updated 7:54 p.m. ET July 18, 2008

SAN ANTONIO - Welterweight boxer Oscar Diaz remains in critical but stable condition two days after collapsing during a fight, but the doctor who performed surgery on him said he should survive.

Dr. David Jimenez said Diaz is still in a coma, but that is to be expected after a severe brain injury.

“Overall, I think ultimately he should survive the injury and should recover,” Jimenez said.

But Jimenez said it’s too early to tell whether the 25-year-old Diaz, who collapsed before the 11th round of the televised USBA welterweight championship fight Wednesday night, will be able to lead a normal life.

“I think the fact that he’s young, the fact that he’s healthy, the fact that he doesn’t have a whole lot of medical problems, is on his side,” said Jimenez, who removed a piece of Diaz’s skull to relieve brain swelling.

Also helping matters was the quick care Diaz received ringside and his fast transport to San Antonio’s University Hospital for surgery, Jimenez said.

The 5-foot-10, 147-pound fighter was taking a beating from Delvin Rodriguez in the fight before he collapsed onto his stool in his corner. Referees stopped the fight, declaring Rodriguez the winner by technical knockout.

Jimenez said the swelling, which was accompanied by a small amount of blood on the brain, has gone down. He said Diaz is on a ventilator to protect his airway, but that he is breathing on his own.

“I would expect that he would be in this state probably for the next couple of weeks and then slowly the recovery will take place,” Jimenez told reporters.

Ron Katz, a matchmaker for Star Boxing, which promoted the fight, said Thursday that injuries like Diaz’s are usually career-ending.

Diaz’s promoter, Donna Duva-Brooks, said his camp is encouraged by his progress.

“We’re all devastated by this,” a statement said, noting that Duva-Brooks’ husband is Diaz’s trainer and her father is his manager. “He’s been a son to us for the past 12 years and we hope and pray he recovers from this injury.”

Diaz’s mother, Theresa, said in the statement that “we’ve been overwhelmed by the love and support we’ve received from everyone. It’s helped us stay strong for Oscar during this difficult time.”

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