Hospital notes say Reuben warned George not to play sports while in this condition, and father and son left. During the car ride home, Diamond had increased giving boxing a break.
“I said to him, 'Georgie, maybe you should give up boxing for a while,'” Diamond told the inquest into his son's death.
George Diamond had emergency surgery to release the pressure on his brain. His life support was turned off soon after.
“He said, 'Dad, the owners of the gym have said I'm fine, they've let me drive home, two GPs have said I'm fine, a doctor at the hospital has said you don't even need to scan. We have to trust what they say, because they are professionals.” “
After the incident, the gym suspended George on medical grounds, but his father said he had continued to attend fitness classes.
In late January, George asked Hajbabaie for medical clearance to return to boxing, a requirement to participate in an amateur bout on February 2, which was granted.
But after training on February 18, George collapsed in the gym and was taken to hospital. Emergency surgery to relieve pressure on his brain was unsuccessful and he died on 21 February.
State Coroner John Cain tries to unravel the events that led to George Diamond's death, how the two boxing incidents might be connected, and whether the doctors' treatment played a role.
Vic Diamond said his son was part of an “incredibly close” family, a devoted friend and a keen sportsman.
“In the last five years I've cried a lot,” she said.
After George's death, family members accessed his phone and sent material to the court that they say shows he had been attending the gym while suspended.
loading
Former Sting Gym co-owner John Paule said the gym lifted George's suspension on Jan. 11 after a phone call with him. That was two weeks before a doctor gave Diamond the all-clear to fight again.
Roisin Annesley, KC, for the gym, asked Vic Diamond at the end of his trial if he agreed that the Sting Gym staff cared about his son.
“If someone cares about someone, they don't put their life in danger,” he replied. “If you care about him, you don't put him back in the ring.
“If you loved and cared for someone, you wouldn't put their life in danger. Come on.”
The investigation continues.
The morningThe ing Edition newsletter is our guide to the day's most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Register here.
