(JUNE 17) On June 14, 2013, at
the Water Front Congress SAS Radisson, in Stockholm, Sweden,
Frida Wallberg faced Diana Prazak in a world title bout.
Wallberg was defending her WBC Super featherweight belt, and
fighting for the WBAN Super Featherweight belt against Prazak.
In a "Bittersweet" win for
Prazak, Wallberg was stopped in the eighth round by TKO, and was
in immediate trouble in the ring. She was taken by
stretcher out of the ring, and sent to a hospital where she
underwent surgery for a severe brain hemorrhage.
Before the fight everything seem
to be going great at the press conference, weigh-in, but little
did anyone know, that the fight would have a devastating ending
that would not only affect Wallberg's future in the sport---but
boxing in general in Sweden.
As of June 17th, our latest
update on Wallberg is the following:
News from Sweden this morning
confirms that Frida is no longer in an induced coma and has been
talking to Doctors and to her boyfriend. Wallberg's boyfriend, boxing promoter Robert Stridsberg,
told local media that Frida ‘will probably remain in hospital
for up to six days’. Last night (Sunday) he posted this message
by her request on Facebook: “I´m awake now and don´t want
anyone to worry. I am tired after all the medication. I felt I
had the fight but my legs got heavy after the fifth and I was
caught by a swing in the eighth.” The message, in Swedish, is
signed, “Hugs from a tired Frida Wallberg.”
First Updates and comments made on June 14-15, 2013
One of my European correspondents read some of
the Swedish press and hey reported the following:
"She [Frida] was
operated on for a severe brain hemorrhage during the night. She was
awakened approx two hours ago, and was able to respond when
spoken to. But she was put back into coma. The plan is to re
awaken her when specialist doctors are present."
Another European Correspondent
and Journalist wrote to WBAN with some other following details:
"There also seems to be a lot of controversy regarding the
ringside doctor’s failure to get her proper medical care and
help. It is suggested in one or two of the Scandinavian websites
that he outcome was bad though it is would have been
considerably worse had Lucia Rijker not insisted the doctor
return to the ringside and get her properly treated and
ambulances summoned, etc."
Update from Correspondent:
"I watched the news on a Swedish TV channel an hour ago, and
there was no change at that time. They said they would attempt
to bring her out of coma later today. The discussion about pro
boxing in Sweden is intense after what happened last night, but
the main thing right now is to hope and pray Frida will make a
complete recovery."
Stephen Blea WBC R/J- "Prayers
go out to Frida Wallberg for a speedy recovery! No one wishes
this on any opponent, but with boxing it is one of those risks
that do seldom happen, I want to give props to former Champ
Lucia Rijker for helping and assisting with Frida, had she not
done what she did, who knows what would have happened? Also, to
the new Champ for Prazak for showing compassion to her opponent
as well. Thank God that Frida was taken to the hospital right
away as well! I personally feel that in any future fights if
there is a devastating knockdown or a fighter receives a lot of
punishment a doctor should always stay with that boxer from the
ring and into the dressing room until he or she is totally
coherent."
Ted Sares: "The sisterhood (and brotherhood) of boxing is a
tight knit family and now we are seeing the beauty of that
family as it comes together to give its love. It makes me proud
to be a part of this wonderful group. May God watch over this
fighting champ and also give comfort to Diana and Lucia."
Amanda Serrano/Boxer: "Prayers go out to Frida Wallberg who got hurt
in her fight yesterday. May God give her the strength to recover
fully. Frida is an incredible fighter & a wonderful person. I
suffered my first loss to her & have become better because of
it. I am so saddened by this news. Please pray for her. God
Bless her & her Team"
Sharon Anyos/Boxer: "Our prayers are with you Frida and
Diana. We work and train so hard as fighters, knowing there are
safety procedures in place that this is never what we expect
from a bout to be champion of the world.. My heart goes out to
you girls and your families."
Jane Couch/Boxer: "Thinking of all of you prayers sent."
Yvonne Reis/Boxer: "My
heart goes out to all of them. Di is a sweet person and Lucia
wow . So much heat pain I was I could lighten them and take
some. My prayers ladies my prayers....."
Comment: Hang in there. You are a champion! Many thoughts
and prayers are with you. --JL Georges, Madera, CA USA
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