- by Marc Abrams on 22 November 2009
FRANCISCO RODRIGUEZ PASSES AWAY FROM HEAD INJURY FOLLOWING CLASSIC BOUT IN PHILLY
15rounds.com is saddened to report that 122 lb fighter, Francisco Rodriguez passed away on Sunday evening from injuries that he suffered on Friday night in his thrilling USBA title bout with Teon Kennedy.
Rodriguez of Chicago and Kennedy fought one of the most memorable fights in recent memory in Philadelphia with Kennedy winning via tenth round stoppage.
Rodriguez sat on his stool for approximately five minutes before being unresponsive and then slumping over before being placed on a stretcher and having oxygen applied immediately.
He was then rushed to Hahnemann Hospital in Center City Philadelphia where emergency surgery was performed to relieve pressure on the brain.
He was placed in Intensive Care and never regained consciousness until his passing on Sunday.
Rodriguez, 25 years old, had a record of 14-3 with eight knockouts was born in Guadalajara, Mexico is survived by a wife and five month old daughter
15rounds.com sends condolences out to the Rodriguez family
OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM RODRIGUEZ PROMOTER–8 COUNT PROMOTIONS OF CHICAGO
PHILADELPHIA, PA (November 22, 2009) Chicago based bantamweight Francisco Rodriguez passed away on Sunday night, two days after his bout with against Philadelphia’s Teon Kennedy at the Blue Horizon.
The 25 year old Rodriguez collapsed after being stopped in the tenth round and was rushed to Hahnemann University Hospital where emergency brain surgery was performed.
Said promoter Dominic Pesoli of 8 Count Productions, “It’s with a very heavy heart that we make this announcement. Francisco was family to us and we all loved him very much. He was very popular with fight fans in Chicago and will be deeply missed.”
Known affectionately as “EL Nino Azteca”, the Mexican born Rodriguez had been a fan favorite in the Chicagoland area since turning professional in January 2005. His amateur career had been heralded across the country and in Chicago where he won the Chicago Golden Gloves multiple times.
Continued Pesoli, “I’d like to thank boxing fans across the country for their calls of concerns these last two days. It’s meant a great deal to us as we awaited word on his condition.”
Details on funeral arrangements for Rodriguez will be announced shortly.
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