Former Light Heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson has suffered a “severe traumatic brain injury” after he was knocked out by Oleksandr Gvozdyk in Quebec City on Saturday.

Stevenson, 41 has had surgery and remains in intensive care, the hospital released a statement saying:.

“Mr Stevenson underwent surgery on the night of Saturday to Sunday and has since been hospitalised in the intensive care unit,” said Dr Alexis Turgeon, a specialist in intensive care medicine at the Enfant-Jesus Hospital of the CHU de Quebec-Universite Laval.

“He suffers from severe traumatic brain injury. Although critical, his situation remains stable under the circumstances.

“His condition requires mechanical respiratory support, deep sedation and specialized neurological monitoring.”

His promoter Yvon Michel tweeted his thanks on behalf of Stevenson’s wife and family: “Thank you for your many messages of encouragement and support. #Superman is currently under careful medical supervision of very competent doctors in a controlled environment. #hope.”

The World Boxing Council tweeted after the fight on Saturday: “The WBC and boxing community from the world join in prayers for the safe recovery of our dear friend, great fighter and exemplary human being @AdonisSuperman.”