Injured Boxer Still in Coma After Surgery

A 23-year-old boxer, who collapsed after an eight-round bout Monday night, remained in a coma in critical condition today in a Syracuse hospital.

Johnny Gross of Syracuse underwent two hours of surgery early Tuesday at St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center for injuries he apparently suffered during his winning bout against Mike Caminiti of Troy in Phoenix, N.Y., just north of Syracuse.

“Johnny’s very bad,” Madeline Gross, the boxer’s mother, said Tuesday night. “The next 24 hours are very important. We don’t know if he’s going to make it. He’s in a coma. He doesn’t respond.”

Gross, a super-middleweight class fighter, defeated Caminiti on all three judges’ cards in a bout described by observers as a brawl. Neither boxer suffered a knockdown.

1,000 Punches in 8 Rounds

“They threw about 1,000 punches in eight rounds,” said Paul Gross, the fighter’s father.

Gross collapsed in the locker room at the end of the next fight.

“After the fight, there were no problems,” said Dr. Armand Cincotta, the attending physician for the four-bout card. “There was no warning sign, no symptoms.”

Cincotta said Gross was suffering from a subdural hematoma, a large swelling of blood. The collection was near Gross’ brain on the left side of his head, just above the ear.

Gross’ last fight had been six weeks ago in Atlantic City. That fight had been stopped in the second round because of a cut over the ear. He has a 4-3 record as a professional.