Boxer Garcia Remains Critical

LAS VEGAS — Jimmy Garcia remained in critical but stable condition Sunday after surgery for a large blood clot that formed in his brain following his WBC super-featherweight title bout with Gabriel Ruelas Saturday night at Caesars Palace.

Doctors said the Colombian boxer showed slight improvement after the two-hour operation to drain blood from his brain and stop bleeding in a vein, but that it was too early to speculate on his chances of recovery. Garcia was described as “slightly responsive” Sunday.

“The critical part is not to allow anything more to hurt his brain over the next several days or weeks,” said Dr. Albert Capana, a neurosurgeon who performed the surgery. “It’s possible he’ll recover, but you never know for sure.”

Garcia, 23, was rushed into surgery at University Medical Center after collapsing in his corner when his fight with Ruelas was stopped in the 11th round.

Garcia had taken a beating throughout the fight, but pleaded for the bout to be allowed to continue while being checked by ringside physician Flip Homansky after the 10th round.