The Ohio Court of Claims has approved a $275,000 settlement for the family of a boxer who died from head injuries sustained during his professional debut in Youngstown. The boxer's family had filed a $25 million lawsuit against the Ohio Athletic Commission (OAC) in 2017, alleging negligence and recklessness in licensing and assigning officials to the event.
Ali Al-Jahmi, father of the deceased boxer Hamzah Al-Jahmi, accused the commission of appointing an unqualified referee and ringside physician for the "Season's Beatings" boxing event. Hamzah, who had been boxing since he was 12 years old, participated in his first professional bout in December 2015. He was knocked down three times in the first round and collapsed without being hit in the fourth round due to what he described as a twisted knee. He became unconscious shortly after and died three days later at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital following emergency surgery for a traumatic brain injury.
Al-Jahmi blamed bout officials and the commission for his son's death, claiming that referee Wilfredo Osorio failed to recognize concussion symptoms early on and that ringside doctor James Armile did not adequately assess Hamzah's condition. Emergency medical technician Stephanie Schiavone had already expressed concerns about Hamzah's state before his collapse.
In response to the lawsuit, which included allegations of negligence or recklessness against both Osorio and Armile, the OAC sought summary judgment from the Court of Claims citing statutory immunity and arguing that Hamzah assumed inherent risks by participating in boxing. While some claims were dismissed based on this immunity, others required further evidence to determine potential recklessness by OAC officials.
The Tenth District Court of Appeals remanded parts of the case back to the Court of Claims after finding that statutory immunity did not protect against claims of reckless appointment or oversight by OAC officials. This led to pretrial conferences where both parties eventually reached a settlement.
Judge David E. Cain approved a $275,000 payment from OAC to Ali Al-Jahmi in August 2024, officially closing Case No. 2017-00986JD.
For more information on this case or other court opinions, visit the Court of Claims website.