Boxing announcer David Diamante has been badly injured in a motorcycle crash in New York.
Diamante, 50, was rushed to hospital after being involved in an incident in Third Avenue in Brooklyn, New York on Monday in which he suffered three fractures to his spine, multiple broken ribs and serious damage to his right knee.
Affectionately known as "The Voice of Boxing", Diamante was taken to New York medical centre NYU Langone Health, Boxing Scene reports.
The boxing announcer is said to have undergone five hours of surgery on Tuesday during which nine screws, multiple rods, and cadaver parts were inserted in his spine.
The report adds he is now "fully lucid" following his surgery and the announcer has now spoken about his road to recovery.
In an update issued on Wednesday, Diamante said: "It's going to be a tough road. It's a bad injury and getting better will take some time.
"This will be a struggle. I'll have to learn to walk again, and right now there's a risk of complications. But I have a positive attitude and will be back as soon as possible."
Nathan Lewkowicz, the vice president of Sampson Boxing, tweeted to say Diamante had told him he is "confident he'll be back from this injury."
He wrote: "Just got off the phone with my friend @daviddiamante, he's very confident he'll be back from this injury."
The boxing world has come together to send their best wishes to the announcer following the news.
Boxer Ivan Redkach tweeted: "@daviddiamante - fast recovery my friend. God blessed."
Former British, Commonwealth, IBF bantamweight and World champion Stuart Hall tweeted: "Our thoughts and prayers with @daviddiamante."
Enzo Maccarinelli tweeted: "Terrible news what a top bloke thoughts and prayers are with you mate @daviddiamante x."
Lerrone Richards tweeted: "Speedy Recovery @daviddiamante."
Diamante is one of the most famous boxing announcers in the world and has announced a variety of events on HBO, Showtime, ESPN, DAZN, Fox Sports, NBC, CBS, and Sky Sports.
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