Antoine Douglas OK, released from hospital following TKO defeat to Avantil Khurtsidze
Antoine Douglas was released Sunday morning after an overnight hospital stay, a result of his 10th-round TKO loss to Avantil Khurtsidze on Saturday evening, his promoter, Vito Mielnicki, told Paste BN Sports.
The formerly unbeaten middleweight prospect was upset by Khurtsidze in a Showtime-televised bout, and received a tremendous beating in the process. Douglas was knocked down in Rounds 3 and 7 and never was in the fight, but fought bravely despite wobbly legs.
He received seven stitches for a nasty gash suffered over his right eye in Round 2, and was transported to St. Luke's University Hospital in Bethlehem, Pa., after complaining of dizziness.
Mielnicki says Douglas is doing well and resting at home in Burke, Va., and that stayed overnight at the medical center for precautionary reasons. The 23-year-old will rest for two months, but Mielnicki has no doubt Douglas will still reach great heights.
Douglas (19-1-1, 13 KOs) was originally slated to fight former champion Sam Soliman, but accepted the 35-year-old Khurtsidze less than two weeks out.
"He is a future champ, special kid," Mielnicki said. "I, as his promoter, should not have taken the fight with a short, experienced fighter on last-minute notice to satisfy others. Soliman is a jelly bean, all over the place, that's what he was ready for.
"Instead, I put a brick, compact midget in front of him that keeps coming. Not a good business move on my part, the kid will fight anyone. You can not get ready for a guy like that in 12 days, it's impossible, especially with a young, upcoming star."
It's a big setback for Douglas, but far from the end. He showed incredible courage in a losing effort and never stopped trying to get back into the fight.
"He definitely dictated," Douglas said afterward. "He definitely had a better day today. It's not discouraging, we just weren't able to execute. Naturally, I'm crushed. It's back to the drawing board."
(Photo by Amanda Westcott/SHOWTIME)