Sampson Lewkowicz, promoter of hospitalized Russian heavyweight Magomed Abdusalamov, along with promoters Leon Margules and Lou DiBella, and with help and support of others in the industry, are establishing a fund for fans to donate to and raise money to help alleviate the financial burden the unfortunate brain injury Abdusalamov suffered Saturday night has placed on him and his family, according to a press release that was issued on Tuesday evening.

Abdusalamov, a 32-year-old southpaw who had scored 18 consecutive knockout victories before losing his first pro bout to Mike Perez in a brutal 10-round fight on Saturday, had to have emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain. The fight, which took place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, was also broadcast worldwide on HBO.

Abdusalamov is still in ICU at Roosevelt Hospital in New York, where he is on life support following a stroke he suffered while being treated for a 104-degree fever on Sunday after undergoing surgery, Nathan Lewkowicz informed RingTV.com on Tuesday. Abdusalamov is still in the medically induced coma he was put in prior to his operation.

His family, including his wife and father, brothers, and three young children, along with his manager Boris Grinberg are keeping constant vigil at the hospital, according to the press release.

“We are going to do what we need to do for Magomed. He and his family are going to need our help,” Lewkowicz said in the press release. “He is going to need financial assistance for the medical bills for his treatment, and for his family who are faced with an urgent financial crunch from this terrible accident.”

Lewkowicz says he has already received many offers from people in the boxing industry, including one from middleweight world champion, Sergio Martinez.

“We cannot, as a boxing family, turn our backs on the brave men and women who compete in our sport when they need us most. We are going to do everything possible to help him get back on his feet. Magomed will never fight again, but he is a good man and a brave man with a nice family. We are going to make sure they all pull through this intact. That is the right thing to do. Every dollar will help.”

The Magomed Abdusalamov Trust is currently being set up. In the meantime, donations can be made two ways:

Via PayPal: [email protected]

Or via check, mailed to:

Bakanay Abdusalamova

PO BOX 90174

Brooklyn, NY 11209