Boxing has turned fatal. Just two days after referees were forced to stop the boxing match between the adopted Chicagoan Francisco “Paco” Rodriguez and Teon Kennedy in the 10th round of a bout to claim the regional title, Rodriguez passed away.

The 25-year-old rising star was rushed to the hospital after falling unconscious shortly after losing the USBA super bantamweight fight on Nov.  20. Rodriguez immediately fell into a coma and was pronounced dead on Nov. 22 due to a brain injury suffered during the fight.

The bout was Rodriguez’s first fight outside of Chicago and first title shot.

However, the former Golden Gloves winner’s death will be used to save lives. The family announced that Rodriguez’s organs will be donated to at least eight people, including his uncle.

Not only is this a tremendous loss for the Rodriguez family, it is also a big loss for the Chicago boxing community.

Rodriguez grew up near Garfield Park in Chicago and became a local hero in the Latin community, where he was known as “Kid Aztec.”

Because of Rodriguez’s death, many have begun speaking out against the sport.

Some feel that boxing is too dangerous and should be abolished. However, boxing greats like Sugar Ray Leonard have come out in its defense.

“The idea is to hit your opponent, to batter him if necessary,” Leonard said. “If you don’t, he’ll hit and batter you. Every so often, a boxer dies. Whenever that happens, some people like to shout that boxing should be outlawed, that it’s unnecessarily brutal. Most of the time, the shouters are politicians who know it’s an easy way to get their name in the newspapers. But an occasional death doesn’t mean a sport should be abolished. If that were the case, auto racing should be abolished. So should football.”

Though Rodriguez’s death is tragic and a loss for the Chicago boxing community, boxing is a credible sport that has introduced such greats as Leonard, Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. And Rodriguez’s death will be used to help others.

In a statement his family said, “Our uncle has been on the waiting list for a kidney transplant for a long time. So although we’ve tragically lost Paco, we’re able to give this incredible gift of life to another

family member.”

Donations can be made to the Francisco Rodriguez Estate fund account at any Chase Bank location to help the family with medical expenses.