Eric WoodyardFeb 22, 2026, 10:54 PM ET

CloseEric Woodyard covers the Detroit Lions for ESPN. He joined ESPN in September 2019 as an NBA reporter dedicated to the Midwest region before switching to his current role in April 2021. The Flint, Mich. native is a graduate of Western Michigan University and has authored/co-authored three books: “Wasted,” “Ethan’s Talent Search” and “All In: The Kelvin Torbert Story”. He is a proud parent of one son, Ethan.

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DETROIT — In what was a scary scene at Little Caesars Arena, boxer Joe George Jr. left the ring on a stretcher after he collapsed in his corner following the first round of his light heavyweight fight against Atif Oberlton on Sunday night.

George was in stable condition, according to his trainer Hylon Williams, and was undergoing an MRI at a local hospital.

George and Oberlton, who were part of the Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn undercard, butted heads in the opening round. After the round ended, George fell out of his stool while sitting in his corner, as he prepared to take instructions from his trainers.

George, who is from Houston, regained consciousness but was unable to continue.

Trainers check on Joe George Jr. after he collapsed in his corner following the first round of his light heavyweight fight against Atif Oberlton. Lon Horwedel/AP

Oberlton, from Philadelphia, was deemed the winner by TKO.

“I think that it affected me mentally, which I already know — every time I go into the ring, I say a prayer to God, and this is no joke,” Oberlton said. “It impacted me in a way that anything can happen.”

Oberlton (15-0) instantly embraced George after he regained consciousness. George (13-2) was then left the ring on a stretcher.

“Just like, ‘I got love for you bro.’ It’s cool,” Oberlton said of what he told George. “I just wanted to make sure he was safe.”

Oberlton said he was in disbelief when he saw George pass out on the stool. He also said he hoped George was OK moving forward to continue his career.

“I’ve never seen nothing like that before in my life in the sport of boxing,” Oberlton said. “I was really concerned because we all want to go in there and we want to do what we want to do and impose our will on our opponents, but we always want to leave and I’m an advocate for that.

“As a fighter you want to leave the same way you came in.”