20-year-old student boxer Marc Mateo Castillo from Occidental Mindoro State College (OMSC) passed away, one day after participating in a battle at the 2025 State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) National Games in Camiguin province.
The victim competed in the national intercollegiate athletic competition on behalf of the Southern Tagalog region.
In the third round, Castillo's bout with a participant from the National Capital Region was reported to have concluded via referee stoppage.
Efforts to save him
After being sent to Camiguin General Hospital, he was declared dead the next day.
The cause of death is yet unknown.
Occidental Mindoro State College announced in a statement that it has coordinated with the State Colleges and Universities Athletic Association (SCUAA) and other pertinent agencies to make transport arrangements for the remains easier.
The SCUAA National Games, a major athletic event that unites more than 4,700 athletes and coaches from state colleges and universities around the Philippines, featured the boxing contest.
Boxing’s serious risks
Boxing can offer discipline and fitness for teenagers, but it also carries serious risks, especially for those whose bodies and brains are still developing.
Repeated blows to the head can cause concussions and long-term brain injuries, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Eye injuries, broken bones, and facial damage are also common.
