Iloilo amateur boxer, 17, dies

A 17-year-old amateur boxer died yesterday hours after he underwent operation to remove a blood clot in his brain at the Western Visayas State University Hospital in Iloilo City.

Reynan "Bongbong" Padrones was rushed to the hospital minutes after winning his bout in the ongoing Iloilo School Sports Council (ISSC) meet at the Iloilo Sports Complex Monday.

Doctors declared Padrones dead at around 7:30 p.m. Tuesday from brain injury.

Padrones, representing Passi City, outpointed Jeffrey Etang of Leon town in four rounds in their 48 kg. encounter. The boxing event was subsequently cancelled.

Dr. Raymundo Lapating, Iloilo division schools superintendent, said the Department of Education (DepEd), the meet organizer, will take full responsibility of the incident.

According to ring physician Dr. Rebecca Aramada, Pedroso complained of dizziness minutes after the bout. Moments later, he threw up, prompting her to ask Pedroso’s brother, Roel, who was also his coach, to bring the boxer to the hospital.

Initial reports said the referee, Martin Sonido, failed to immediately stop the bout when Padrones’ head gear fell, while Etang continued to punch Padrones, hitting him in the head.