Amateur Boxer, 24, Dies After He Collapses During a Bout at Miami

A 24-year-old amateur boxer, who collapsed in the ring after taking a left hook to the chin in a bout a day earlier, died late Friday at Miami General Hospital.

Howard Brooks, a 6-foot, 4-inch, 228-pounder, had been in a coma since his super-heavyweight match Thursday against Hank Williams of Fort Lauderdale in the South Florida Golden Gloves tournament at North Miami.

Brooks, of Punxsutawney, Pa., arrived in Miami last fall after failing to find any matches in Charlottesville, Va., where he graduated from college with a chemical engineering degree.

“You wonder what he was doing chasing a dream fighting,” said Dick Lee, director of the tournament. “You could see right off the bat he didn’t have the ability.”

Brooks, who had only had 10 previous fights, had won the first round against Williams, according to judges. He was sent sprawling in the second with a left hook to the chin. He recovered, but in the third round Williams dropped him to one knee with another left hook, officials said. Brooks took a standing eight count, then collapsed unconscious on the canvas. He was treated by physicians and rushed to the hospital.

An autopsy will be performed.