Mexican former two-time world minimum and lightweight champion Moises Fuentes died at age 37, 13 months after he was brutally knocked out during his first match after a three-year hiatus from boxing.
After he was knocked out in the sixth round of a fight with David Cuellar in Cancun, Mexico last year and taken out of the ring on a stretcher, doctors discovered a blood clot in his brain and he was placed in a medically induced coma to reduce the swelling.
After surgery to remove the clot, Fuentes remained hospitalized and on a ventilator until his death, which was announced Thursday morning by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman on Twitter.
“Thank God Moises Fuentes is already resting in peace,” Sulaiman wrote. “A warrior who fought to the last breath. Our condolences to his family and friends and our appreciation to his wife for her dedication and dedication with indescribable love during this difficult year of suffering.”
His career
Fuentes’ professional career began in 2007, and he was undefeated until 2011.
In 33 professional bouts, he won 25 with 14 knockouts. He also had one draw and suffered seven defeats.
He competed in several different weight classes during his career and fought for the world championship eight times.
Fuentes retired from fighting in 2018, but decided to return for the fight with Cuellar in 2021, with tragic results.
Condolences
World title challenger Sulem Urbina expressed condolences to Fuentes’ loved ones and fans after the news of his death broke.
“Today I ask the boxing world not to forget him. Today ask to respect boxers and pray every time one steps in the ring,” Urbina wrote on Twitter.
Others in the boxing world also posted their condolences on social media.
R.I.P. Moises Fuentes pic.twitter.com/4jVKpESDka
— The13thRound Boxing Boxeo Boxen Boxe Boks TTR (@GifsBoxing) November 24, 2022