World champion boxer Eamonn Magee, who was left with a broken leg after being dragged from his car and beaten by a gang in Belfast, also suffered a possible punctured lung, his coach said today.
Mr John Breen said the fighter, who was due to face one of the biggest fights of his career next month, was having difficulty breathing as he recovered in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.
The 32-year-old boxer's future is in doubt because of the horrific attack in West Belfast on Saturday.
Magee, who holds the WBU welterweight title, was driving a friend's car when he was confronted by a gang and beaten in the Blacks Road area of the city.
He underwent emergency surgery at the Royal Victoria Hospital yesterday for compound fractures to his tibia and fibula. The Royal Victoria Hospital described Magee's condition as "stable".
Magee, originally from the Ardoyne area of North Belfast was in line for a major pay day with the prospect of a bout with former WBA welterweight champion Sharmba Mitchell from America on April 3rd.
PA