ARGENTINE BOXER HUGO Santillan has died from injuries sustained in his draw with Uruguay’s Eduardo Javier Abreu in Bueonos Aires on Saturday.

The 23-year-old’s tragic passing is the second to devastate the sport inside a week, coming just two days after Russia’s Maxim Dadashev — also a light-welterweight — died in Maryland, USA, following a world-title eliminator last Friday.

Santillan’s death was confirmed by the World Boxing Council (WBC), for whose minor continental belt he fought last weekend. The WBC’s statement on Thursday read:

RIP Hugo Santillan. He passed away from injuries suffered during Saturday’s fight which ended in a draw.

Following his fight, Santillan was seen being held upright by his corner while the result of his fight was announced. He eventually collapsed to the canvas, requiring oxygen before being taken to hospital.

The former South American super-featherweight champion underwent surgery after developing a clot on his brain.

He suffered kidney failure and went into a coma, with the cause of death reported as being heart failure in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“Upon admission to the hospital, he had successive kidney failure and he did not come out of his coma,” stated Dr. Graciela Olocco, director of the hospital to which Santillan was admitted.

“He had swelling of his brain and he never recovered consciousness. The swelling continued to worsen and it affected the functioning of the rest of his organs.”