Another bit of unsolicited advice from the Sport of Boxing to all Fighters alike, especially in a new Sport like MMA, where things like this may not be known to happen at all routinely.
(Credit to Dr. Margaret Goodman, Chairperson of the Medical Advisory Board for the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and practicing Neurologist in Las Vegas, NV.)
On March 11th of this year,
Rafael Ortiz passed away at the age of 30 years-old. With only a handful of press reports, the events surrounding this young man's Death hardly came to light until published in Ring Magazine.
Looking at his record, Ortiz was one of Boxing's very solid and reliable Journeymen, stopped only 4 times in 30 Professional Fights, and all by regional or World Titlists in Michael Lucero, Jesse Feliciano (whom some may remember from The Contender) and former World 140lb Champion Lovemore N'Dou. Ortiz was known for always being in-shape, and willing to fight anyone on a moment's notice, and typically winning by KO when he won. N'Dou beat Ortiz with a liver shot, and upon returning to Atlantic City he was sick with the flu. Like most Fighters (too brave for his own good) Rafael was back in the Gym as soon as possible, without telling anyone how bad he felt.
In Washington, unfortunately the State Department of Licensing is overburdened since the Commission was de-Commissioned. So aside from having to schedule, approve matches, and assign officials, the Department also oversees cosmetologists, barbers, and manicurists. Washington has 3 licensed physicians, one per fight, and typically hosts one or two fight cards per month. Fighters submit yearly physicals and undergo pre and post-fight exams. Washington regulation WAC 36-12-310 states that the event physician examine Fighters and referees, and submit a written report to the inspector disclosing the exam results and subsequent recommendations. It also states that the equipment to be utilized for the pre and post-fight exams should consist of but not be limited to, a blood pressure cuff, otoscope, opthalmoscope, pen light, reflex hammer, stethoscope, thermometer, and tongue depressor (typical Doctor kit).
On March 8th when Ortiz fought, the ring physician Dr. Antoine Johnson was not properly equipped. Rafael went into his Fight with a fever, and another Fighter commented that they didn't receive the pre-fight physicals due to lack of equipment. This was later confirmed by Trudy Touchette, who Administrates the State Department of Licensing, and Barry Druxman (Washington Official and President of International Professional Ring Officials) who was on Judge duty that night. Druxman reported the Doctor's exam consisted of feeling the Fighter's hands, looking in his eyes, asking how he felt, and nothing more. Druxman suggested to the State Officials that the Doctor borrow the attending Ambulance Crew's equipment, nothing was done.
During the Fight, everyone who knew Ortiz (who made his Pro debut in Oregon and was well-regarded in the Northwestern Boxing Community) said something was wrong with him from the start of the bout. Between rounds 6 and 7 he was complaining of inability to breathe. The Doctor checked him, but again didn't have any equipment. After a corner stoppage he was sent to the Hospital. He had a high fever and a cut, he continued to complain of feeling ill and was later admitted to two Hospitals in Oregon. Apparently, Ortiz later died in Oregon Health Services University, of viral myocarditis (inflammation of the Heart muscle) brought on by influenza, the Flu he never quite got over. Had the pre-fight exam been conducted with the proper Medical equipment, the Doctor might have detected Ortiz's irregular breathing and fever.
The moral of the story? Two things:
1) Don't fight sick, at least not with what you know is the Flu. 20 percent of sudden Death in young adults is due to myocarditis, which as you see can be easily brought on by influenza.
2) As a fledgling Fighter you have every right to object to Fighting if attending Officials are ill-equipped or incompetent, or to request more thorough procedures. Afterall, it's your life on the line.
Boxing didn't kill Rafael Ortiz, and it's quite shameful his Death was swept under the proverbial rug. But that perhaps has to do with the failures on many many levels to do the appropriate things to keep him healthy.
Know thy Athletic Commission: 
