Shannan Taylor is on life support after suffering a drug overdose

jofre · 11-28-2011, 12:34 PM

Australian world middleweight boxing champion Shannan Taylor is on life support after suffering a drug overdose.
Doctors are monitoring Taylor's condition but the Daily Telegraph is reporting the life support machine is expected to be switched off tomorrow.
PHOTOS: Shannan "Bulli Blaster" Taylor
A spokeswoman for Wollongong Hospital told ninemsn the 39-year-old remained in a critical condition after being admitted this morning — despite premature rumours of Taylor's demise.
Anthony Mundine fought and beat Taylor at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre in 2009.
As the video above shows, after the fight Taylor said he was proud to be part of the "Mundine Show".
Mundine today mistakenly thought Taylor had already died and paid tribute to him on Twitter: "I just heard about Shannon Taylor!!! DRUGS is killing a lot of people...rest in peace my man! He was a good guy!"
But then he corrected himself: "So Shannon is still kicking! Good news!!!"
Taylor, known as the "Bulli Blaster", became WBF champ just last month after defeating Thailand's Sintung Kietbusaba in Wollongong.
He admitted to having a drug problem early last decade but got his career back on track after three devastating losses in 2001.
But his most famous fight was a loss to "Sugar" Shane Mosely for the WBC welterweight title in 2001 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas.
He has a 52-10 record, including 37 knockouts.

Jackyle · 11-28-2011, 12:54 PM

He is in my prayers.

kenyan_cheena · 11-28-2011, 06:03 PM

Doesn't look good for him.

Jackyle · 11-28-2011, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenyan_cheena

Doesn't look good for him.

News seems to be coming in that he is improving. I really hope so for his families sake.

kenyan_cheena · 11-29-2011, 06:15 PM

Yep, it is quite a remarkable story. On Monday night they were saying his life support machine was going to be switched off on Tuesday, now less than two days later it's been reported that he is actually sitting up in his bed. Amazing.

Jackyle · 11-29-2011, 06:17 PM

I guess that's why they call them fighters

jofre · 11-29-2011, 07:52 PM

Taylor sits up in hospital after waking from suspected drug overdose

by Mike Gandon, Peter FitzGerald and Ben Langford

Encouraging signs...Shannan Taylor's health has improved since he was admitted to hospital on Monday

THE WBF middleweight champion Shannan Taylor sat up in his hospital bed yesterday, his grateful father Steve said last night.

''He opened his eyes, then shut them again. And he squeezed the nurse's hand,'' Steve said.

''He moved and sat up.''

Taylor was admitted to Wollongong Hospital in the early hours of Monday morning following a suspected drug overdose. He was placed on life support, and family and friends feared for his life.

Taylor's health has gradually improved during his first 24 hours in hospital, where he was able to take some breaths on his own.

However, it wasn't until about 4pm yesterday he showed signs of movement.

His parents, Steve and Karren, have spent the majority of the past 36 hours at Wollongong Hospital with their son, as have some other family members and friends. Steve did not hide the fact that the challenge facing his son was massive.

''I don't think there's words to describe it actually,'' Steve said.

''It's up to him as well but God's the one that's got the controlling hand here.''

It emerged yesterday that Taylor's night of partying included a long drinking session with two other men that ended at the home of his manager Rod ''Croc'' Van Akker, the promoter for his recent fights.

For Taylor, it was the culmination of a long Sunday night that included stops at the Towradgi Beach Hotel and, witnesses said, the Towradgi Bowling Club.

Van Akker said he called triple-0 as soon as he realised Taylor was in trouble and their attempts to revive him didn't succeed.

''It was at my house,'' he said yesterday. ''I was the person that called the ambulance. I was definitely, definitely part of getting him to the hospital as soon as possible.''

The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after another man arrived at Van Akker's house early on Monday morning and found Taylor lying unconscious.

An ambulance was called about 6.30am and arrived within a few minutes, answering a call for a suspected drug overdose.

Van Akker was reluctant to talk about how Taylor came to need urgent medical attention.

He did not want to comment on whether Taylor or others had been taking drugs, saying his main concern was for the fighter's welfare.

''I was asleep at the time,'' he said. ''How he got there, we can't turn back time. He's got three beautiful kids. Right now his well-being is my main concern.''

One staff member at the Towradgi Beach Hotel said he saw Taylor there drinking with ''a couple of mates'' about 3pm. ''He's always well behaved,'' the staff member said.

Witnesses at the Towradgi Bowling Club said they saw Taylor having a quiet drink with two women about 6.30pm. One said Taylor ''seemed in good spirits from a distance''.

Club management could not confirm if Taylor was at the venue.

Van Akker, through his business Crocodile Promotions, was the promoter for Taylor's past two fights, including his victory over Thai boxer Sintung Kietbusaba in Wollongong in October.

Taylor's former trainer and still close friend Brad Gallagher has been one of the friends at his bedside.

''Shannan is still on the life support machines to help him breathe but everything is going well,'' he said.

According to friends Taylor was relaxed and happy on Saturday, and his trainer, Nudge Mieli, said he was as fit as he had been in years.

Courtesy: the Sydney Morning Herald

Lee · 12-01-2011, 11:06 AM

Wow, amazing turnaround, though still a long way to go. Keep fighting Shannan!!

hamed2 · 12-01-2011, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jackyle

I guess that's why they call them fighters

yeah, a really tough guy! Too bad he had these problems all his life.

