Ubayd Haider Photo: Facebook / Ubayd Haider
A Fijian featherweight boxer is in hospital in "critical condition" after facing a Australia-based Chinese opponent in a boxing promotion event in Fiji on Saturday.
Ubayd Haider, formerly known as Nathan Singh, lost by knockout to Runqi Zhou in the IBO Asia Pacific Featherweight bout at King Charles Park in Nadi.
Local media report that the Fijian boxer had collapsed after his loss and was taken to hospital, where he is currently in an intensive care unit (ICU) in Lautoka.
The state broadcaster FBC said that "Haider took on a lot of heavy body punches from Zhao throughout the entire bout, where he played defence for most of the bout."
It said the promoter of the event Freddy Chand and chief guest and former All Blacks star Sonny Bill Williams visited Haider at the hospital after the event.
According to a report by The Fiji Times, the boxer has suffered brain injuries and his camp is expected to release a statement on his condition later today.