A 25-year-old boxer has died five days after sustaining a critical head injury during a knockout loss to José Munoz at Coliseo Elias Chegwin in Barranquilla, Colombia.
Luis Quinones passed away on Thursday night, having been knocked out in the last minute of his fight against his opponent, TMZ Sports reports.
Per ESPN, the late Junior welterweight's brother, Leonardo Quinones, confirmed his death on Facebook.
He wrote in a heartfelt post: "You went ahead of us my loving brother, now you are with your heavenly father, whom you adored and served, I love you my brother Luis Quinones, forever and ever in our hearts."
Cuadrilatero Boxing, the fight promoter, shared a social media statement of its own, writing: "Cuadrilatero Boxing is deeply saddened by the death of Luis Quinones, an exceptional and disciplined human being, who always showed the greatest commitment to this sport.
"Luis was passionate about boxing, so much so that he left his hometown of Barrancabermeja to continue his career in Barranquilla and become a national athlete. His idol was Julio Cesar Chavez."
Quinones had been declared brain-dead on Thursday, but he was still attached to a respirator until his death was announced at midnight.
The back-and-forth fight between Quinones and Munoz saw the latter lose his mouthguard in the eighth round. Referee Leonel Mercado sent Quinones to a neutral corner while Munoz retrieved his mouthguard.
Quinones was evidently unsteady in the ring at that point in the fight, and when the match continued, Quinones was knocked down after a punch. He was then placed on a stretcher and rushed to the hospital.
Quinones, who'd made his debut in 2018, had never been beaten before Thursday night's fight. He was taken to the North General Clinic in Barranquilla, where he underwent surgery for "neurological deterioration as a result of head trauma due to traumatic contusions."
Doctors also found a subdural hematoma, and so the young athlete underwent a craniectomy.
Naturally, Munoz was left devastated by the tragic news, saying he never thought "a dream could turn into a real nightmare".
He continued, per The Sun: "The desire to succeed in life put us both on the same path, but because of those things in life and especially the profession we chose, today you are in a situation that we never imagined.
"During the last days, your image does not stop in my head, and I think about the great future that lies ahead. We have been partners and friends of sparring which has allowed me to know all the good things you have to offer as a person and as an athlete."
Our thoughts are with Quinones' friends and family at this devastating time.
