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Boxer wakes up after two months in coma

Diaz, 25, collapsed in his corner following 10th round of loss on July 16

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SportsTicker
updated 12:27 p.m. ET Sept. 18, 2008

SAN ANTONIO - Oscar Diaz, who fell into a coma more than two months ago due to a brain injury, is now breathing on his own, a San Antonio University Hospital spokesman said Thursday.

Julie Wiley told PA SportsTicker that Diaz has been upgraded from critical to stable condition.

"He's been opening his eyes and showing improvement every day," Wiley said. "He is now off the ventilator and breathing on his own."

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Dr. David Jimenez is scheduled to appear at a news conference at the hospital later Thursday to update Diaz's condition.

"It's very exciting to see Oscar open his eyes. He's a fighter and I believe he will get better," his mother, Theresa Diaz, said in a statement."

Diaz, 25, collapsed in his corner following the 10th round of a technical knockout loss to Delvin Rodriguez on July 16. He underwent a two-hour operation to relieve swelling on his brain and had been in a coma since.

After the surgery, doctors said it could take at least a week for Diaz to emerge from the coma.

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