Boxer Dies After Fight at Blue Horizon
Monday, Nov 23, 2009 | Updated 3:39 PM EDT
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Francisco Rodriguez (L), was consistently ranked in USA Boxing's Top Ten.
Boxer Francisco Rodriguez died from a brain bleed after Friday night's bout at Philadelphia's Blue Horizon.
It's the first time in more than three decades that boxing injuries have killed a fighter in Philly, according to the Philadelphia Daily News.
Rodriguez, 25, was from a family of boxers and it was his first visit to the city.
"He was happy. He said, 'When I get back to Chicago, I'm going to tell everybody I saw the Rocky statue!" said Benny Baez, who was working with Rodriguez' father and brother as part of the corner team during the fight.
Rodriguez was up against North Philadelphia's Teon Kennedy for the USBA super bantamweight championship.
Kennedy knocked him out in the 10th round. Rodriguez was helped onto his stool, then went limp. Doctors and EMTs who were already there immediately went to work on the boxer. He was rushed to Hahnemann and underwent emergency surgery for a brain bleed.
Family members were told he was in "extremely critical" condition and would never recover. After agonizing over Rodriguez' condition, his family decided Sunday to unplug the breathing machine that was keeping him alive.
The Blue Horizon rented the facility out to Peltz Boxing for the event.
"Their condolences go out to the family," a spokesperson for Peltz told NBC Philadelphia.
"It's a tragic incident. I feel for the family. Anytime you lose a young person, it's devastating," said Vernoca Michael, co-owner of The Legendary Blue Horizon.
Rodriguez was married with a five-month old daughter. The boxer, originally from Mexico, had a 76-6 record as an amateur and won the Golden Gloves title in 2001.
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