An up-and-coming 22-year-old Filipino boxer who sustained injuries fighting in Manny Pacquiao's 'Blow by Blow' boxing event has died.
On Saturday, Kenneth Egano took on Jason Facularin in an eight-round contest in the Philippines, with the event organised by MP Promotions. The company of the 44-year-old hosts the show on a weekly basis.
Egano, a bantamweight, survived a knockdown during the bout - which took place at the Imus Sports Gymnasium in Imus, Cavite, Philippines - but came back strongly. After the final bell sounded, the outcome appeared in the balance.
Egano was officially deemed the winner via split decision to take his record to 7-1, but appeared to collapse on the canvas before the scores from the judges could be read out. He was immediately rushed to hospital where he was placed in a coma after being diagnosed with a brain haemorrhage..
According to the Daily Mail , Pacquiao had immediately vowed to cover the medical bills of the young boxer. But Egano's tragic death was confirmed on Thursday by the Philippines' Games and Amusements Board.
"The entire agency of Games and Amusements Board (GAB) mourns the passing of professional boxer Kenneth Egano," they wrote. "Our condolences to Kenneth's family, relatives and friends. May his soul rest in peace."
Pacquiao himself paid tribute, and touched upon the dangers of the sport. "There is nothing more precious than human life," he said. "Boxing is truly a dangerous sport and the boxers deserve nothing but respect as they put their lives on the line. Other sports you play, but you don’t play boxing."
Opponent Facularin also released a statement, saying: “I didn’t expect that this will happen when we did our best. Why did it happen to us? Sorry that it happened. I hope you’re in a good place.”
A host of boxing fans also took to social media, with @TravisMacPhailX writing: "In a fight that he won too. That’s beyond horrible, God rest his soul." @otrzy1 echoed the sentiments of many by simply saying: "RIP Champ."
