Elderly dies of heart attack while watching Pacquiao fight in Zamboanga City

Filipinos are cheerful people in general, as shown here during one of the many winning Manny Pacquiao fights. INQUIRER file photo

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines – Watching the so-called ”Fight of the Century” proved fatal to a man with heart illness.

Catalino Guevarra, 69, a resident of Barangay (village) Talon-Talon, was found dead on the living room couch by his family during the 12th round of the Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight on Sunday.

His wife Rosasonia “was shocked to find her husband Catalino, not moving, stuck in the couch, eyes wide open as if still watching TV at the 11th round. .. Her husband was no longer breathing,” Senior Supt. Angelito Casimiro, the city police director, said.

The Guevarra family rushed the man to a nearby hospital but he was declared dead on arrival by the attending physician. Rosasonia said her husband died of a heart attack.

She said the progress of the fight probably affected her husband, who was emotional about the fight.

Assessing the city’s peace and order during the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight, Casimiro said the situation before, during and after the fight “was totally peaceful, crime-free, except for an old man who expired while watching the fight.” SFM/AU