Ex-WBA Heavyweight Champ Hospitalized
By Uncategorized November 28th, 2006Greg Page hospitalized with pneumonia in Kentucky
Page, who held the WBA title for a spell in 1984, is in stable condition, according to a hospital press release.
On March 9, 2001, the fighter suffered bleeding in his brain and fell unconscious during the tenth round of a fight with Dale Crowe in Erlanger, in Kentucky.
He’s dealt with partial paralysis, impaired speech and other effects of the traumatic brain injury since then. In late February and early March, Page was listed in critical condition at a hospital, as he battled pneumonia, severe dehydration and a blood infection.
The boxer beat Gerrie Coetzee in South Africa, a jubilant and exclamatory victory for a black man, and snagged the WBA crown with his KO8 win. Four months later, Page lost the crown to Tony Tubbs in Buffalo (UD15). Page debuted as a pro in 1979. After his loss to Tubbs, Page soldiered on, but never again received a shot at a legit title, and was used a record-builder by up and coming fighters. Page suffered from comparisons to another Louisville product, Muhammad Ali, and of course couldn’t live up to the billing as the next Ali.
TSS wishes him well in his ongoing health struggle…
November 29th, 2006 at 2:05 am
Get well soon Greg.
November 29th, 2006 at 9:04 pm
Greg’s had a really tough time of it since that fight in Erlanger, KY. He suffered a freak incident when he fell back into the ropes of the makeshift ring and they gave way causing Greg to fall, hitting the back of his head against the steel ringpost. The result of that impact is said to be the cause of the brain damage, rather than any punches landed by his opponent that night. Greg was making that comeback fight after having been inspired by the success George Foreman achieved after being out of the sport for several years. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed and hope Greg wins this latest battle.
November 30th, 2006 at 3:51 pm
May God Be With You Black Man