Manila, Philippines, April 26, 2021: The Philippines sports community is in mourning following the passing of a champion boxer, Genebert Basadre, at the age of 37.
“Gone too soon. Thank you for bringing honor to our country, Genebert,” said the 2019 SEA Games Facebook account. The Philippine Sports Commission also posted a tribute.
ESPN5 reported that the former Asian Games bronze medallist and Southeast Asian Games gold medalist died on Sunday, days after collapsing at his home in Cagayan de Oro City.
After winning SEA Games gold at home in Bacolod, Philippines in 2005, the lightweight went on to take bronze at the Asian Games Doha 2006, losing in the semi-finals to China’s Hu Qing, the eventual champion at 60kg.
Basadre left the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) stable in 2010 to pursue a career in the Philippine Army, but remained helpful to budding boxers in his hometown as a coach, reports ESPN5.
ABAP Secretary General Ed Picson expressed shock upon learning the news of Basadre's death.
"He was so young and was dedicated, soft-spoken and well-liked. The news is startling, to say the least," Picson said.
