Mario Melo - RIP
Posted: 06 Nov 2018, 10:11
Former world title challenger Mario Melo died on Sunday when he choked to death during a croissant-eating contest in his native Argentina. Melo was trying to eat the most croissants in a minute when one lodged in his throat and blocked his windpipe. Onlookers tried desperately to save the 56-year-old but there wasn't even a glass of water to hand. The whole dreadful scene unfolded in front of many small children and was even televised.
Melo took on Michael Moorer for the WBO light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City in 1990 and lasted less than a round after the Kronk star dug in a brutal body shot to record his eighth successful defence. Moorer was unbeatable at the time so Melo shouldn't really be judged on that result. Like most top Argentine fighters, he jockeyed for the number one position in his homeland with two or three others as he battled Sergio Merani and Nestor Giovanni three times apiece, before stopping both rivals in their respective third meetings. (Merani and Giovanni also got world title shots.)
Mario was 18-4 (16) going into the Moorer clash so he could clearly dig a bit but the American proved different class on a show topped by Tommy Hearns against Michael Olijade. Melo moved up to heavyweight afterwards where he was clearly too small and lost four of seven sporadic contests there, eventually retiring in 1998 with a record of 21-9 (17).
The man was a bubbly character with a touch of flair and the food contest summed up his personality but it all went unbelievably wrong.
Melo took on Michael Moorer for the WBO light-heavyweight title in Atlantic City in 1990 and lasted less than a round after the Kronk star dug in a brutal body shot to record his eighth successful defence. Moorer was unbeatable at the time so Melo shouldn't really be judged on that result. Like most top Argentine fighters, he jockeyed for the number one position in his homeland with two or three others as he battled Sergio Merani and Nestor Giovanni three times apiece, before stopping both rivals in their respective third meetings. (Merani and Giovanni also got world title shots.)
Mario was 18-4 (16) going into the Moorer clash so he could clearly dig a bit but the American proved different class on a show topped by Tommy Hearns against Michael Olijade. Melo moved up to heavyweight afterwards where he was clearly too small and lost four of seven sporadic contests there, eventually retiring in 1998 with a record of 21-9 (17).
The man was a bubbly character with a touch of flair and the food contest summed up his personality but it all went unbelievably wrong.