Former UFC rival reveals drama with fighter's death: 'I was on my knees'

A. Braidwood consoles T. Hague (Photo: Reproduction/Twitter/braidwoodboxing)

Boxer Adam Braidwood used social media to describe his feelings following the death of Tim Hague, whom he knocked out in a boxing duel held last Saturday. A former UFC athlete, Hague was knocked unconscious by Braidwood's blow and died less than two days later as a result of brain injuries sustained in the fight.

In a video posted on his personal Twitter account, Braidwood absolved the duel's central referee of any blame, as Hague was conscious during the duel and asking to continue fighting, refusing to give up.

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“It wasn’t anyone’s fault, least of all the referee. He asked if Tim wanted to keep fighting. He was conscious, responding clearly to what was asked. I saw the video. Tim was conscious, and said he wanted to fight again. This is the truth, there is no speculation about it. He wanted to keep fighting, and we fought,” declared the Canadian, who also spoke about his reaction to seeing Hague's fallen and unconscious body.

"I knew. I saw it still in the ring. I saw the way he fell. I waited on my knees, hoping Tim would move after my stupid celebration. People can say what they want, but I was there on my knees, watching, wanting him to move. I raised him because his team was having difficulty doing so. I took him to the corner, and I could see his face,” he described.

Finally, Braidwood also countered the criticism he received and directed at Hague, who suffered consecutive knockouts in MMA and BOE in recent months and, even so, continued fighting.

“What do these people know? They don't fight. He wanted to keep fighting. Journalists, fans, this or that... They don't know what they're talking about. Do they want to give their opinion on what we're doing from the perspective of their country club lives? Tim wanted to continue the fight. That was his job. If people want to talk about boxing and what life is like for me, then come take my place. I would have done the same as him, and he would have done the same to me. You can be sure,” he concluded.