Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 6, 1994 TAG: 9407060049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: COLUMBUS, OHIO LENGTH: Medium
WBNS-TV reported the condition of Douglas, 34, was upgraded from poor to stable at Grant Medical Center on Tuesday afternoon.
Hospital officials declined to comment, and hospital spokeswoman Karen Waldbillig said the family asked that no information be released.
Unidentified relatives of the former boxer had told the TV station Douglas was taken to the hospital Monday and had slipped in and out of a coma since then. They said Tuesday afternoon his condition was improving.
It was not known whether Douglas previously had been diagnosed as a diabetic or which form of the disease he might have. In some cases, if diabetes goes untreated, the victim may go into a coma, which can lead to death.
Douglas' father, Bill, could not be reached for comment. A man who answered the phone at Bill Douglas' home Tuesday morning identified himself as a friend of the family and said he knew nothing of the former fighter's condition. He would not confirm Douglas was in the hospital. There was no answer at the home Tuesday afternoon.
Phone messages seeking comment from the fighter's business manager, Lawrence Nallie, were not returned.
Douglas, a Columbus native, was a 42-1 underdog when he won the title in February 1990 with a 10th-round knockout of undefeated Mike Tyson in Tokyo. Eight months later, Douglas - looking out of shape - lost his first title defense in three rounds to Evander Holyfield.
Douglas received $24.1 million for the Holyfield fight. He finished his career with a record of 30-5-1. He used some of his winnings to build a community center in his old neighborhood.
Douglas said he was content with life outside the ring, but he also faced problems away from the spotlight.
In 1993, a jury ruled Douglas owed his hometown $293,163 in taxes from the purse for the fight with Holyfield.
He was acquitted of drunken-driving charges in 1992, but was convicted of speeding.
by CNB