By Ronnie Nathanielsz

Carlo Maquinto (6-0-1, 4KOs), an undefeated flyweight, is in a coma and fighting for his life at the FEU Hospital in Fair View, Quezon City which was closest to the venue where his fight took place.

Maquinto of the Shape Up Boxing Gym in Baguio City engaged Mark Joseph Acosta of the Aljoe Jaro stable in an action-packed bout that was part of a Gerry Penalosa promotion in Caloocan City.

Maquinto was dropped twice in the opening round but came back strong. The fight ended in a majority draw. Maquinto collapsed in the ring and was rushed to the nearest hospital.

Penalosa told BoxingScene.com/Manila Standard that Maquinto was in shape and it was a great fight. He said there was nothing wrong and the referee did a good job but that it was an unfortunate accident that from time to time besets boxing.

Maquinto’s sister Virgie who is at his bedside in the hospital told BoxingScene/Manila Standard that her brother was “comatose” because of a blood clot and claimed doctors told her that the 21 year old fighter was too weak and may not be able to survive an operation.

The 28 year old Virgie said their mother was scheduled to arrive from Iloilo sometime soon. She said the attending physician is Dr. Roby Orata.

Games and Amusements Board commissioner Aquino Tamano didn’t know about the tragedy and called boxing division chief Dr. Nasser Cruz who informed him that Dr. Redentor Viernes was the ring physician at the fight card and did everything proper in attending to the fighter.

Tamano said Dr. Cruz told him Maquinto was at “level 3” which is extremely serious.

Tamano said he would ask for a detailed report although when the boxer applied for his license in January “everything was fine.” However, Tamano said he will summon the ring officials and others  involved “to discuss this at length and see what we can do to prevent these things happening.”