Boxer injured in bout dies

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing manager Anson Tiu Co said yesterday he will actively participate in an investigation of the death of his fighter Karlo Maquinto to prevent a recurrence of the ring tragedy if summoned by government probers.

Neurosurgeon Rhoby Orata also said he will cooperate in case an investigation is ordered to share scientific scenarios where Maquinto’s fate could have been averted and regulators may be guided in instituting preventive and protective measures to anticipate future incidents.

Maquinto, 21, collapsed and lost consciousness shortly after ring announcer Boy Villanera announced the decision of the judges – a majority draw – in his eight-round bout against Mark Joseph Costa in Amparo Village, Caloocan, last Saturday.

He was rushed in an ambulance to the San Lorenzo Hospital in Lagro then transferred to the FEU-NRMF Medical Center in West Fairview, Quezon City, where Orata, neurologist Grace Ang-de Guzman and internist Vic Chua attended to him.

Maquinto arrived at FEU-NRMF in a Glasgow level six coma state but quickly lapsed into level four and finally, three. He was in a deep coma until pronounced dead at 10:15 yesterday morning. Cause of death was cardiorespiratory arrest.

Maquinto was strapped to a life support system since Sunday night but the ventilator could not prevent the stoppage of his heartbeat.

“From when he was admitted at FEU-NRMF, his only vital sign was the heartbeat,” said Orata. “We did a brain wave test last Wednesday night and found very minimal activity. His heartbeat began to slow down at 9:45 yesterday morning. We followed the protocol of resuscitation without aggressive methods. We tried to revive Karlo but he expired about 30 minutes later.”

Orata closely monitored Maquinto’s condition from the start of his confinement.

“It’s hard to say if the tragedy could’ve been averted,” he said. “We don’t mean to implicate anyone but if reports are accurate that there were no competent paramedics, no oxygen, no slantboard and no neck brace, then we should make sure they are provided for next time.

“However, it must be pointed out that the absence of those elements was not the primary cause of the accident. As doctors who attended to Karlo, we could enlighten or clarify certain issues that may be raised in an investigation.”

Orata attended a seminar on “Boxing and the Brain” two years ago and said he will recommend to Academy of Filipino Neurosurgeons head Gerardo Legaspi the staging of a refresher in the wake of Maquinto’s death.

Maquinto’s mother Marjorie, brother Arnold and sister Marilen flew in from Iloilo to be at his bedside. His sister Virgie, a caregiver in Quezon City, attended to the funeral arrangements.

Tiu Co paid for the hospital expenses which amounted to about P300,000.

The body now lies in state at the La Bien Funeral Homes in Bacoor, Cavite. It will be brought to Iloilo on Monday.

From FEU-NRMF to Bacoor, Maquinto’s relatives stopped by SM to buy a barong tagalog, slacks and shoes for the fighter to wear in the coffin.

Maquinto was one of six children, three of them boys. His father Felicibar is a farmer from Lambunao, Iloilo.

Known for his fighting heart, Maquinto was dropped twice by Costa in the second round of their hotly-contested contest last Saturday. Maquinto got up to nearly floor Costa in the same round and went on to dominate the next four stanzas.

There didn+ft seem to be any sign of Maquinto slowing down as judge Sammy Bernabe even scored the eighth and final round, 10-9, in his favor.

Last November, Maquinto also survived a knockdown to beat Zoren Pama on a third round stoppage in Rosario, Cavite.

Even as his death was boxing-related, it is ironic that he was never defeated in the ring, finishing with a 6-0-1 record, including four KOs.

Referee Eddie Nobleza said he was surprised that Maquinto+fs knees buckled after the decision was announced.

Two Games and Amusements Board physicians, Redentor Viernes and Mae Banes, were at ringside.

While Maquinto lay prostrate on the canvas, Banes was heard screaming for oxygen. Unfortunately, the stand-by ambulance had no provision for oxygen. Paramedics clumsily dragged Maquinto off the canvas onto a gurney without immobilizing him. Maquinto+fs condition could+fve been aggravated by the paramedics+f unprofessional emergency treatment.

Orata said it+fs likely that Maquinto suffered primary damage to the brain in the second round. Repeated blows to the head could+fve exacerbated the situation, leading to a massive hemorrhage and swelling.