Husband and trainer of boxing star Sabrina Perez dies at 58 after suffering a heart attack at ringside during her WBC interim featherweight title defeat by Skye Nicolson
- Diego Arrua suffered a heart attack between the ninth and ten rounds of the fight
- Sabrina Perez was defeated by a unanimous points decision by Skye Nicolson
- The Argentinian – from Buenos Aires – had left the ring when the result was read out
Diego Arrua, the husband and trainer of boxing star Sabrina Perez, has died at the age of 58 after a heart attack.
Arrua was ringside for his partner’s interim WBC featherweight title fight against Australia’s Skye Nicolson on Friday before suffering a fatal heart attack in Perez’s corner.
His collapse occurred between the ninth and tenth rounds of the fight, and he was unfortunately unable to recover.
The tragic news was confirmed by WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman on social media, announcing that Arrua had passed away in Tijuana.
“It is with great sadness that we have been informed of the sudden death of Argentine coach Diego Arua, who suffered a devastating heart attack during Sabrina Pérez’s fight in Tijuana,” Sulaiman wrote.
Diego Arrua (right) was the trainer and husband of boxing star Sabrina Perez (left)
Arrua suffered a fatal heart attack on the sidelines of Perez’s interim WBC featherweight title fight with Skye Nicolson
The 58-year-old collapsed during the ninth and 10th rounds of Perez’s defeat on Friday
“The medical services did everything possible and he died at QDEP General Hospital.”
Perez ultimately lost the fight in a unanimous points decision, but was not in the ring when the result was announced.
She had entered the fray after victories over Silvia Fernanda Zararias and Yollis Marrugo Franco, but the defeat to the Australian opponent has seen the WBC’s interim 126-pound title slip away.
Sulaiman’s announcement was followed by a tribute from Matchroom Boxing, who offered their “thoughts and condolences” to Perez.
“RIP Diego,” they wrote on X. “Our thoughts and condolences are with Sabrina Perez and your loved ones.”
The fight was broadcast on DAZN and was part of the Matchroom Boxing Show at Tijuana’s Auditorio Municipal Fausto Gutierrez.
