WBF world middleweight champion Shannan Taylor was in critical condition Monday as the result of a suspected drug overdose, with hospital staff contradicting reports his life support had been turned off.
A spokeswoman at Wollongong Hospital, about 50 miles south of Sydney, confirmed to NewsCore that Taylor remained critical after being hospitalized Monday morning.
Citing information from one of Taylor's promoters, Australian radio station 3AW earlier reported the 39-year-old had died, but later said there now "appears to be a small glimmer of hope" for the fighter.
Former Australian boxer Barry Michael, who won the IBF Super Featherweight title in 1985, had told the radio station Taylor's life support had been turned off.
Later reports said Taylor would be given 24 hours before a decision was made about whether to turn off life support.
Known as the "Bulli Blaster," Taylor had a 52-10 record with 37 knockouts, The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph reported.
He defeated Thailand's Sintung Kietbusaba in Wollongong last month to win the vacant WBF world middleweight belt.
Taylor fought "Sugar" Shane Mosely for the WBC welterweight title in 2001 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. Mosely won the bout by TKO in the sixth round.
