Joseph George and Atif Oberlton were slotted as the co-main event on the Claressa Shields vs. Franchon Crews-Dezurn card. Oberlton won the opening round of the fight, but things would take on a different tone before the second round.
George collapsed off his stool between the first and second rounds and was down on the mat. He was in his corner drinking water before falling out of his stool.
George was quickly attended to by doctors at the ringside and the fight was waved off. Oberlton looked very surprised and confused about what happened.
It appeared that George and Oberlton may have accidentally bumped heads late in the first round.
Prayers for Joe George jr as he passes out walking to his stool from a non contact accident🤯 pic.twitter.com/fVy3TYk56y
— Unbiasedbox2 (@Unbiasedbox2) February 23, 2026
Joseph George collapsed in between rds vs Atif Olberlton at the Clarissa Sheila’s fight pic.twitter.com/uUueyQDydH
— R (@Ready4R_) February 23, 2026
George was still in need of assistance as he made his way out of the ring. He was sat down on a stretcher to be wheeled out. Oberlton was declared the winner by TKO.
Here is Houston boxer Joe George Jr leaving the ring after collapsing at the end of his first round match vs. Atif Oberlton in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/cq6gwl7f5H
— Eric Woodyard (@E_Woodyard) February 23, 2026
"I know I was being defensively responsible, if he fell in and a head butt happened, I just know I avoided the shot," Oberlton told DAZN's Chris Mannix after the fight. "I'm glad he got on his feet and he's OK."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Boxer Joseph George collapses during fight vs Atif Oberlton