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Editorial

When a boxer dies

Daily Star logo
Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.
NINFA R. LEONARDIA
Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ
Editor

GUILLERMO TEJIDA III
Desk Editor
PATRICK PANGILINAN
Busines Editor

NIDA A. BUENAFE

Sports Editor
RENE GENOVE
Bureau Chief, Dumaguete
MAJA P. DELY
Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA
Administrative Officer

Last Thursday a young man from Iloilo who had just come off a boxing match in the Recom Dome in Caloocan City, lapsed into a coma and was taken to a hospital in Metro Manila. The young man, Karlo Maquinto, never regained consciousness. On Friday morning, he died after efforts to save him all failed.

A few years ago, another young Filipino boxer, who fought in the undercard for the Manny Pacquiao-Miguel Cotto event in Las Vegas, and ironically, won over his Mexican opponent, also fell into a coma and had to be rushed to a hospital. Fortunately for him, doctors and hospital staff were able to save him. And although it was clear that he would never be able to fight again, he recovered and is now back in the country.

In the case of Maquinto, however, there apparently is a lot to be desired in the way those in charge responded to his condition. Taken to a good hospital, he was immediately administered proper life-saving equipment and given adequate treatment until he could be released and sent home.

As for Maquinto, reports published after the fight – which was declared a draw – said he was hauled off clumsily from the ring and loaded in an ambulance that did not have adequate emergency needs like, for instance, oxygen, that doctors later said could have spelled the difference in his treatment.

Also, as his grieving father noted, it seemed that the referee had not noted anything wrong in the way Karlo was reacting during the fight, when he was hit in the head.

As in every case surrounded with questions, an investigation has been ordered, the results of which may never be known, if it takes place at all. In the meantime, some quick-thinking congressmen have announced that they are reviving the bill filed before for the protection of athletes. A good move, but as far as Maquinto and his family are concerned, this is just another illustration of the saying, What for is the hay when the horse is dead already?*

Email: visayandailystar@yahoo.com