Unbeaten pug fights for life

MANILA, Philippines - Superflyweight boxer Karlo Maquinto remained in a deep coma at the FEU-NRMF Medical Center in West Fairview, Quezon City, yesterday with his condition inoperable as he suffered a massive subdural hematoma causing pressure from the blood clot to push the left side of his brain to the right after a brutal eight-round bout that ended in a majority draw.

Maquinto, 21, was dropped twice in the second round by Benguet’s Mark Joseph Costa in their hotly-contested battle at the Amparo Village, Caloocan, last Saturday night. He got up to nearly deck Costa twice in the same round and went on to dominate the next four stanzas. The crowd, that included promoter Gerry Peñalosa and Caloocan City Mayor Enrico Echeverri, applauded both fighters for their outstanding performance at the end of the fight.

Judges Sammy Bernabe and Noel Haduca had it 75-all while judge Virgilio Garcia, 75-74, for Costa. The three judges scored the second round 10-7 for Costa because of the two knockdowns. After the decision was announced, Maquinto’s knees buckled and he collapsed walking back to his corner. The stricken fighter was carried out on a stretcher to a waiting ambulance and rushed to the San Lazaro Hospital in Lagro before he was brought to FEU-NRMF under the care of neurosurgeon Dr. Rhoby Orata. He was accompanied to the hospital by his manager Anson Tiu Co, co-owner and manager of the Shape-Up Gym in the Cooyeesan Hotel Plaza in Baguio City, and Games and Amusements Board (GAB) ring physician Dr. Redentor Viernes.

Even as an ambulance was on stand-by, there was no provision for oxygen, a neck brace and a slantboard. Maquinto was not immobilized when he was clumsily dragged from the ring onto the stretcher. Dr. Viernes and Dr. Mae Banes were assigned by the GAB as ringside physicians for the fight card.

Maquinto’s mother Marjorie and brother Arnold flew in from Iloilo last Sunday to be at the fighter’s side. His sister Virgie, a caregiver in Quezon City, paid P7,000 for their one-way plane tickets. Tiu Co said he will take care of Maquinto’s hospital expenses. Maquinto was brought to the Intensive Care Unit late last Sunday but returned to a private room yesterday afternoon with life-support apparatus sustaining a blood pressure of 100 over 70.

In the ambulance, Maquinto displayed signs of consciousness, moving his hands and blinking his eyes. But he eventually lapsed into a coma. A CT-Scan showed blood enveloping his brain with a clot pushing the left side to the right, creating a dangerous life-threatening imbalance.

“There was a shifting of the dark matter in the brain,” said Tiu Co who manages four fighters. “The brain is supposed to be balanced on both sides but in Karlo’s case, it’s now one-sided. We’re hoping for a miracle. Doctors are against opening up Karlo to drain the blood because of his unstable condition. The decision is not to perform surgery at the moment. This is a big tragedy and right now, I’m reevaluating our situation with regard to managing a boxing stable. Karlo was a promising fighter. No one expected something like this to happen.”

Maquinto started boxing as an elementary student. He was brought to Baguio by amateur coach Boy Catolico, who is also from Iloilo. The Shape-Up Gym has become popular among fighters because it’s where Manny Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire train in Baguio. Maquinto turned pro last April and has compiled a 6-0-1 record, with four KOs. Last November, he came back from a knockdown in the first round to halt Zoren Pama in three in Rosario, Cavite. Maquinto is known for his fighting heart and showed it last Saturday.

The fifth of six children, Maquinto wasn’t in the original lineup of fighters for Saturday’s event. Peñalosa said he was only an insert. “Karlo’s manager wanted to keep him active and told me I didn’t have to pay a purse,” said Peñalosa. Maquinto would’ve been paid P8,000 for the eight-round bout.

“We’re waiting for Karlo to wake up,” said Virgie. “Whatever happens, we’ll bring Karlo back to Iloilo. We are prepared for the worst as we’ve been told Karlo can go anytime.”

A noted neurologist said if Maquinto is in a Glasgow Three coma state, it is an inoperable situation. “In such a situation, the brain will just pop out once you open his skull,” said the neurologist. “It’s possible that the patient may have burst an artery during the fight or suffered a seizure. It’s also possible that at 21, there could’ve been a congenital problem causing a blood artery to rupture. The critical period is 72 hours from the incident. A brain wave test would show activity or not. If there is an attempt to elevate his blood pressure with medication, it’s not sure if that will mean an improvement in his condition. Surgery at this point may result in death or even if he survives, he will be in a vegetative state. If his blood pressure continues to drop, it may lead to a breakdown of bodily functions.”

Maquinto’s father Felicibar is a farmer from Lambunao, Iloilo. Of his three sons, only Karlo turned to boxing. Two of his six children are still in school. “Karlo always wanted to be a boxer from when he was a little boy,” said Virgie. “It was his dream to become a champion.”