Diaz's injuries could hurt boxing

SAN ANTONIO, July 20 (UPI) -- The nearly fatal brain injuries Oscar Diaz suffered in a boxing match in San Antonio, Texas, could pose trouble for the sport, a boxing manager says.

Veteran manager Bob Spagnola said while the San Antonio fighter is expected to live, the brain damage he suffered could serve as evidence for those who want boxing banned as too violent, the San Antonio Express-News reported Saturday.

Spagnola said while unfortunate, the results of Wednesday's fight at Municipal Auditorium are part of the sport's culture.

"This is a business about pain, about people getting hit and getting hurt for a living," he said. "Physically, you can be clean as a white perch and sometimes things are still going to happen. That's boxing."

The 25-year-old prizefighter's injuries during his bout with Delvin Rodriguez have already prompted a review by Texas boxing regulators, the Express-News said.

The newspaper said the regulators want to determine if an medical procedures were followed properly at the event and if any actions could have been taken to lessen Diaz's injuries.