2025 has not been kind to boxing fans of late. From the beloved Ricky Hatton (46) to 17-year-old Arturo Gatti Jr., they’ve mourned the loss of one too many lives. On October 19th, it was a mere 17-year-old from Mexico who succumbed to injuries from a sparring session. It is a day that echoes Lou DiBella’s words from 2019: “It becomes very difficult to explain away or justify the dangers of boxing at a time like this.”

When DiBella uttered those words, calling for the sport to be made safer, Patrick Day had passed away from a traumatic brain injury during a bout. This Sunday, over at a gym in the Potreros del Oeste neighborhood of Aguascalientes, Mexico, Kiara Rubalcaba suffered a similar fate.

Only two months into her boxing journey, Rubalcaba was in training against an experienced opponent when she suffered several blows to her head. Damon Gonzalez, a national boxing writer, reported: “She collapsed and was rushed to the hospital, where she died hours later.”

Combat sports have long sparked debate over their safety and risks. While the UFC has often been criticized as “human cockfighting,” it is boxing that has historically claimed the most lives. Among its tragic cases, Prichard Colon, once a promising talent, suffered permanent paralysis on his left side after a single misstep by an opponent, leaving him dependent on a computer for communication for the rest of his life.

Then, earlier this year, there was the tragedy of two Japanese talents that forced the authorities to make amends.

Shigetoshi Kotari and Hiromasa Urakawa tragically lost their lives in August, after sustaining brain injuries on the same card. The Japanese Pro Boxing Association was forced to vote on emergency measures: reducing the number of bouts, keeping hydration in check, and positioning ambulances. Although details about Kiara’s death remain limited, sparring fatalities are far less common than those in official bouts.

Her young age and limited experience have struck a chord with fans and critics alike, reminiscent of Australian boxer Dwight Ritchie, who tragically died under similar circumstances while sparring in 2019. The incident has sparked a mix of grief and outrage among fight fans, with some directing sharp criticism at the coach.

Coaches under fire following 17-year-old Kiara Rubalcaba’s passing

Mexico has increasingly become a powerhouse for producing world-class fighters, with stars like Canelo Álvarez cementing their names on the global boxing stage. This success continues to inspire a new generation of aspiring boxers, including 17-year-old Kiara Rubalcaba. But the news today has left fans heartbroken.

One wrote, “RIP WARRIOR,” while another added, “RIP, so sad!” There has been no official statement regarding the gym where Kiara Rubalcaba was training at the time of the incident. In Aguascalientes, home to prominent boxing facilities such as Corpus Gym, Unidad Deportiva, and Blue Bear Gym, fans voiced outrage at the perceived negligence of her coaches. Many criticized the decision to place a young, relatively inexperienced boxer into a sparring session.

One fan commented, “Negligence from the coaches. Poor baby. RIP.” Coaches in combat sports—whether boxing, MMA, or kickboxing—understand the importance of carefully selecting sparring partners. Even elite fighters, like Luke Rockhold during his time at the American Kickboxing Academy, trained under the close supervision of experienced coaches like Javier Mendez when working with highly skilled sparring partners such as Islam Makhachev.

Kiara Rubalcaba’s death highlights the dangers when coaches and gyms fail to follow proper safety protocols. Another fan stressed, “Do not hard spar! No need for hard sparring during regular training.” Unfortunately, accidents can occur even with precautions in place. Past incidents, such as former UFC middleweight champion Sean Strickland sparring too aggressively with influencer Sneako, sparked controversy. In Kiara’s case, the outcome is devastating.

Fans reflected on the fragility of life and shared their grief. One wrote, “Why does this happen? Who knows? All I can say is, ‘This is life.’ Live it the best you can! Time, right now, is literally on your side! Do the right thing with it! Rest Easy Champ! Your work is complete.” Another added, “May she rest in heavenly slumber!”

The death of Kiara Rubalcaba has sent shockwaves through the boxing and wider combat sports community, raising urgent questions about safety in gyms. She now joins the tragic list of fighters whose lives were lost due to negligence in sports. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family.