Boxing ring announcer David Diamante has been left with critical injuries after a motorcycle crash yesterday.
The 50-year-old, who announced some of the biggest fights of the last few years including Jake Paul's professional debut, will need to "learn to walk again" after being involved in an accident in New York yesterday.
He required five hours of surgery after being admitted to a New York hospital, with nine screws, multiple rods, and cadaver parts placed in his spine as a result of the crash.
The ring announcer also suffered multiple broken ribs and damage to his right knee during the crash, which took place on Third Avenue in Brooklyn
Diamante has received hundreds of messages of support after the crash, including posts from Paul, Eddie Hearn and a number of top fighters.
The Baltimore native is one of the most renowned ring announcers in the world, and has been called "The Voice of Boxing" by BBC Sport.
"It's going to be a tough road," Diamante told BoxingScene.
"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."
Diamante is famous for his catchphrase "the fight starts now", and has been signed with DAZN and Matchroom Boxing since 2018.
His most recent assignment was Saturday night's heavyweight clash between Joseph Parker and Derek Chisora at the AO Arena in Manchester, which Parker won by unanimous decision.
He has also covered Muay Thai and MMA events, as well as appearing in films and television projects such as 2015's Southpaw starring Jake Gyllenhal.
The American was also hand selected by rapper Jay-Z to become the official voice of NBA team the Brooklyn Nets before they moved to the Barclays Center in 2012.
"Prayers up for a speedy recovery," Paul tweeted to his 4.1million followers.
"Terrible news, my thoughts and prayers with my friend David Diamante," said Olympian Michael Conlan.
"Prayers up for David Diamante who’s just begun recovery from a awful motorcycle accident," added veteran promoter Lou DiBella in an emotional social media post.
"Positive energy to him for a swift recovery and rehab. He has very serious injuries, but sounds good, can move everything, and his prognosis, with time and work, is good. Miracle."
The boxing announcer was in contact with fellow mic legend Michael Buffer after the surgery, who said that he is expected to make a return to the ring once he has recovered.
"I spoke to him today and he’s very optimistic," Buffer said in a response to a fan on Twitter. "David’s a fighter and has met big challenges in his life.
"This will be another one!
"The details will be his to disclose but I’m sure we’ll see him back in the ring again - strong, fit and recovered!"
