Former world lightweight champion Robert Easter Jr is recovering in hospital after being shot on Sunday night.
Reports claim that the 31-year-old from Ohio was seriously injured during an armed robbery in his hometown of Toledo.
The perpetrators are alleged to have demanded money and jewellery, but Easter attempted to fight off the attackers which led to the boxer being hurt and requiring surgery at a hospital in Cincinnati.
He is expected to make a full recovery from the operation to remove bullet fragments. His father confirmed the story to local Toledo news network WTOL 11.
Easter became IBF lightweight champion in 2016 defeating Richard Commey and held the title for two years before losing it to Mikey Garcia.
He last fought one year ago defeating Ryan Martin over 12 rounds. Ranked in the top 10 by the IBF at his new weight of 140lbs Easter had hoped to be back in the ring soon as he looks to become a two-weight world champion.
Last November Easter was given two years’ probation by a court after being found guilty of assault charges dating back to an incident in August. Easter was alleged to have punched a 28-year-old woman resulting in her injury.