Heavyweight Trevor Bryan has had to retire from boxing after suffering a severe neck injury in a knockout defeat to Cassius Chaney.
Bryan, who turns 35 next month, held the WBA ‘Regular’ title under the guidance of Don King until facing Daniel Dubois in 2022. Knocked out in four rounds by the current IBF champion, Bryan took over a year off before returning to the ring against Chaney last November.
However, little did promoter King or his team know that Bryan was nursing an underlying neck injury. Bryan wanted to continue his career and agreed on the Chaney fight despite the ailment. Seven rounds in, there was instant regret after a sickening blow laid Bryan prone on the canvas.
The New Yorker was stretchered out of the Casino Miami Jai Alai in Miami and immediately assessed by doctors. At the time, the wife of former world champion Cory Spinks outlined that Bryan’s condition was serious, and he couldn’t feel the bottom half of his body.
“Boxing Friends say a special prayer for Trevor Bryan. He’s still in the hospital. He messed up his vertebrae when he fell. Trevor can’t feel his legs.
“The doctors are doing more tests to see what other damages Trevor has suffered from last Saturday’s fight against Cassius Chaney,” said Christy Spinks.
A day later, Bryan underwent neck surgery after being rendered unconscious by Chaney. The injury he already had but kept quiet about has worsened significantly.
Wakeil Hendrickson of Rose City Boxing Gym updated on his condition after he went under the knife.
“Trevor Bryan had minus emergency surgery last night for a herniated disc in his neck. He’s recovering well at Jackson Memorial Hospital. He was unable to move and could not feel his legs. Doctors stabilized Bryan’s neck with a brace, and he had to be moved by a transfer board onto the gurney. Coach Stacey McKinley said Bryan had this issue for a while but never told his team.”
Former WBA ‘Regular’ heavyweight champion @trevorbryanjr has been forced to retire following a neck injury suffered in this sickening knockout to @cassius_chaney in November.
🎥 @DonKingPrdctns pic.twitter.com/a0Res1vOZY
— World Boxing News (@WorldBoxingNews) July 17, 2024
After months of recovery, Bryan can walk again and has all his faculties intact. However, there’s no way he’ll be able to take another punch to the head. He told fans his career was over.
“To Fans, friends, and family, I have overcome great obstacles in my last defeat. It is never a shame to share my journey, but I am definitely comfortable doing so now. I am happy because I am so blessed to see how strong I am against adversity.
“Due to my last injury, I have to end my boxing career in the ring, but I will never be done with boxing because it’s my life. My story continues because I am a fighter, and there will be more to come from the Dream Team.”
Bryan’s ending could have been a lot worse following two bad stoppages. Thankfully, he can be around for his family, a fate that sometimes isn’t possible for some competing in the dangerous heavyweight division.
Read all articles and exclusive interviews by Phil Jay. Learn more about the author, experienced boxing writer, and World Boxing News Editor since 2010. Follow on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
