we will go with him to the doctor. Depending on what the doctor says, we will decide how to proceed. I want to start for a more intensive physiotherapy, acupuncture, more intense massage. Once again I want to thank those who did not forget about Magomed, who continue to support and pray for him. If you have someone or a close relative who is also in such a serious condition, I want to tell you that you need to be patient and never give up. For example, I know a person who was confined to a bed, who managed to make their first steps in 5 years after the injury. So you need patience, you have to believe and fight."

Bill Kozloff covers boxing for Allboxing.ru