Tabanas checks out of hospital

Andy Tabanas, whose fourth crack at a world boxing crown ended in near tragedy after he was knocked out by Nelson Dieppa of Puerto Rico in the 11th round of their WBO (World Boxing Organization) junior flyweight title fight Saturday, has checked out of the St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York Sunday night.

But hospital records indicated that the Filipino fighter’s exit was listed as "AMA," or against medical advice, according to boxing website fightnews.com.

A spokesman has refused to provide further information about Tabanas’ condition, but he said that in order for a patient to be allowed to leave the hospital under these conditions, he generally would have to be well enough to sign a release form.

The 31-year-old Tabanas suffered a brutal one-punch knockout at the hands of Dieppa in 2:24 in the 11th round of their scheduled 12-round bout, the final undercard of the featured Bernard Hopkins-Keith Holmes middleweight championship clash.

Tabanas, who had hoped to follow in former stablemate Joma Gamboa’s footsteps in winning a world boxing title, took a vicious right hook to the chin that ended the fight suddenly.

He remained on the canvas for several minutes and needed an oxygen before he was carried off on a stretcher and taken to St. Vincent’s Hospital. As paramedics attended to the fighter, he was moving his lips, arms and legs while his eyes were open.

Games and Amusements Board chairman Dominador Cepeda said Tabanas must have suffered a serious blow that he had to be carried from the ring on a stretcher although he added that it’s a standard procedure in boxing, particularly in title bouts, that fighters who suffer KOs are brought to hospitals for medical checkup.

"He must have suffered a severe knockout but it’s routine, particularly in title fights, to bring fighters who suffer KOs for medical checkup. As much as possible we try to get in touch with handlers of Filipino fighters fighting abroad. It’s our concern," said Cepeda.

Tabanas, who turned pro in 1989 and reeled off 17 straight wins before dropping his first pro setback to Phalan Lukmingkwan of Thailand in 1991, was ahead on two of the three judges cards when the fight ended.

It was indeed a harrowing setback for Tabanas, the Hawaii-based Cebuano who had to pursue his career abroad to support his three children in Cebu.

The loss also brought back bitter memories of his draw with Phalan a few months ago where Tabanas was on his way to victory until he was wobbled by Phalan in the 12th round. If Tabanas took the last round, he would’ve won a majority decision.

With the defeat, experts believe it will be difficult for Tabanas to gain another shot at a world crown despite the connections of his manager, Leon Panoncillo, who is Don King’s Asia and Pacific field agent.