By Jhonny Gonzalez

Costa Rican boxer Alejandro "Timon" Martinez, who went into a coma after a fight in Mexico in 2009, passed away late Saturday night in his native Costa Rica. According to his family, Martinez died of pneumonia, ending his life at age 27.

Martinez spent three years in a coma after taking a beating in his fight against former IBF super flyweight champion Juan Alberto "Topo" Rosas, in July of 2009 in Tepic, Nayarit, Mexico.

After suffering his injuries, the athlete was moved by plane to Costa Rica by the Ministry of Public Security to receive care in his home country.

Martinez's relatives, including his father, Gilberto, tried their best to raise the necessary funds to cover the the late boxer's medical expenses. He who was 24 years old when he suffered the injuries. Martinez's family often complained about the alleged neglect of the social welfare institutions in their country.

Martinez had a record of 15-2-1, with 11 knockouts