Cage-fighting bosses face manslaughter trial after 23-year-old was killed in ‘absurd’ bout worth pennies
CAGE-FIGHTING bosses are facing a manslaughter trial after organising a UFC-style bout where a 23-year-old fighter died.
Prosecutors say that three men “neglected essential safety measures” that could have saved victim Joao Victor Penha, who tragically passed away after he was knocked out in the 2023 bout.
The Brazilian state of Ceara say the trio failed to provide headguards and gumshields and made no pre-fight medical checks.
Penha was allegedly put in the ring with a far more powerful and experienced opponent.
Last year, before the funeral the victim’s sister Lilia Maria da Penha, told local media: “These fights are an absolute absurdity.
“The winner of the fight would get BRL 100 (GBP £16), and the loser would receive BRL 50 (GBP £8).
“My brother’s life was lost over this amount, unfortunately.”
Prosecutor Laua Uchoa said: “Three men will answer for the crime of manslaughter. There was negligence in the organisation of the event.”
One of the accused has been named as Marcio Marcelo Santos, who at the time was the Secretary of Sport in Jijoca de Jericoacoara, where the unlicensed fight took place.
Prosecutors say he allowed the fight to go ahead despite the lack of basic safety requirements.
Fight organisers Pedro Henrique Rodrigues do Nascimento and Natanael William de Queiroz Sousa, were also charged with manslaughter.
Prosecutors say they failed to follow any of the safety advice given by fight regulators “creating a fatal risk for sportsmen.”
After Penha was knocked cold by a punch to the chin in the bout and was rushed to a hospital intensive care unit.
The following day after the blow, on October 8, he was transferred in critical condition to a hospital in nearby Sobral.
The young man was pronounced dead on Tuesday 10 October.
A hospital statement read: “After conducting examinations, the patient was declared brain dead, which also led to a cardiac arrest.”
A range of reports state that he appeared to be on the front foot for most of the bout, which was filmed by an onlooker and had a boxing referee plus safety mats on the ground.
Away from his aspiring boxing ambitions, Joao Victor was employed as an HR manager at a hotel on the coast and lived in Jijoca de Jericoacoara with his family.
His sister added: “I don’t even know what to say, especially after the tragedy with my brother.
“We didn’t want him to participate. We were all very concerned; my mother asked him not to participate, sensing that something more serious could happen.
“We talked to him, but he asked for our support, and then we had no choice.”