Pedro Antonio ‘Tony’ Rodriguez: Mexican Boxer Found Dead in Hotel Hours After Fight
- A Mexican boxer was found in a hotel room by staff hours after losing a six-round fight on Saturday, July 5, to Phillip Vela
- The 37-year-old was planning to go to dinner with friends, but failed to show up at the hotel lobby
- He becomes the latest fighter in a list of at least three to lose his life after a bout, sending the boxing community into mourning
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A Mexican boxer has tragically passed away in his hotel room following a fight in Arizona, leaving the boxing community shocked and heartbroken.
Source: Getty Images
Boxing has seen many tragic deaths over the years, with the boxer now adding to a long list of fighters who have lost their lives during or after a bout.
Which boxer died after fight?
Pedro Antonio 'Tony' Rodriguez, 37, was found dead in his hotel just hours after losing to Phillip Vella in a super-bantamweight bout on Saturday evening in the USA.
Rodriguez battled Vella in Arizona at the American Royal Palace in a clash dubbed 'Brawl in the Barrio' organised by the Del Sol Boxing Promotions.
The late boxer lost to Vella via a unanimous decision after six rounds of fighting.
According to Marca, Rodriguez was planning on going out for dinner with some boxers from his card after returning to the hotel.
His wife, Karla Valenzuela, opened up on her husband's final moments with a statement.
"He called me when his fight was over. Even when the show was over and he went back to the hotel, he talked to me, he made a video call. He told me he was going out to buy dinner and that he would be back because at 3:30 in the morning they were going to pick them up to take them to the airport, that was the only thing we talked about. I don't know what really happened," she said via Marca.
The following morning, hotel staff opened the door to his room after he failed to appear for the airport shuttle and did not answer calls. They discovered his lifeless body shortly afterwards.
What did Rodriguez's opponent say?
Vella, his last opponent, shared a moving tribute.
“Grateful to have shared the ring with Pedro for six rounds. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest in peace, champ,” he wrote.
The bout against Vella was his second fight in 2025. In May, he was knocked out by Ethan Perez. Before that, he had taken a six-year break from the sport.
Source: Getty Images
Police are investigating the death, and no details have been provided.
Rodriguez made his debut in 2007 and died with a record of 15 wins and 25 losses, per BeIn Sports.
Which other boxers died during or after a fight?
Boxers who step into the ring put their lives on the line. While most return home with little to no injuries, there are a few who never make it.
Boxers have been losing their lives after fights for decades.
Russian boxer Roman Simakov died after getting knocked out in 2011. He had brain surgery, but he never recovered, per Reuters.
Scottish boxer Mike Towell died in 2016 after a head injury following a fight against Welsh fighter Dale Evans.
Nigerian boxer dies in ring
In a related story, TUKO.co.ke reported that Nigerian boxer Gabriel Oluwasegun Olanrewaju died after collapsing in the ring.
Olanrewaju went down in the third round and failed to get up after the referee's countdown, prompting the medics to jump into action.
They provided emergency care and took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead 30 minutes after arrival.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
