Death returns to haunt the boxing rings in Mexico. Boxer Moisés Fuentes, former World Boxing Organization lightweight and light flyweight champion, died this Thursday after fighting for his health for more than a year. In October 2011, Fuentes was KO’d during his fight with David El General Cuellar, from which fatal round the athlete never recovered. World Boxing Council (WBC) President Mauricio Sulaimán has confirmed the death of the 37-year-old athlete through his social media. “Thank God Moisés Fuentes is already resting in peace. A warrior who fought to the last breath. Our condolences go to his family and friends and our appreciation to his wife for her dedication and devotion with indescribable love during this difficult year of QDEP’s suffering,” the WBC leader wrote on his Twitter account.
Moisés Fuentes was born on September 20, 1985 in Mexico City and after several years as an amateur, he made his World Boxing Organization professional boxing debut in 2007 and two years later he won the World Boxing Organization light flyweight championship in Japan.
Moises Fuentes (right) poses for a photo with three other WBO champions after handing over their belts in 2011.Misael Valtierra (Cuartoscuro)
The boxing ring was his home for thirty fights and a decade later, in 2021, it also became his grave. On that October 16, Fuentes entered the ring hungry. On his shoulders he carried a boxing fast of more than three years. The athlete wanted to break this long break with a win. The rival to beat was David El General Cuéllar, who at the time had an unbeaten career of 19 victories. That Saturday night, Fuentes arrived at the appointment dressed in a black sequined vest and gold gloves, jumping up and down with his fist raised. Forty minutes later he emerged unconscious and on a stretcher.
During the first rounds of the fight in the ring, thanks to a video posted on social networks, the participants are observed on equal occasions: connecting hooks and direct punches. However, as the fight progressed, Fuentes’ fast boxing took its toll. From the third round Fuentes was weaker and already in the last round (in the sixth round) the boxer’s face was crushed by punches. Despite his notorious disadvantage, the boxer never gave up his attempt to win. While trying to do some damage to the rival, he also shielded himself in his arms, until the fateful knockout. In a moment his body was stretched out on the canvas. Immediately, his team and the facility’s doctors tried to revive him, without success. His lack of vital signs overshadowed any attempt to celebrate in the ring.
The boxer was taken to a hospital in Quintana Roo on a stretcher, escorted by his loved ones and to the applause of the public. The diagnosis was not encouraging, due to the shock wave his brain had a blood clot and he needed surgery at the time. Although he saved his life at the time, the impact of the operation was severe as the fighter was unable to fend for himself.
During his boxing career, which was chronicled by sports media ESPN, Fuentes fought 33 professional fights, winning 25, 14 by KO, drawing one and losing seven. Though he tasted the sweetness of victory, defeats were a constant in the final moments of his career. Because of this, he opted for a three-year break, a break he broke on October 16 in Cancun when he decided to win the win over David El General Cuéllar.
Fuentes’ death adds to recent in-ring tragedies. In September last year, 18-year-old Mexican boxer Jeanette Zacarías died after a fight in Canada. The boxer, who was born in Aguascalientes, suffered seizures a few seconds later and was transferred to the Quebec City Hospital, where she was in an induced coma for five days. As in the case of Fuentes, all attempts to restore the young woman’s health were in vain.
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