Teófimo López risked his life fighting with Kambosos, doctors said

By Carlos Costa

As we all know, Honduran-American fighter Teófimo López had one heck of a fight against Australian George Kambosos 10 days ago in which he tried to defend his WBO/WBA/IBF lightweight belts, although he ended up losing the fight via split decision.

According to ESPN, the doctors who examined the former champion after the thrilling fight affirm that Teofimo risked his life while in the ring at Madison Square Garden.

Wao, why was that?

Because, according to doctors, Teofimo López had “extensive air in the retropharyngeal space,” and also because was diagnosed with pneumomediastinum.

Otolaryngologist specialist Dr. Linda Dahl stated that “the air surrounded his chest wall, his heart and his neck, places where there is supposed to be no air.”

The doctor added that the boxer could have developed a pneumothorax if having suffered a blow to the neck or chest “in a certain way, in a certain place.

“Teofimo Lopez would have fallen instantly and could not have been able to breathee. He would have needed a chest tube,” the doctor affirmed.

The diagnosis was complicated even further by López’s asthma.

Furthermore, more health problems affected Teofimo as he was infected with the COVID-19 coronavirus, a desease that he contracted just last June.

In addition, doctors determined that the cause of Teofimo’s medical condition was a tear in his esophagus.

Dr. Linda Dahl indicated that Teofimo “surely could have died.”

The specialist added that she “could not even explain how he breathed.”

“It’s like someone has tied a 300-pound set of weights around the chest… as if his neck and his chest are in a vise,” the doctor said.

About this situation, the executive director of the New York Head and Neck Institute, Dr. Peter Constantino, expressed this the media.

“Teofimo Lopez is lucky that he’s not dead… I mean, very lucky,” the director said.

Meanwhile, Teofimo shared that indeed after the weigh-in that took place the day before the battle, he began to experience shortness of breath and swelling in the neck area.

But he thought it was his asthma.

“I have fought asthma before. If I would have told everyone about my problem, they would have called the fight off.

“But I decided not to because of the amount of pressure I had. I didn’t want to hear people saying, ‘Oh, another postponement.” Teofimo said.

So after reading this, what do you think?