“Patrick Day didn’t need to box,” His promoter Lou DiBella had said in a statement at the time of his tragic passing. “He came from a good family, he was smart, educated, had good values, and had other avenues available to him to earn a living.” So why did he choose to box? “Boxing is what Pat loved to do. It’s how he inspired people and it was something that made him feel alive,” DiBella explained.

Five years ago on October 16, 2019, 27-year-old Patrick Day succumbed to his injuries after getting knocked out by Charles Conwell in the 10th round of their super welterweight bout in Chicago four days earlier. At the time, to celebrate the fighting spirit of Patrick Day, the young warrior who always wore a smile on his face, South African sports journalist Donald McRae paid a special tribute to the late boxer through an extensive article he wrote for the Guardian. To mark the occasion, McRae revisited the article yesterday, sharing it once again as a reminder of the light that went out in October 2019.

McRae’s 2019 tribute also included reflections from Day’s best friend, Patrick Aristhene, who recalled their final moments together in the hospital. “When the time came to say goodbye, I told ‘Pat’ I loved him and I appreciated him,” Aristhene said. He believed Day’s journey had just begun, stating, “The Egyptians said it: ‘Death is only the beginning.’” 

Who was Patrick Day?

Patrick Day had a professional record of 17-4-1—not the most impressive. However, his spirit wouldn’t let him quit. He never really needed to get into boxing—his father was a doctor, his mother worked as a translator for the UN, and he was college-educated, unlike most boxers. Despite having a plethora of options, the reason Day got involved in the sport was purely because of his love for boxing. Growing up in Freeport, Long Island, Day and Aristhene were thick as thieves, bonding over their Haitian heritage and love for boxing. “Patrick was pure-hearted… I was the realist, he was the optimist. We balanced each other,” Aristhene fondly recalled to McRae. The night before the incident happened, Aristhene had the worst dream, which unfortunately came true. 

Aristhene dreamt that someone would get knocked out badly, and things would get worse, which gave him a sense of dread. Still, the fight happened. During the fight, Patrick Day was knocked down first in the 8th round. However, he got up before the count. When the referee asked him if he was fine and if he wanted the fight to continue, Day nodded resolutely. And thus the fight continued. Later in the 10th round, he was knocked out by an overhand right, followed by a left hook which sent him crashing to the canvas. Aristhene’s nightmare had come true. Day was soon taken to a hospital, by which time he had already slipped into a coma.

After Day’s passing four days later, Charles Conwell, in an open letter, expressed his grief and regret at what had transpired in the ring. “I never meant this to happen to you, all I wanted to do was win,” Conwell explained. “If I could take it all back, I would. No-one deserves this to happen to them.”

Despite his optimism, Patrick knew the dangers evident in the sport. He knew what could happen years ago when he first got into boxing after walking into Joe Higgins’ boxing gym, situated in a garage in their neighborhood. While Day’s mother didn’t approve of it at first, she came around because of Higgins’ reputation, who was a former firefighter and a boxing trainer—he survived the 9/11 attack. However, Higgins wasn’t the only influence in Day’s life. 

Both Day and Aristhene looked up to fellow Long-Islander Seanie Monaghan, who would go on to become Day’s mentor and sparring partner. After Day’s death, Monaghan recalled, “I sparred more with Patrick than anyone else… He was a wonderful person who had such heart.” Despite being fully committed to the sport, Day’s time in it wasn’t easy.

Day lost his first three amateur bouts, and still managed to eventually win the Golden Gloves. However, more adversities awaited the Freeport native—in 2015, Day got knocked by Carlos Garcia Hernandez, a journeyman, which prompted his promoter Lou DiBella to consider releasing Day from his contract.

Still, Patrick Day had that fight left in him, which led to him winning his next six fights between 2016 and 2019. This must have made an impression on DiBella as well, who was heartbroken after Day’s passing. Even today, on Day’s 5th anniversary, when he came upon McRae’s tweet, DiBella penned a few words for the late boxer.

Heart of a Fighter, Story of a Journalist

McRae, who went to Day’s house months after his passing to write the story for The Guardian, once again reminded everyone of the man who left the world too soon. “I went to his home to write this piece a few months later….and since then I’ve been back often. I’ve written about Pat & his brother Jean in my next book & it’s been special. While he was here Pat lit up the world,” McRae recalled on X today.

This post from the journalist reminded Lou DiBella of the loss that affected him personally five years ago. Questioning his own life’s work, he contended, “It’s very hard for me to read Don McRae’s article… to some extent, it made me, and continues to make me, question much of my life’s work. Probably why it’s important for everyone around #boxing to read it. Rest easy, Pat Day. You will always be loved, all day, every day.”

In another post, he shared his initial statement after Day’s death, adding, “5 yrs ago today we lost the finest young man I’ve known in #boxing. Pat Day was the best of us.” However, he was not alone in mourning the invaluable loss after Day’s passing. 

One user responded to McRae’s post, writing, “Beautiful tribute Donald. Five years later it’s a shame that more isn’t being done to protect fighters…geez we even have a 58-year-old approved to fight in a few weeks.” While Day’s death was a tragedy, several safeguards are in place to protect boxers from such outcomes. These include having ringside doctors with the authority to stop fights immediately, ensuring fight venues are located near hospitals, and many other measures.

Someone else responded by writing, “Another great, heartfelt piece of prose. Brilliant!” The user was clearly impressed by McRae’s touching tribute to Patrick Day.

Meanwhile, another user spared a few words to pay their respect to the young fighter while also celebrating the author for the heartfelt tribute. “Into the night we go.. So sad, what a lovely tribute. Please keep up these stories and your lovely prose Donald.”

The outpouring of tributes on social media highlighted the widespread respect Day earned, not just for his talent but for his character. The boxing world continues to mourn a life lost too soon while celebrating the lasting impact Day made during his brief but memorable career. As DiBella, McRae, and countless others remember the brave soul, everyone at EssentiallySports extends their well wishes for Patrick Day’s family wherever they are.