The sport of boxing and Nicaragua mourns the death today of boxing trainer Arnulfo Obando, the longtime coach of Roman “Chocolatito” González. Obando passed away this Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 9:15 A.M. in the Vivian Pellas Hospital in Nicaragua.
Obando had to be rushed to the hospital on Monday, October 31st after suffering a stroke; reportedly he had complained of weakness in his arms, and had a bad headache before collapsing; he had to undergo surgery on November 2nd due to aneurysm, and remained in the intensive care unit; days later, however, the doctors informed the family that Obando’s brain had suffered irreversible damage, he was declared brain dead and was kept alive only with the assistance of a ventilator.
The family was waiting for some family members to arrive and have a chance to say good-bye before removing the machines this week; yet Arnulfo suffered a heart attack this morning that ended his life.
Chocolatito Gonzalez, remained by his mentor’s side throughout the whole process and expressed his sadness through social media.
Obando was in Chocolatito’s corner in three of the four times that he was crowned champion, they began working together in 2010 when Gonzalez, now a four-division world champion, was defending his title against Ivan Meneses.
Arnulfo Obando was born in 1962 he was an amateur boxer, and a former member of Nicaragua’s army, he was a boxing trainer and matchmaker and enjoyed cooking; according to Nicaraguan journalist Levy Luna who has followed Gonzalez’ career, Obando was Chocolatito’s favorite chef. In 2015 he was nominated for The Ring Magazine’s Trainer of the Year award.
Obando’s last time in the ring assisting Gonzalez (46-0, 38 KO’s), was September 10, 2016, in the title match against Carlos Cuadras when Chocolatito came out victorious in a very difficult fight and earned the WBC World Super Flyweight Title.
Carlos Blandon, Gonzalez’ manager stated “We have a team of three trainers, we will not hire any other trainer and Roman will maintain his other two trainers, Luis Gonzalez and Wilmer Hernandez”. Gonzalez doesn’t have another fight scheduled yet.
This were Roman’s heartfelt last words to his trainer: “We never say good bye, see you later, I know you are with the Lord, we will fight for you, we will fight and we will do things right, like we always have, I love you, watch over me, wherever you are“
Article courtesy of Costa Rica Star
Obando had to be rushed to the hospital on Monday, October 31st after suffering a stroke; reportedly he had complained of weakness in his arms, and had a bad headache before collapsing; he had to undergo surgery on November 2nd due to aneurysm, and remained in the intensive care unit; days later, however, the doctors informed the family that Obando’s brain had suffered irreversible damage, he was declared brain dead and was kept alive only with the assistance of a ventilator.
The family was waiting for some family members to arrive and have a chance to say good-bye before removing the machines this week; yet Arnulfo suffered a heart attack this morning that ended his life.
Chocolatito Gonzalez, remained by his mentor’s side throughout the whole process and expressed his sadness through social media.
Obando was in Chocolatito’s corner in three of the four times that he was crowned champion, they began working together in 2010 when Gonzalez, now a four-division world champion, was defending his title against Ivan Meneses.
Arnulfo Obando was born in 1962 he was an amateur boxer, and a former member of Nicaragua’s army, he was a boxing trainer and matchmaker and enjoyed cooking; according to Nicaraguan journalist Levy Luna who has followed Gonzalez’ career, Obando was Chocolatito’s favorite chef. In 2015 he was nominated for The Ring Magazine’s Trainer of the Year award.
Obando’s last time in the ring assisting Gonzalez (46-0, 38 KO’s), was September 10, 2016, in the title match against Carlos Cuadras when Chocolatito came out victorious in a very difficult fight and earned the WBC World Super Flyweight Title.
Carlos Blandon, Gonzalez’ manager stated “We have a team of three trainers, we will not hire any other trainer and Roman will maintain his other two trainers, Luis Gonzalez and Wilmer Hernandez”. Gonzalez doesn’t have another fight scheduled yet.
This were Roman’s heartfelt last words to his trainer: “We never say good bye, see you later, I know you are with the Lord, we will fight for you, we will fight and we will do things right, like we always have, I love you, watch over me, wherever you are“
Article courtesy of Costa Rica Star
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