He fought for a boxing belt. He finished the bout, but unfortunately, he is faced with another fight – a fight for his life that if won, would be the greatest fight of his life.

Ilonggo boxer and undefeated flyweight contender Carlo Maquinto was in a comat after he received consecutive hard punches in crucial parts of his head and body from his opponent Mark Joseph Acosta during their fight January 28 at Caloocan City.

Maquinto fought well, said analysts, as if living up to his 6-0-1,4Kos record which gives him a good prospects in his future boxing career.

But doctors said a blood clot in his brain put him in a coma. Worst, Maquinto is too weak and might not be able to survive an operation.

Organizers of the event said the fight was held with utmost professional caution and the referee did a good job in “officiating” the bout. However, some boxing analysts said incidents like this can be prevented if the referees are observant enough to notice the changes in a boxer’s movements – mostly the involuntary ones like those of his eyes and muscles. It is always a tendency of a boxer to stand up and fight but it is up to the referee to determine if they can really continue with the fight.

There will be an investigation that will determine what really happened. While we are not casting blame against anyone, it is only just that whoever would be found accountable will be met with due punishment.

Meantime, Ilonggos are called to join the rest of the boxing world to pray and hope that Carlo would survive his fight for life.*