Young boxer Claro dies

Boxer Jeffrey Claro never woke up from a coma and passed away at 11 a.m. on Sunday at Ospital ng Maynila. He just turned 20 five days ago.

According to the Facebook page of the Games and Amusements Board, Claro went down during a sparring session in Mandaluyong City on Friday afternoon and lapsed into a coma.

The remains of Claro, who was due to fight this November, will be brought home to Palawan this Thursday.

GAB Chair Abraham Mitra was at the hospital when Claro, who held a 1-win, 4-loss card, died.

Mitra’s group together with Singwancha Foundation representatives arranged for Claro’s mortuary and funeral services, transport to the province and financial assistance.

Claro was part of the group that was found by GAB to have submitted fake computed tomography (CT) scans and was asked to submit new results with plates. His license was never revoked but he was disallowed to have professional fights until he submits a new CT scan.

Claro did so and was scheduled to fight, but it got postponed twice because he underwent a tooth extraction and contracted urinary tract infection (UTI).

“My sincerest condolences to the family of Jeffrey whose death is a great loss to to Philippine boxing,” said Mitra. —ROY LUARCA