Three days after knocking out a fellow boxer who later died in hospital, Adam Braidwood posted a video to Twitter about what happened to his opponent Tim Hague, whom he called his friend.
“Everybody saw me celebrating but nobody saw me pick up Tim, carry him to the corner and tell him that I love him,” a clearly emotional Braidwood said in a video Monday evening. “I haven’t made a statement because I didn’t know what I could say or do that would help in any way.”
Hague died Sunday afternoon after two days in hospital in critical condition surrounded by family. He lost the KO Boxing bout against Braidwood at Edmonton’s Shaw Conference Centre by a knockout.
READ MORE: ‘Gentle giant’ Tim Hague dies Sunday after Edmonton boxing match
“Tim and I were friends,” Braidwood said. “We spoke beforehand. We just wanted to make a beautiful fight for everyone and that’s what this was all about.”
The City of Edmonton has said it will commission a third-party review looking into the match between Hague, an elementary school teacher and former UFC fighter, and Braidwood, a former football player with the Edmonton Eskimos.
READ MORE: Third-party review to be done on boxing match after Tim Hague dies
Watch below: Tim Hague died in hospital Sunday after a knockout blow during a boxing match Friday in Edmonton. Now, the city says a third-party review will take place. Tom Vernon reports.
In his video, Braidwood said he had already spoken to Hague’s family to offer his condolences and also offered gratitiude for people who have sent him messages of support following the tragic aftermath of Friday’s fight.
“I just want everybody to help Tim’s family, that’s what this should really be about,” Braidwood said. “Instead of leaving a comment, contact his family. I know they set up an account. Help them any way that you can and… try to leave it at that.”
Hague’s family has set up a GoFundMe account to raise money for funeral expenses and other related costs. As of 10 p.m. on Monday, more than $26,000 had been donated.
Hague, who was 34, leaves behind a nine-year-old son, Brady, who friends say was a huge source of motivation for him. Hague, who was originally from Boyle, Alta., was also a coach at the UFC Gym in Sherwood Park.
Braidwood played in the Canadian Football League from 2006 to 2010. The Edmonton Eskimos released him in the spring of 2011.
-With files from Emily Mertz
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