David Light underwent an operation to remove a blood clot, the New Zealand boxer suffered a mild stroke after the first defeat in his career, AFP reports.

David LightPhoto: PA Images / Alamy / Alamy / Profimedia

David Light suffered a mild stroke

Light suffered a stroke following a March 25 loss to Great Britain’s Lawrence Okoli in Manchester in a WBO title match. It was the first defeat in the career of the New Zealander, who won the first 20 fights (12 by knockout).

The athlete safely returned to New Zealand, but in the following days he became ill, coach Isaac Peach said. On April 17, the boxer was hospitalized, surgeons removed the blood clot. Now the athlete is still in the hospital.

Peach avoided commenting on David Light’s future in the sport: “Only he can answer that question.”

In a statement released by his promoter, Light said that for him, recovery is “a new training camp.”

“I need to train a lot, recover and I’m working to get better” – David Light.