Man Dies After Boxing Match in Taipei; Gym Owner, Opponent Investigated

TAIPEI (CNA) — A man in his 30s, surnamed Chen, died yesterday after undergoing emergency surgery following a boxing match held on May 16 at a gym in Taipei's Songshan District. Taipei police have sent the gym's owner and Chen's opponent, surnamed Hsu, for investigation. According to a press release from the Taipei City Police Department's Songshan Precinct tonight, its Songshan Police Station was notified by a hospital yesterday that a patient, Mr. Chen, had died after receiving treatment following a boxing match. Police investigation revealed that the gym in question held a competition on May 16, in which Chen was a participant. He reportedly showed no signs of abnormality before or during the match. However, while resting at the gym after the fight, he suddenly felt dizzy and was accompanied to the hospital by a friend. At around 4 p.m. on May 16, Chen's friend noticed he had lost consciousness. He fell into a coma after emergency surgery and was pronounced dead by the hospital at around 9 a.m. on May 20 after rescue efforts failed. Police subsequently summoned the gym owner, the opponent Mr. Hsu (in his 20s), the match referee, the boxing coach, and on-site paramedics to the station to provide statements. After questioning, the gym owner and Mr. Hsu were transferred to prosecutors on suspicion of negligent homicide. The case has been reported to the Taipei District Prosecutors Office for a judicial autopsy and will be further investigated by prosecutors. (By Huang Li-yun and editor Lee Hsi-chang)