11-28-2011, 12:34 PM	#1
jofre Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 2,139	Shannan Taylor is on life support after suffering a drug overdose Australian world middleweight boxing champion Shannan Taylor is on life support after suffering a drug overdose. Doctors are monitoring Taylor's condition but the Daily Telegraph is reporting the life support machine is expected to be switched off tomorrow. PHOTOS: Shannan "Bulli Blaster" Taylor A spokeswoman for Wollongong Hospital told ninemsn the 39-year-old remained in a critical condition after being admitted this morning — despite premature rumours of Taylor's demise. Anthony Mundine fought and beat Taylor at the Wollongong Entertainment Centre in 2009. As the video above shows, after the fight Taylor said he was proud to be part of the "Mundine Show". Mundine today mistakenly thought Taylor had already died and paid tribute to him on Twitter: "I just heard about Shannon Taylor!!! DRUGS is killing a lot of people...rest in peace my man! He was a good guy!" But then he corrected himself: "So Shannon is still kicking! Good news!!!" Taylor, known as the "Bulli Blaster", became WBF champ just last month after defeating Thailand's Sintung Kietbusaba in Wollongong. He admitted to having a drug problem early last decade but got his career back on track after three devastating losses in 2001. But his most famous fight was a loss to "Sugar" Shane Mosely for the WBC welterweight title in 2001 at Caesars Palace, Las Vegas. He has a 52-10 record, including 37 knockouts. __________________ jofre

11-29-2011, 07:52 PM	#7
jofre Hall Of Famer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 2,139	Taylor sits up in hospital after waking from suspected drug overdose Taylor sits up in hospital after waking from suspected drug overdose by Mike Gandon, Peter FitzGerald and Ben Langford Encouraging signs...Shannan Taylor's health has improved since he was admitted to hospital on Monday THE WBF middleweight champion Shannan Taylor sat up in his hospital bed yesterday, his grateful father Steve said last night. ''He opened his eyes, then shut them again. And he squeezed the nurse's hand,'' Steve said. ''He moved and sat up.'' Taylor was admitted to Wollongong Hospital in the early hours of Monday morning following a suspected drug overdose. He was placed on life support, and family and friends feared for his life. Taylor's health has gradually improved during his first 24 hours in hospital, where he was able to take some breaths on his own. However, it wasn't until about 4pm yesterday he showed signs of movement. His parents, Steve and Karren, have spent the majority of the past 36 hours at Wollongong Hospital with their son, as have some other family members and friends. Steve did not hide the fact that the challenge facing his son was massive. ''I don't think there's words to describe it actually,'' Steve said. ''It's up to him as well but God's the one that's got the controlling hand here.'' It emerged yesterday that Taylor's night of partying included a long drinking session with two other men that ended at the home of his manager Rod ''Croc'' Van Akker, the promoter for his recent fights. For Taylor, it was the culmination of a long Sunday night that included stops at the Towradgi Beach Hotel and, witnesses said, the Towradgi Bowling Club. Van Akker said he called triple-0 as soon as he realised Taylor was in trouble and their attempts to revive him didn't succeed. ''It was at my house,'' he said yesterday. ''I was the person that called the ambulance. I was definitely, definitely part of getting him to the hospital as soon as possible.'' The Herald understands that the alarm was raised after another man arrived at Van Akker's house early on Monday morning and found Taylor lying unconscious. An ambulance was called about 6.30am and arrived within a few minutes, answering a call for a suspected drug overdose. Van Akker was reluctant to talk about how Taylor came to need urgent medical attention. He did not want to comment on whether Taylor or others had been taking drugs, saying his main concern was for the fighter's welfare. ''I was asleep at the time,'' he said. ''How he got there, we can't turn back time. He's got three beautiful kids. Right now his well-being is my main concern.'' One staff member at the Towradgi Beach Hotel said he saw Taylor there drinking with ''a couple of mates'' about 3pm. ''He's always well behaved,'' the staff member said. Witnesses at the Towradgi Bowling Club said they saw Taylor having a quiet drink with two women about 6.30pm. One said Taylor ''seemed in good spirits from a distance''. Club management could not confirm if Taylor was at the venue. Van Akker, through his business Crocodile Promotions, was the promoter for Taylor's past two fights, including his victory over Thai boxer Sintung Kietbusaba in Wollongong in October. Taylor's former trainer and still close friend Brad Gallagher has been one of the friends at his bedside. ''Shannan is still on the life support machines to help him breathe but everything is going well,'' he said. According to friends Taylor was relaxed and happy on Saturday, and his trainer, Nudge Mieli, said he was as fit as he had been in years. Courtesy: the Sydney Morning Herald __________________ jofre

11-28-2011, 12:54 PM	#2
Jackyle Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 10,394	He is in my prayers.

11-28-2011, 06:03 PM	#3
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	Doesn't look good for him.

11-29-2011, 06:15 PM	#5
kenyan_cheena Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia Posts: 9,037	Yep, it is quite a remarkable story. On Monday night they were saying his life support machine was going to be switched off on Tuesday, now less than two days later it's been reported that he is actually sitting up in his bed. Amazing.

11-29-2011, 06:17 PM	#6
Jackyle Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Connecticut Posts: 10,394	I guess that's why they call them fighters

12-01-2011, 11:06 AM	#8
Lee Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: The Scorched Desert Posts: 4,653	Wow, amazing turnaround, though still a long way to go. Keep fighting Shannan!!