Michael Conlan is among boxers and the combat sports community who have come together to support a Dublin fighter who suffered a horrific injury last weekend.
Ryan Curtis suffered potentially “life-altering” injuries following a bizarre incident during training in Belfast last weekend.
According to reports and a statement posted via a GoFundMe account, the MMA flyweight suffered a broken back, neck, spinal dislocation during training and lost the use of his arms and legs.
The 31-year-old’s accident drew attention and galvanized the tight-knit MMA and boxing communities.
Former UFC champion Conor McGregor, SBG Ireland head coach John Kavanagh, Owen Roddy, Paddy Holahan and Bellator featherweight Leah McCourt all donated money and rallied to raise awareness of the need for funds. Boxers, Conlan and his close friend Keane McMahon, among others, have done the same.
Former Crumlin amateur boxer McGregor has donated £25,000, Michael Conlan is listed for £1,000 and will auction off his fight gear from his last fight to raise more funds.
Speaking online, Conlan said: “A friend and fellow fighter, Ryan Curtis, suffered serious, life-changing injuries while training. I’m auctioning off the fight kit from my last fight to help raise money for it. The offer can be made here on my twitter. Link to donate below https://gofund.me/84c01442.”
A friend and fellow fighter, Ryan Curtis, suffered serious, life-changing injuries while training. I’m auctioning off the fight kit from my last fight to help raise money for it. The offer can be made here on my twitter. Link to donate below https://t.co/i2doBq2rB3 pic.twitter.com/W0wCWbqGsK
– Michael Conlan (@mickconlan11) January 14, 2024
The GoFundMe was set up by training partner and “best friend” McCourt and detailed the difficult road ahead for the Dubliner.
“Ryan will be out of work for the foreseeable future and we are trying to alleviate any additional burden or stress on Ryan’s family and daughter by creating a fundraising page to help with rehabilitation, life-saving treatment, recovery and support for his family”. the fundraising page says.
“The way forward is unknown and will involve at least five months in hospital, followed by a further period with a specialist spine team. There is no exact end date for when this treatment will be completed.
“He is understandably distressed at the moment, we have limited access to see him. He is in the ICU and will hopefully be moved to the spinal ward when conditions improve. He still shows the positive attitude of him, the determination and mentality of him to overcome another challenge that life has presented to him.”
