17.04.2025 16:51
A manslaughter case has been filed against three organizers for the death of 23-year-old Joao Victor Penha in an unlicensed fight organization held in Brazil. It was stated that the organizers disregarded basic safety measures, failed to provide helmets and mouthguards to the fighters, and did not conduct health checks.
Three organizers have been charged with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of 23-year-old Joao Victor Penha at an unlicensed fight event held in Brazil.
The details of the incident are as follows:
It has emerged that basic safety measures were disregarded during the fight event held last year in the town of Jijoca de Jericoacoara in the state of Ceara, Brazil. The organizers not only failed to provide helmets and mouthguards for the fighters but also did not conduct mandatory health checks before the match.
The young athlete Joao Victor Penha, who entered the ring defenseless, was matched against a much more experienced and stronger opponent. Penha was knocked out by a hard punch to the jaw during the fight and was immediately taken to the hospital. However, his condition worsened, and he passed away on October 10, two days after the knockout, due to brain death.
Prosecutor Laua Uchoa stated regarding the case: "The three organizers will be tried for involuntary manslaughter. There was serious negligence in the organization of the event."
Among the accused are the then-local Minister of Sports Marcio Marcelo Santos and fight organizers Pedro Henrique Rodrigues do Nascimento and Natanael William de Queiroz Sousa. The prosecution claims that these individuals disregarded the basic safety rules that should be followed in fight organizations and "created a fatal risk for the athletes."
The deceased athlete's sister, Lilia Maria da Penha, expressed her feelings about the tragedy with the following words: "These fights are complete nonsense. The winner of the fight would receive only 100 Brazilian Reais (approximately 300 TL), while the loser would get 50 Brazilian Reais (approximately 150 TL). Unfortunately, my brother's life was lost for such a small amount of money."
Sharing her memories of her brother, Lilia said, "We didn't want him to participate in the fight. We were all very worried. My mother had asked him not to participate, sensing that something bad could happen. We talked to him, but he wanted our support, and then we had no other option."
Joao Victor was working as a human resources manager at a hotel on the beach in addition to his fighting career and was living with his family.
This incident highlights the dangers of unlicensed fight organizations and the vital importance of safety measures.