ZCZC
BSP-10
BOX-ARG-DEATH-SANTILLAN
Second boxer in two days dies from head injuries after fight
BUENOS AIRES, July 26, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Argentine boxer Hugo Santillan died
on Thursday from injuries suffered in a fight on Saturday, the second such
death in just two days after that of Russian Maxim Dadashev in the United
States.
Santillan, who was 23, collapsed while the result was announced of his 10-
round draw with Uruguayan Eduardo Abreu in San Nicolas, just north of the
Argentine capital Buenos Aires.
He was taken to hospital where he underwent an operation to relieve
pressure due to swelling on the brain caused by a head trauma, hospital
sources said. He died of a heart attack.
Dadashev died on Tuesday from brain injuries suffered in his fight with
Puerto Rican Subriel Matias on Friday night in Maryland. He was 28.
Nothing appeared wrong with Santillan as he fought to a draw with Abreu but
while waiting to hear the result announced, he collapsed and lost
consciousness.
He was fighting for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Latino Silver
lightweight title, held by Abreu.
“We join Hugo’s family and friends in grief,” said the WBC on Twitter.
Santillan’s previous fight, a 10-round points defeat to Artem Harutyunyan
in Germany, was only five weeks earlier.
Santillan had a record of 19 victories, eight by knock-out, six defeats,
two by stoppage, and two draws.
A professional since 2015, he won the South American super featherweight
title in September 2016 but lost it four months later in his first defense.
BSS/AFP/GMR/0907 hrs