BACOLOD CITY, Philippines – A 64-year-old fan of boxing icon Manny Pacquiao died of a heart attack as he was watching an undercard fight during the Pacquiao-Bradley match at a gym in Negros Occidental on Sunday.
In Quezon City, a bus driver was believed to have died from stroke as he was waiting for Pacquiao’s fight to start.
Charito Lorio, a municipal employee of E. B. Magalona town in Negros Occidental, fell from his chair as he was watching the fight at the town’s Wilkinson Social Court, Police Officer 1 Ronald Javier said.
Lorio was rushed to the Teresita L. Jalandoni Provincial Hospital in Silay City, where he died while being treated, a report from ABS-CBN Bacolod said.
E. B. Magalona Mayor David Albert Lacson told The STAR Lorio’s family would receive financial assistance from the municipal government.
Lacson said Lorio, a market fee collector, was due to retire in December.
“He was a good employee, and very loyal to me,†Lacson said.
Meanwhile, Dare Lopez, 52, was rushed to the Quirino Memorial Medical Center after he collapsed at a covered court in Cubao, where there was a free public viewing of the boxing match.
Police Officer 2 Anthony Tejerero said Lopez might have died from stroke, although the result of an autopsy conducted on the driver of the Isarog Bus Transit has yet to be released.
“The family said the victim had four strokes before and had a history of hypertension, he was constantly taking medicines for it,†he said.
Lopez was with his fellow bus drivers waiting for the Pacquiao-Bradley fight to start at a crowded court in Barangay San Martin de Porres when he collapsed.
Ramil Pajabes and Albert Tabanao, who were seated near Lopez, were able to catch him as he fell to the floor.