Knocked-out boxer Moses dies of brain hemorrhage

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

After five days struggling to recover from a brain hemorrhage, Antonius Moses Seram, who was knocked unconscious in a boxing match on Tuesday, finally died at the UKI Hospital here on Monday.

"He died at 8.55 p.m. I was there when he died," M. Yunus, the boxer's coach, said when contacted by The Jakarta Post.

Moses, 20, was knocked out by Thailand's Kaichon Sor Vorapin in a non-title light flyweight bout, which was aired live on RCTI television on Tuesday night.

The boxer was hammered with three powerful combinations of jabs and straights to the head, which left him sprawling on the canvas.

Unconscious, he was rushed to the hospital and on Thursday he was reported to be slightly improved. However, he took a turn for the worse and died on Monday night.

Tommy Halauwet, a doctor who witnessed surgeons operating on Moses, said he had not expected the fatal reverse in the boxer's condition.

"The previous afternoon, he was still very responsive. He reacted when his leg was touched. But around 8 p.m. his blood pressure started dropping, apparently due to brain damage he had suffered," said Tommy, who is also a physician with the Indonesian Boxing Commission (KTI).

Tommy said KTI officials, including chairman Anthon Sihombing, were present at the boxer's deathbed.

A member of the Akas Probolinggo Boxing Camp, Moses had a record 14-0-1 with nine of his wins involving KOs. His match against Vorapin was the only loss he ever suffered.

His death has added to the number of Indonesian boxers who have died after ring fights in the last four years. The list includes Donny Maramis, Moh. Alfaridzi, John Namtilu, Bayu Young Iray and Dipo Saloko.