Pedro Alcázar

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Pedro Alcazar

Career Snapshot
Born	16 September 1975
Died	23 June 2002
Total Fights
Won
Lost
Drew
No contest
Knockouts
Titles Won	WBO Super Flyweight

Guillermo Gonzalez, better known as Pedro "El Rockero" Alcázar (16 September 1975 in Zapayal, Panama – 23 June 2002) was a Panamanian boxer who won the WBO Super flyweight championship, and then sustained fatal injuries in the ring.

[edit] Background

A single parent of two, Alcazar first began boxing at the age of 10 and was the Panamanian Golden Gloves champion and a Gold Medalist in the Central American Games.

He was a protege of the legendary Hall of Famer Roberto Duran, who was a pallbearer at his funeral.

[edit] Death

Alcazar's death shocked the boxing world. He lost his title to Fernando Montiel in Las Vegas, Nevada on 22 June 2002. Immediately following the bout, Alcazar was declared healthy by ringside doctors, with no visible signs of any trauma. He went sightseeing the day after the fight and was in his hotel room getting ready to fly back to Panama when he collapsed. He was taken to hospital, where he died.

This was the first time in boxing history that a boxer is known to have collapsed so long after the end of a fight. The boxing authorities have discussed compulsory medical testing for boxers up to 48 hours after a fight finishes, longer than theretofore. There was already concern following the Michael Watson case, which in the United Kingdom established the principle that the authorities have a wide responsibility for the health and safety of boxers (and spectators too). Alcazar's death highlighted the manner in which it can take an extended time before potentially life-threatening symptoms present themselves.