The world of boxing is in mourning following the death of George Castro, the former middleweight world champion from Argentina. He was 59 years old. Castro, who fought 144 professional bouts during his twenty-year career, passed away on Wednesday, October 14th, due to a heart attack.
The death occurred at a bingo hall in the city of Morón, Argentina. Castro suddenly experienced chest pain, and within just 15 minutes, his life ended. His passing has caused a wave of sorrow among sports fans.
George Castro's daughter, Quimeli, reported that they had gone out with his mother. Everything was going normally until Castro complained of chest pain. Initially, the pain was mild, but it soon became unbearable. According to Quimeli, the family immediately notified the attending staff. Castro was moved to a separate room where cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was administered to save him. However, despite all efforts, doctors could not save his life. The entire tragedy unfolded in just fifteen minutes. Officials also stated that the death was due to natural causes.
George Castro began his professional boxing career in 1987. His dream of becoming a world champion was realized in 1994 when he defeated Reggie Johnson by split decision, winning the WBA middleweight title. This victory was particularly significant as he had previously been unable to win a world title against Terry Norris. Nevertheless, Castro did not give up and managed to secure a respected place in the world of boxing through diligent training.
One of the most memorable episodes in George Castro's career was the fight against David Jackson. At the beginning of this bout, he sustained serious injuries and was under constant pressure. It seemed the fight was slipping away from him, but Castro did not surrender. He achieved an incredible victory by knocking out Jackson in the ninth round. This astonishing comeback brought him particular fame among boxing fans. Furthermore, Castro fought legendary boxers such as Roberto Duran and Roy Jones Jr.
Throughout his career, which spanned nearly two decades and included many brilliant fights, George Castro was very popular in Argentina. He was recognized not only as a world champion but also as a fighter who fights until the end. Castro married six times and left behind partner Noél Villagiralolo, 15 children, and 14 grandchildren. His death has deeply shaken not only his family but also the boxing community around the world.