Fan suffers fatal heart attack while watching Pacquiao-Thurman fight


By Jhon Aldrin Casinas

A 68-year-old boxing fan died from suspected heart attack while watching the fight between Senator Manny Pacquiao and Keith Thurman in a covered court in Marikina City on Sunday.

Heart attack (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Heart attack (MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)

Marikina City Police chief Col. Restituto Arcanghel identified the fatality as Salvador Abay of Barangay Malanday, Marikina City.

Initial investigation revealed Abay was inside Manotoc Covered Court in Barangay Sto. Niño at around 12:10 p.m. watching the boxing match when he suddenly collapsed.

He was watching the first round of the match when the Filipino knocked down the American.

Police said the court was filled with fans cheering for the Filipino boxing legend when Abay collapsed.

An emergency rescue team responded and brought Abay to Amang Rodriguez Medical Center.

“When he was brought to the hospital, he was already pronounced dead on-arrival,” Arcanghel told The Manila Bulletin.

“We suspect that he suffered an heart attack. According to his relatives, he was under medication for his heart ailment,” the police chief added.

Arcanghel said they were waiting for the official pronouncement of the attending physician to determine the real cause of his death.

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