Boxer Diego Arrua tragically passed away at the age of 58 after suffering a heart attack while coaching his wife’s match. Arrua died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
On Friday evening, September 15, the world watched as Argentinean Sabrina Perez and Australian Skye Nicolson squared off for the first time in the ring. The bout was held at the Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez Moreno, located in the Mexican city of Tijuana, and was streamed live on DAZN.
Both boxers, who were fighting for the first time in Mexico, showed tremendous power and speed throughout the fight, never giving in to the pressure or fear of the opponent. It was the first time Perez had defended her WBC interim featherweight title, which she won last March in her match against Yolis Marruga Framco.
The match was drawing to a close, and spectators were keeping a close eye on the pair’s progress, when the focus shifted to the unforeseen tragedy that had occurred outside the ring.
Arrua suffered a heart attack
Between the ninth and tenth rounds, the cheers suddenly turned to gasps as Perez’ boxing trainer and husband Diego Arrua suffered a heart attack.
The match between Perez and Nicolson went on for a full ten rounds, with Nicolson prevailing in the end by a unanimous decision. The scores of the three rounds were 99-91, 98-92 and 97-93. But by the time the winner was declared, Perez had already left the ring.
Shortly after he collapsed on the side of the ring, medical personnel quickly went over to check the situation and immediately rushed Arua to the QDEP general hospital. However, according to a source, it was too late for Arrua, and they were no longer able to revive him.
WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman confirmed the tragic news on social media:
“It is with deep sadness that we have been informed of the sudden death of Argentine coach Diego Arua, who suffered a devastating heart attack during the Sabrina Perez fight in Tijuana. The medical services did everything possible and he died at the QDEP general hospital.”
Con profunda pena hemos sido informados del repentino fallecimiento del entrenador argentino Diego Arua quien sufrió un infarto fulminante durante la pelea de Sabrina Pérez en Tijuana. Los servicios médicos hicieron todo lo posible y falleció en el hospital general QDEP pic.twitter.com/gVGLp4TviN
— Mauricio Sulaiman (@wbcmoro) September 16, 2023
Matchroom Boxing also posted on their X account, stating: Congratulations,
@skyebnic
👏
Our thoughts now switch to Sabrina Perez’s coach 🙏
Congratulations, @skyebnic 👏
Our thoughts now switch to Sabrina Perez's coach 🙏 pic.twitter.com/5C8WRjoIpv
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) September 16, 2023
Since then, fans have reacted to the tragic news on social media and expressed their condolences:
@Katchit: Honestly John, I am gutted to wake to this news.. I knew it was bad when I saw Perez crying and out of the ring, did not realise it was Diego Arrua 💔 life is so fragile
Honestly John, I am gutted to wake to this news.. I knew it was bad when I saw Perez crying and out of the ring, did not realise it was Diego Arrua 💔 life is so fragile
— a (@Katchit) September 16, 2023
@Girlboxingnow: I am so sorry to learn this devastating news of the sudden dearth of trainer Diego Arrua. Condolences to Sabrina Perez, her family, and all who were touched by his life. May his memory be for a blessing.
I am so sorry to learn this devastating news of the sudden dearth of trainer Diego Arrua. Condolences to Sabrina Perez, her family, and all who were touched by his life. May his memory be for a blessing.
— Thee Girlboxing!🌻🥊😷🏳️⚧️ (@Girlboxingnow) September 16, 2023
@Beau_Denison: I would like to express my condolences to Sabrina Perez on the loss of her husband, manager, and trainer Diego Arrua. –
I would like to express my condolences to Sabrina Perez on the loss of her husband, manager, and trainer Diego Arrua. – https://t.co/s0MVX7LAh9
— Beau Denison (@Beau_Denison) September 16, 2023
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The photo above is from Instagram