Pedro Rodriguez, 37, died hours after losing a boxing match in Phoenix against Phillip Vela.
Authorities are probing the cause, as tributes pour in for the seasoned Mexican fighter.
Mexican boxer Pedro Antonio ‘Tony’ Rodriguez has tragically passed away just hours after participating in a professional bout against Phillip Vela in Phoenix, Arizona. The fight, dubbed the “Brawl in the Barrio,” was held over the weekend and sanctioned by the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission, with promotional backing from Del Sol Boxing Promotions.
Rodriguez, aged 37, lost the match via unanimous decision after going six rounds with the undefeated 21-year-old American, Phillip “Sin City Sicilian” Vela, who extended his professional record to 4-0 with the win.
According to reports from Spanish outlet Marca, Rodriguez returned to his hotel room after the fight and even made plans to go out for dinner. However, he failed to show up for his transportation the following morning. Hotel staff later discovered his lifeless body in his room on Sunday morning.
Authorities are still investigating the cause of death, and no official medical report has been released to confirm whether Rodriguez’s death was linked to injuries sustained during the bout.
Rodriguez’s wife, in a statement to the media, expressed her confusion and heartbreak over the sudden death of her husband, who also worked with the Mexican Social Security Institute. She revealed that Rodriguez had called her after the fight and appeared to be in good spirits.
“He called me when his fight ended… He told me that he was going out to buy dinner and that he was coming back because, at 3:30 in the morning, they were going to pick them up to take them to the airport,” she said during an interview.
“I don’t know what really happened… some kind of blow. I don’t know what happened. I am also confused. We have to wait until tomorrow to see what the report says.”
Pedro Rodriguez has been a professional boxer since 2007, with a career spanning 45 fights, including 15 wins and 26 losses, and accumulating over 200 rounds in the ring. Known as a gritty competitor, he often took on younger and more favored opponents across North America.
His sudden passing has cast a shadow over the Arizona boxing event, with fans and members of the boxing community now awaiting the outcome of the official investigation. The Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission has yet to release a public statement, and it’s unclear whether an autopsy has been scheduled.
