Boxer Robert Benson Dies

BOSTON (AP) â€” A boxer who collapsed into a coma after a fight last week died Wednesday without regaining consciousness. <br><br>Robert Benson, 24, a featherweight from Saugus who fought under the ring

Thursday, October 26th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

BOSTON (AP) â€” A boxer who collapsed into a coma after a fight last week died Wednesday without regaining consciousness.

Robert Benson, 24, a featherweight from Saugus who fought under the ring name Bobby Tomasello, died at New England Medical Center.

Benson had just fought Steve Dotse of Ghana to a 10-round draw Friday night in Boston when he collapsed in his dressing room.

He was taken to the hospital, where he underwent surgery Saturday morning to remove a blood clot, relieve swelling and stop bleeding in his brain.

He had been in a coma since Friday, said Tony Cardinale, Benson's promoter and mentor.

Benson had a professional record of 14-0-1, with eight knockouts. The fight was his first 10-round bout.

A spokesman issued a statement in which the family thanked the doctors and staff of the hospital for their ``ceaseless effort, professionalism and compassion.''

The family, the statement said, also ``sincerely thank Bobby's friends, in and out of the boxing community, for their support and prayers throughout the past five days.''