MEXICO CITY (AP) — The body of a Mexican boxer who died after being knocked out during a bout in Las Vegas was returned to Mexico early Thursday.
Martin "The Firefighter" Sanchez died July 2 at Valley Hospital Medical Center, hours after being knocked out by Rustam Nugaev of Russia in a super lightweight bout.
After several delays, Sanchez's body was flown home, arriving before dawn Thursday to a service attended by family and friends.
Sanchez, 26, worked as a firefighter in Mexico City, and his colleagues carried his coffin for a memorial service. A photo of Sanchez fighting was set up next to a framed picture of the Virgin Mary.
Sanchez was knocked out in the ninth round July 1. He was bleeding from the nose and mouth but didn't appear seriously injured as he left the ring.
A short time later, Sanchez was seen walking strangely and was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency brain surgery, according to newspaper reports.
Sanchez had a 13-10 record with 10 knockouts.
His death was the fifth boxing fatality in Nevada since 1994.
