Boxing in Shock: Former World Champion Jorge Castro Dies at 59

The boxing world is in mourning: Jorge Castro, the former middleweight world champion nicknamed “El Roña,” has died at the age of 59. According to La Nación, the former Argentine boxer suffered a sudden illness while at a bingo hall with his daughter Quimey and his ex-partner.

Castro’s career was marked by major achievements, beginning in 1989, when he won the Argentine middleweight title. The following year, he also won the South American championship, the first step toward international recognition, which came on August 12, 1994. On that day, in San Miguel de Tucumán, he defeated American Reggie Johnson, winning the WBA middleweight world title.

Among the most memorable fights of his career was the one held on December 10, 1994, in Monterrey, Mexico, against American John David Jackson. Castro was trailing, but he managed to turn the tide of the match with a powerful left hook that sent his opponent to the canvas. It was a spectacular comeback that earned him a victory destined to go down in boxing history.

After hanging up his gloves, Castro remained an active figure in the community, dedicating himself to social causes. In the Buenos Aires area, he ran soup kitchens for the poor and community centers, offering support to people in need. This commitment has been a constant in his life after leaving the ring, complementing his athletic successes with concrete action to help those most in need.