Former amateur boxing star Genebert Basadre passes away at 37

Genebert Basadre won a SEA Games gold and an Asian Games bronze during the mid-2000's.
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--One of Philippine amateur boxing's underrated gems passed away in an untimely manner on Sunday.

The Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines confirmed the passing of former welterweight boxer Genebert Basadre at age 37.

Basadre was declared dead after a few days in coma.

According to the information ABAP got, Basadre collapsed on Monday while at his residence in his hometown of Cagayan De Oro.

He somehow got better the following day but fell into the coma right after.

“He was so young and was dedicated, soft-spoken and well-liked. The news is startling, to say the least,” ABAP secretary general Ed Picson said.

Basadre was among ABAP's prime fighters during the 2000's.

The welterweight won bronze medals in world ranking events in Europe from 2002-2003.

Basadre's big breakthrough came in 2005 when he won the gold in the Southeast Asian Games in Bacolod.

The following year, he captured a silver in the Tammer Cup in Tampere, Finland and a bronze in the Asian Games in Doha.

His last hurrah came in 2009 when he won a silver in the King's Cup in Thailand.

Despite what looks like a solid amateur resume that would have made him a bright pro boxing prospect, Basadre retired from the game in 2010 and focused fully with the Philippine Army, although he would still coach Cagayan De Oro-based pugilists at times.

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