Francisco Montivias Dies From Weekend Bout Injuries

[-Boxzilla-]

another death .... what is going on .... rest in peace francisco

[Drunken Cat]

I read somewhere that this dude was a 2x national champ of some sort as well. Can't confirm anything though.

[Grimmer]

Vernon, Alexis, Gatti, now this guy. I mean WTF? MMA is looking so much more safe than boxing. The problem it seems to me is that everyone seems to want to become a pro boxer these days and this is doomed to happen if numbers are high enough

3 of the above died from circumstances totally unrelated to boxing. : /

[JM1]

what the hell is happening? 2009's been a very bad year.. rip

[The Saracen]

rest in peace francisco this kid could have gone on to become a world champion. what a waste of tallent.

[HvyWeight]

To be fair Chosen One...Arguello, Gatti, and Forrest did not have ring related deaths. I knew Francisco or as we called him "Poncho" and was not only at the fight Friday night, but was sitting with his family at ringside. He lived an hour from me. I announced him in the ring when he was a little kid when I filled in for someone between my boxers' bouts. It was his first amateur fight. I read where someone mentioned him being a National Champion. He was a J.O., Under 19, and Golden Gloves champion in the super heavyweight division. He did all this without really having a gym or trainer. I was very excited about not only seeing him, but several kids I watched grow up in our association. This was the first time I saw Poncho in a couple of years because I've been out of the amateurs. A southpaw with natural power in both hands. He was way to heavy for my liking, but that's another story. Bobby and Poncho fought the best fight out of a 2 night card putting each other down in a back-and-forth battle. Poncho was exhausted and got caught with a 2-3 combo that sent him into the ropes where he fell right in front of us in awkward fashion. I was videoing the bout with my cell phone. Poncho was winning on 2 cards when he got dropped. After not moving for a couple of minutes there was no doubt he was seriously hurt. With respect to his family, I will not go into detail about his injury. I'm going to a kid's funeral that had so much life left that it hurts. All of us that watched him come up are saddened. Just know the kid loved to fight and had the heart of a lion. I don't want to comment on the MMA comparison concerning gloves and knockdowns, but will say it is VERY fortunate someone hasn't died yet in MMA, but given time it will happen so be careful how you voice opinions. I hope I'm not watching when it does. I've been coaching/training for many years in boxing and have had the good fortune of never having a fighter hurt. This was the first incident like this I have witnessed in person and knowing the kid that just turned 21 doesn't make it any easier. There is nobody to blame so I'll put that to rest right away. Francisco went out doing what he loved. Nobody made him do it. This type of thing can happen in any contact sport so don't jump on boxing. I also met Vernon Forrest and will tell anyone, he was a GREAT man in and out of the ring. Hearing this tragic news on the heels of Poncho's death has me super bummed out. May they both rest in peace.

[HvyWeight]

Sorry The Chosen...that remark was meant for that other poster. I haven't been on here in a while.

[Drunken Cat]

To be fair Chosen One...Arguello, Gatti, and Forrest did not have ring related deaths. I knew Francisco or as we called him "Poncho" and was not only at the fight Friday night, but was sitting with his family at ringside. He lived an hour from me. I announced him in the ring when he was a little kid when I filled in for someone between my boxers' bouts. It was his first amateur fight. I read where someone mentioned him being a National Champion. He was a J.O., Under 19, and Golden Gloves champion in the super heavyweight division. He did all this without really having a gym or trainer. I was very excited about not only seeing him, but several kids I watched grow up in our association. This was the first time I saw Poncho in a couple of years because I've been out of the amateurs. A southpaw with natural power in both hands. He was way to heavy for my liking, but that's another story. Bobby and Poncho fought the best fight out of a 2 night card putting each other down in a back-and-forth battle. Poncho was exhausted and got caught with a 2-3 combo that sent him into the ropes where he fell right in front of us in awkward fashion. I was videoing the bout with my cell phone. Poncho was winning on 2 cards when he got dropped. After not moving for a couple of minutes there was no doubt he was seriously hurt. With respect to his family, I will not go into detail about his injury. I'm going to a kid's funeral that had so much life left that it hurts. All of us that watched him come up are saddened. Just know the kid loved to fight and had the heart of a lion. I don't want to comment on the MMA comparison concerning gloves and knockdowns, but will say it is VERY fortunate someone hasn't died yet in MMA, but given time it will happen so be careful how you voice opinions. I hope I'm not watching when it does. I've been coaching/training for many years in boxing and have had the good fortune of never having a fighter hurt. This was the first incident like this I have witnessed in person and knowing the kid that just turned 21 doesn't make it any easier. There is nobody to blame so I'll put that to rest right away. Francisco went out doing what he loved. Nobody made him do it. This type of thing can happen in any contact sport so don't jump on boxing. I also met Vernon Forrest and will tell anyone, he was a GREAT man in and out of the ring. Hearing this tragic news on the heels of Poncho's death has me super bummed out. May they both rest in peace.

Thank you for providing these details, as well as your perspective. A very sad and unfortunate turn of events.

[Drunken Cat]

Also just to clarify, there was an MMA ring death a while back in Texas. Prior to that, an American died some years back in Russia, although he had been medically barred from fighting in the US at the time.

[Dan...]

RIP.

This **** is just horrible.