by David P. Greisman

More than a year and a half has passed since Magomed Abdusalamov lost to Mike Perez, a fight that left him in a coma and has rendered him partially paralyzed and forever changed.

There have been multiple battles going on since then. Abdusalamov struggles to live in a markedly diminished capacity. His family, particularly his wife, struggles to care for him and for their children.

And then there is the legal battle.

An attorney representing Abdusalamov had filed a lawsuit against the New York State Athletic Commission, alleging that the commission’s physicians had failed to properly diagnose the brain injury he suffered in 10 rounds against Perez while examining him after the bout, and that they had not sent him to the hospital via ambulance even after his condition was worsening.

Now New York has filed a counterclaim against his trainer, interpreter, manager and two promoters, according to William Weinbaum of ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.”

“The attorney general's suit says if Abdusalamov suffered any damage or injuries due to negligence, then the negligence was ‘in whole or in part’ from his trainer, interpreter, manager and two promoters,” the article said. “The filing specifically cited their responsibility regarding possible stoppage of the fight, pursuit of the use of the ambulance and ensuring clear communications about his condition. Two of the five handlers named were not in Abdusalamov's corner that night, while two others who were — his cut man and his brother — were not named in [the] lawsuit.”

Abdusalamov, now 34, was 18-1 as a pro with 18 knockouts. The lawsuit that his family hoped would provide for him is dragging out, according to the article, as not a single potential witness in the case has been called in to provide a deposition.

Pick up a copy of David’s book, “Fighting Words: The Heart and Heartbreak of Boxing,” at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsamazon or internationally at http://bit.ly/fightingwordsworldwide. Send questions/comments via email at fightingwords1@gmail.com