Boxer Kenneth Egano has died after collapsing in the ring after Saturday’s fight at the Imus Sports Gymnasium in Imus, Philippines, according to the Games and Recreation Commission. He’s 22 years old.
Egano, from General Santos City, survived the knockout to beat Jason Facularin by a unanimous decision in an eight-round bantamweight match.
However, he collapsed in his corner before the winner was announced and taken off the ring on a stretcher. He is said to have been taken to Imus Doctors Hospital, where he was put in a coma due to a brain hemorrhage.
The card Egano fought was part of Manny Pacquiao’s TV series “Blow by Blow,” which introduced boxing in the Philippines.
Pacquiao had said before Egano died that he would pay for his medical expenses.
“Nothing is more precious than a human life,” Pacquiao said while Egano was in a coma. “Boxing is really a dangerous sport and boxers deserve nothing but respect when they put their own lives first.
“Other sports you play, but you don’t play boxing.”
Egano (7-1, 3 KOs) entered only his eighth professional bout.
