Terence Crawford's Sparring Partner Steven Nelson Suffers Severe Asthma Attack at Kanye West Concert
Steven Nelson, a professional boxer and long-time friend and sparring partner of Terence Crawford, experienced a severe asthma attack at a Kanye West concert. Nelson attributed the attack to smoke from pyrotechnics used during the performance. Emergency medical personnel were called to the scene as Nelson struggled to breathe. He later stated that he nearly died, expressing gratitude for the paramedics who provided an emergency albuterol kit. Nelson, a U.S. Army veteran, has a history of surviving dangerous situations, including military deployment, being shot, and an IED explosion. He has been a primary sparring partner for Crawford, notably during preparations for the Canelo Alvarez fight in September 2025, and also fought on the undercard of that event. This incident highlights an unexpected health scare for an athlete accustomed to high-stakes physical challenges.
