Nov 24, 2009 6:43 pm US/Central
Family Of Deceased Boxer Donates His Organs
Francisco Rodriguez, Known As 'El Nino Azteka,' Died After Bout In Phiadelphia
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Professional boxer Francisco Rodriguez died on Nov. 22, 2009, two days after a 10th round knockout loss to Teon Kennedy at Philadelphia's Blue Horizon.
phillyboxinghistory.com
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Francisco Rodriguez takes a punch from Teon Kennedy during their championship fight. Rodriquez died after being knocked out in the 10th round.
phillyboxinghistory.com
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Francisco Rodriguez sits slumped in his corner after being knocked out by Teon Kennedy for the vacant USBA super bantamweight title.
phillyboxinghistory.com
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Professional boxer Francisco Rodriguez died on Nov. 22, 2009, two days after a 10th round knockout loss to Teon Kennedy at Philadelphia's Blue Horizon.
CBS
His friends called him the boxer with the big heart. Now that heart will likely beat in someone else. The family of Francisco Rodriguez made a big decision after his death that will help other people live. As CBS 2's Kristyn Hartman reports, it's a case that's shedding light on the shortage of Hispanic organ donors.
Even though the donor consent rate is way up for Hispanics in Illinois, nationally the numbers lag.
Gift of Hope says Hispanics make up about 17 percent of the national organ wait list, but account for about 13 percent of all donors.
Officials hope Rodriguez's story could help bridge the gap.
Chicago's tight-knit boxing community lost a brother when Francisco Rodriguez died.
Pro boxer Rudy Cisneros said, "It's so hard to believe."
Just 25 years old, Rodriguez, who was a husband and a new father to Jeanette, was on the cusp of doing bigger things in his sport.
But during Friday night's fight in Philadelphia, blows to the head caused him to collapse in the ring.
His brother Alex Rodriguez said, "We hoped for a miracle which we never got."
So, they're giving a miracle to so many others, including a relative.
Grief did not blind the Rodriguez family to what they could do in the most tragic of circumstances. They decided to donate Francisco's organs.
"Unfortunately, I lost my brother, but he's helping at least eight others to be better people," said Rodriguez. "I hope everybody realizes that and does the same thing."
It's an important message, especially in the Latino community, where there's a need. Stats show historically Hispanics are reluctant donors.
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White said, "When donation comes from the same ethnic group, the match is easier."
Rodriguez's brother said, "This is what he would have wanted in the end."
People who trained with him at the Garfield Park Field House aren't surprised at all.
George Hernandez said, "They're a giving family."
Cisneros said Francisco was no exception: "He was a small-weight fighter, but his heart was as big as the universe."
If you'd like to learn more about organ donation,
click here.
If you'd like to help the Rodriguez family, you can make a donation to the Francisco Rodriguez Estate fund at any Chase Bank location.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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