Boxer Kenneth Egano passes away after four days in coma following boxing match

Filipino boxer Kenneth Egano passed away on Wednesday after being comatose for four days from a boxing match.

The 22-year-old Egano figured in an eight-round bout against Jason Facularin last week at the Imus Sports Gymnasium in Imus, Cavite, last Saturday and won the fight by way of unanimous decision.

According to a report by Cedric Castillo on 24 Oras, Egano was rushed to the hospital even before the fight was called.

"Naka-medical naman at saka bago umakyat ng ring, may doctor naman. Wala namang nakita na kung anong issue. Kundisyon 'yung boxer ko na lumalaban ng 1st hanggang 8th round," head coach Dexter Benatero said. 

"Nung bumalik sa corner namin, kasi blue corner kami bumalik na doon, 'yun nga nagsabi sa akin na, coach parang nahihilo ako."

("He underwent a medical and before he entered the ring, there was a doctor. There was no issue found. The boxer was in good condition when he fought from the first to the 8th round... When he returned to our corner, we were the blue corner so he returned there, that's when he said, coach, I think I'm getting dizzy.")

Egano was already in a coma when he arrived in the hospital allegedly due to the formation of a blood clot in his head.

Anabella Egano, the mother of Kenneth, was still in disbelief as she learned of her son's passing.

"Para akong nahimatay sa ospital, pero wala na akong magawa kasi wala na siyang buhay. Kasi hanggang ngayon, hindi ko pa matanggap na patay ang anak ko," said Anabella Egano, the mother of Kenneth.

"Mahirap tanggapin kasi mahaba lang 'yung pinakita niya sa amin, ang kabutihan niya sa mga tao. Sabi ko 'Bakit si Kenneth pa? Mabait naman 'yung anak ko. Pero paano, wala akong magawa kasi noong umalis sila ng GenSan buhay pa. Pagbalik niya bukas doon, bangkay na."

("It was like I fainted in the hospital, but there was nothing I could do because he was gone. Until now, I can't accept that my son is dead... It's hard to accept because he showed his kindness towards people. I said, 'Why did it have to be Kenneth? My son was a good person. But there's nothing I can do because when he left GenSan, he was alive. When he returns tomorrow, he's just a body.")

Even Kenneth's father Joel was shocked as he witnessed his son's strength.

"Ngayon lang, suntok ka nang suntok. Matapang na bata," he said.

("I only saw him now, he punched and punched. He was a brave kid.")

The production company behind the Blow-by-Blow fight card said they will make sure that all of the Egano family's needs will be acted upon.

"Na-settle na po ang hospital bills, baka hanggang bukas ang burol ni Kenneth dito (Imus). Settled din po 'yan," CEO Marife Barrera said, adding that they are working with the airlines to bring Kenneth's body home in Sarangani.

("The hospital bills have been settled. The wake of Kenneth will be until tomorrow here. The costs have also been settled.")

Barrea added that all expenses will be shouldered by Manny Pacquiao.

—with reporting from JM Siasat/Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA Integrated News