Dadashev was the slight favorite entering the fight against Matias with victories over former lightweight champions Darley Perez and Antonio DeMarco and Matias was untested without a victory of note other than a win over fading veteran Bredis Prescott.
However, despite a game effort by Dadashev, it was Matias taking a large lead on the scorecards with a power punching attack that slowly wore down Dadashev.
When trainer Buddy McGirt waved the fight off in the corner before the final round, Dadashev protested briefly, but allowing him to come out in poor condition, needing a KO to win would have been foolhardy and that decision seemed to be the right one as Dadashev nearly collapsed to the floor leaving the ring and would be almost carried to the dressing room.
Dadashev then began to vomit and an ambulance was immediately called for him to be taken to a local hospital, where he would undergo two-hour brain surgery to attempt to alleviate bleeding on the brain.
Dadashev was placed in a medically-induced coma with hopes that the swelling would decrease, but that did not happen and he would not regain consciousness again.
Dadashev leaves behind a wife and a young son.
Maxim Dadashev knew the risks involved in professional boxing and took those risks willingly.
That's what professionals take into the ring in any combat sport- the possibility of a severe injury that can affect the quality of one's life and on some rare occasions cost them their life.
It's what is different about boxing and as Max Kellerman has said rings true "You play Baseball, You play Football, No one plays Boxing"
It's also the best and worst of our sport.
The gallantry of a fighter far behind on the cards with a title fight on the line fighting for an opportunity for that final round to try to win, despite the injuries that would end his life and the worst is as simple as a life gone far too soon.
Many will question the sport and you might be surprised to read that I am all for those questions.
Nothing evolves without asking questions on what can be developed to make things better, make things safer and yet do so without changing what makes the sport so dramatic and appealing despite the risks and chances that every fighter takes every time that they step between the ropes.
In the end, a quote I've heard but I don't know whom to attribute it to rings home the most- "You mourn the loss, but you don't wear the black armband forever".
Boxing mourns but moves on.
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