Patrick Day Dies at 27 After Brain Injury in Chicago Fight

American boxer Patrick Day died on October 16, 2019, at the age of 27. His death came four days after he suffered a traumatic brain injury during his fight with Charles Conwell in Chicago.

World champion Regis Prograis spoke about the impression Day had made on him. “He was real cool. A real good person who was full of life and always smiling. He seemed like a real happy person,” Prograis said.

Day compiled a professional record of 17-4-1 over the course of his career. He captured the WBC Continental Americas title and the IBF Intercontinental title.

Following the fight with Day, Charles Conwell struggled with guilt.

Day’s longtime trainer and friend Joe Higgins reached out to Conwell to reassure him that nobody blamed him for Day’s death. “Patrick was born across the street from me so our relationship is special. He would have wanted you to continue,” Higgins said.

Day was born in Freeport, New York, on August 9, 1992. He turned professional in 2013 after a successful amateur career.

In his amateur career, Day won two national titles, including the New York Golden Gloves. He was an alternate for the United States Olympic boxing team in 2012. Day also earned college degrees in Food and Nutrition and Health and Wellness.

Day mentored youngsters at the Freeport PAL boxing gym. Before his final fight, he shared a Facebook message. “But I’m just glad that there are more positive people who spread love and healthy vibes than there are negative people who project bad energy,” Day wrote.

What does Patrick Day’s story mean to you, and how do you hope the boxing community remembers him?