Otorohanga-based professional boxer Daniel MacKinnon (21-8) is battling for his life following a brutal light heavyweight title fight in Hamilton as part of the Tua-Ustinov undercard.
MacKinnon, 30, was stopped in the 10th round against Robbie Berridge (21-1, 18KOs) on Saturday night in what was described as "brutal and bloody brawl".
He was taken to Waikato Hospital following the fight where he underwent emergency brain surgery.
He was in a critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit on Sunday, according to a statement from his manager Ken Reinsfield.
MacKinnon was knocked down in the seventh and ninth rounds before the referee stopped the fight in the 10th round.
On November 2 in New York, heavyweight Magomed Abdusalamov also took a bad beating at the hands of Mike Perez and was taken to the hospital afterwards. He suffered a brain bleed and also underwent emergency surgery.