O’Connor was pulled from the contest before the weigh-in was completed and immediately rushed to receive medical treatment.
Once comfortable enough, O’Connor posted a picture of himself looking in a bad way, hoping to outline how dangerous the sport can be for those who attempt to cut too much poundage too quickly.
Promoter Lou DiBella said O’Connor had simply miscalculated before the scaling was due, whilst the 33 year-old is expected to be released from care soon.
Speaking on social media, O’Connor reassured his fans he was okay.
“(It’s) Heartbreaking to be rushed to the hospital and deemed medically unfit to fight the day before fighting for my first world title,” he said.
“I let the idea of being a world champion cloud my judgment of my personal health. Nothing is more important than my health.
“As I rest and recover with my family I ask for privacy. Thanks for all the well wishes and your continued support,” he added.
1) heartbreaking to be rushed to the hospital and deemed medically unfit to fight the day before fighting for my first world title. I let the idea of being a world champion cloud my judgment of my personal health. Nothing is more important than my health. pic.twitter.com/uc8SEHTZQD
— Danny O'Connor (@DOC_Boxing) July 7, 2018
Upon the cancellation of the main event featuring Jose Ramirez, Top Rank released a statement on the rest of the card.
The Jose Ramirez-Danny O’Connor WBC super lightweight title bout was called off after it was determined O’Connor was physically unable to compete. Ramirez will now make his first title defense at a later date, while the NABF welterweight title bout between Egidijus “The Mean Machine” Kavaliauskas and Juan Carlos Abreu has been elevated to the main event Saturday night at the Save Mart Center (9:30 p.m. ET).
The new ESPN televised co-feature will see Andy Vences defending the WBC Continental Americas super featherweight title against Frank De Alba.
The rest of the card will go on as planned and be streamed on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
Said Ramirez: “This is the first time I’ve been in this situation. I’m very shocked. I weighed in because I wanted to show everyone that I did my part and cut the weight that I had to cut. I sacrificed 10 weeks away from home and got myself ready for this fight. I don’t even know what to say. I hope the fans still come out tomorrow and support the show and support the movement, fighting for immigration.”
“It’s a terrible shame when something like this happens,” Bob Arum said. “We will schedule a new fight for Jose as soon as possible. We in boxing have an obligation to put the health and safety of the fighters first. Kavaliauskas versus Abreu and Vences versus De Alba are two very competitive fights.”
Kavaliauskas-Abreu and Vences-DeAlba will be televised live on ESPN and ESPN Deportes beginning at 9:30 p.m. ET. The entire undercard will be shown on ESPN+ beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET.
