Hugo Santillan Tragically Passes Away Due to Injuries Sustained in Saturday Fight
By Sean Facey
In what has already been a devastating week for the boxing world, there was even more tragic news regarding a young fighter.
As fans across the world continue to mourn the death of 28-year-old Maxim Dadashev, another boxer, Hugo Santillan passed away at the age of 23 early Thursday morning.
RIP Hugo Santillan.
— World Boxing Council (@WBCBoxing) July 25, 2019
He passed away from injuries suffered during Saturday’s fight which ended in a draw.
We join Hugo’s family and friends in grief, support and wish prompt resignation.
Via @marcosarienti pic.twitter.com/WwT7LyLXIW
Santillan, like Dadashev, died due to injuries sustained during a fight. His nose started bleeding in the middle of his last bout against Eduardo Javier Abreu on Saturday in Argentina, and he passed out while the judges were announcing that the match had been ruled a draw.
According to the doctors who treated him, Santillan arrived at the hospital unconscious and unfortunately never regained consciousness. Swelling in his brain was to blame. It continued to worsen as they tried to treat him, and it ultimately affected the functions of his organs, sending him into cardiac arrest.
Hugo Santillan is the second boxer in 4 days to die from injuries incurred in the ring. He was just 23 years old. ? pic.twitter.com/ETTdrQ5s1Q
— theScore (@theScore) July 25, 2019
He was a quality fighter who was on the rise. The Argentinean, nicknamed "Dinamita," was 19-6-2 since he debuted professionally back in 2015.
It's another tragic loss of a young fighter that serves as a reminder of a harshness and brutality of this sport, as well as the risks it poses to those who participate. Our thoughts are with Hugo's family at this most difficult of times.