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Mexican super lightweight Martin Sanchez died Saturday at a Las Vegas hospital from injuries sustained in the ring Friday night.
Sanchez was knocked out in the ninth round by Rustam Nugaev in a bout televised on ESPN Deportes.
Two doctors examined Sanchez after the fight and both were satisfied that Sanchez was fine. Several minutes later, Sanchez began walking strangely. He was then hospitalized and underwent emergency brain surgery.
Doctors removed a large subdural hematoma, but there was also massive swelling of the brain. Sanchez, who had been placed on a ventilator after surgery, died shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
"It's just a tragedy and something you never want to have to deal with," Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Marc Ratner told the paper. "We're all devastated and shocked by this. I'm satisfied that we followed every one of our procedures to give him the best care we could, but to have this still happen, it really hurts."
Sanchez left the ring under own power, even waving to the crowd and blowing a kiss when he was met with applause.
Sanchez's death is the fifth as the result of a fight in Nevada since 1994.
Sanchez was knocked out in the ninth round by Rustam Nugaev in a bout televised on ESPN Deportes.
Two doctors examined Sanchez after the fight and both were satisfied that Sanchez was fine. Several minutes later, Sanchez began walking strangely. He was then hospitalized and underwent emergency brain surgery.
Doctors removed a large subdural hematoma, but there was also massive swelling of the brain. Sanchez, who had been placed on a ventilator after surgery, died shortly after 11 a.m. on Saturday, The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.
"It's just a tragedy and something you never want to have to deal with," Nevada Athletic Commission executive director Marc Ratner told the paper. "We're all devastated and shocked by this. I'm satisfied that we followed every one of our procedures to give him the best care we could, but to have this still happen, it really hurts."
Sanchez left the ring under own power, even waving to the crowd and blowing a kiss when he was met with applause.
Sanchez's death is the fifth as the result of a fight in Nevada since 1994.
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