Questions are being raised about whether a professional boxer who died after a brutal knockout during a fight in Miami should have been in the ring to begin with.
Ardi Ndembo, 27, a father of two, had been in an induced coma after the fight on April 5, but never recovered.
Undefeated Las Vegas heavyweight Jeremiah Milton now claims that Ndembo — originally from Brazzaville, Congo — had been knocked unconscious during training just a week before the fatal fight.
Milton posted a short clip on Instagram showing a man he identified as Ndembo hitting his head on the canvas after a knockout blow.
Ndembo was wearing protective headgear designed to lessen the impact from blows to the head.
But Milton questioned why Ndembo was allowed to fight so soon after that incident.
"You don't know if a guy should compete after being knocked out twice in a month? Idk if I'm doing the right thing but I'm in my feelings, can we get some accountability?" Milton asked.
The heavyweight boxer, who was part of the Las Vegas Hustle team in the Team Combat League, sustained significant injuries in the Miami fight that was streamed live on Facebook.
Ndembo crumpled to the mat after a blow by opponent Nestor Santana.
"My humble condolences for Ardie Endembo's family I join the pain that God keeps him in his kingdom," Santana said in a statement on Instagram.
Combat Sports Law, a combat sports legal resource site, said there should be checks and balances in place to prevent fighters from competing shortly after being knocked out.
The site also noted that Florida requires all boxers to fill out a pre-fight physical sheet that asks participants to report any times they were knocked unconscious. It was unclear what Ndembo put on his form.
The site said it had reached out to the Florida Athletic Commission and Team Combat League for comment.
Some $14,000 has been raised on a GoFundMe page to help Ndembo's family. The Team Combat League said it was matching donations.
On Friday the ringside bell was rung 10 times before a fight to honor the fallen boxer.
"Please take a moment to send your strength, prayers and support to the Ndembo family at this challenging time," the Team Combat League posted on Facebook.
