Boxer Diaz critical after brain surgery

SAN ANTONIO, July 17 (UPI) -- Welterweight boxer Oscar Diaz was in critical condition following brain surgery Thursday morning at the University Hospital in San Antonio.

The popular 28-year-old San Antonio native collapsed after the 10th round of his nationally-televised bout against Delvin Rodriguez Wednesday night.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Oscar, his family, and all of Oscar's fans and friends in San Antonio," promoter Joe DeGuardia, the CEO of Star Boxing, said in a statement. "Oscar is a tremendous fighter and more importantly a tremendous person. We hope for the best, and ask everyone to keep Oscar in their thoughts and hearts."

Diaz (26-3) and Rodriguez (23-2-1, 14 KOs) were fighting for the vacant United States Boxing Association welterweight crown.

Before the bout, ESPN 2 boxing analyst Teddy Atlas said he felt both fighters had an equal chance of winning.