Amateur female boxer dies

**BOUNCER** · 04-06-2005, 10:17 AM

http://www.insidefighting.com/betwe...p.aspx?uid=1674

Female Boxer Dies After Amateur Bout - 4/5/2005
by Associated Press

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DENVER - A female boxer died from a head injury sustained in ther Colorado Golden Gloves amateur competition, the Denver County coroner's office said.

Becky Zerlentes, 34, of Fort Collins, died Sunday afternoon, Howard Daniel said. The preliminary cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head, but results from an autopsy conducted Monday were not immediately available.

Zerlentes was hit by a punch from Heather Schmitz, and despite wearing protective headgear fell unconscious during the third round of a bout late Saturday, USA Boxing spokeswoman Julie Goldsticker said.

Physicians jumped into the ring, but Zerlentes never regained consciousness and died several hours later. Zerlentes had a 6-4 record.

"The USA Boxing family's thoughts and prayers go out to Becky's family and husband; we are deeply saddened by this loss," said USA Boxing president Sandy Martinez-Pino.

USA Boxing is the sanctioning body for amateur boxing. The organization lifted its ban on women in 1993 and currently has 2,200 registered participants.

Zerlentes is believed to be the first of her gender to receive a fatal injury in a sanctioned amateur match in the United States.

Goldsticker said the last death at a USA Boxing event was in February 2001, when heavyweight Quinton Grier, 31, of Springfield, Illinois, died after a match.

**LeanMeOut** · 04-06-2005, 10:18 AM

Very sad

Must have been some punch.

**BOUNCER** · 04-06-2005, 10:33 AM

Becky Zerlentes, left, during a Golden Gloves boxing match against Heather Schmitz in Denver on Saturday. Photo: AP

April 6, 2005 - 6:46Aage Tools

**phwSSJ** · 04-06-2005, 12:51 PM

****, makes you think.. twice about fighting.

That kind of thing is very rare though, but you never know what could go wrong!!!

RIP Becky!

**BOUNCER** · 04-06-2005, 03:25 PM

Yes, the poor girl. Her family and friends must be going through hell. Not to mention her opponent.

Rest In Peace young lady.

**phwSSJ** · 04-06-2005, 05:49 PM

like the new avatar! BOUNCER

**GQ-Bouncer** · 04-07-2005, 08:53 AM

RIP Beck

**darmadoc** · 04-07-2005, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by BOUNCER

Yes, the poor girl. Her family and friends must be going through hell. Not to mention her opponent.

Rest In Peace young lady.

I agree. I bet the woman who hit her will never get over that.

**GQ-Bouncer** · 04-07-2005, 12:10 PM

breaking this down to science

she (the victim becky) mustve suffered many, many head injuries prior to the match, and infact probably shouldnt have been boxing, I think that someone - notably doctors - are responsable

I cant read the article (page not found) - but im assuming she died of an anurism or something of that nature

**jonny boy wales** · 04-09-2005, 10:33 AM

Link is working for me .

But it is very sad...i hate to say but woman aint built to take punches and i hate watching girls fight when i go to shows...they should wear 12-14oz gloves to stop big impact punches.