BOXING coach Diego Arrua has died aged 58 after suffering a heart attack during his wife’s world title fight.
Arrua was in the corner for wife Sabrina Perez’s interim WBC featherweight title bout with Australian Skye Nicolson on Friday night.
He collapsed between the ninth and ten rounds of the fight at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez in Mexico.
Sadly, he didn’t recover from the reportedly “devastating” heart attack.
WBC president Maurico Sulaiman confirmed the passing of Arrua on Twitter.
He said: “It is with deep sadness that we have been informed of the sudden death of Argentine coach Diego [Arrua].
“Who suffered a devastating heart attack during the Sabrina Perez fight in Tijuana.
“The medical services did everything possible and he died at the QDEP general hospital.”
Matchroom Boxing – who promoted the fight – also offered their condolences to Perez over her husband’s passing.
They tweeted: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Sabrina Perez and your loved ones.”
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Perez suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Nicolson, with the judges scoring the contest 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93 in favour of the Aussie.
She wasn’t in the ring when the result was read out.
Boxing fans around the world were quick to react to the tragic news, with one tweeting: “Prayers for the family.”
Another said: “RIP THAT’S SO SAD.”
And another said: “Rest in peace, Diego.”
One remarked: “Damn sad to hear. RIP.”
Another chimed in: “Awful news. RIP.”
Perez went into her clash with Nicolson on the back of decision victories over Silvia Fernanda Zararias and Yollis Marrugo Franco.
Defeat to Nicolson saw her lose her grip on the WBC’s interim 126lbs strap.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
