February 9, 2002
HOUSTON (AP) -- Thomas Trevino, an amateur boxer who sued his
manager after suffering brain damage in his first fight, died of an apparent
overdose of prescription drugs. He was 27.
Trevino died at East Houston Regional Medical Center on Thursday, said his
attorney, Peter Segelke. Trevino had been in a coma since Sunday from an
apparent overdose of prescription medication, Segelke said.
``It's a very sad case. He had been beset by seizures and had been
despondent,'' Segelke said.
Trevino was suing his manager, Gilbert Bustamante, the operator of Fisticuffs
Boxing gym in Houston.
Trevino, who worked as an assistant manager of a Chili's restaurant, claimed
Bustamante pushed him into his first fight on April 27. Segelke said Trevino
had done nothing more than skip rope, work with light and heavy bags and
spar two rounds before the fight.
Despite wearing head protection, Trevino took several hard blows to the head
in the match. He was taken to Memorial Hermann Hospital after the fight, and
doctors performed surgery to reduce brain swelling.
Segelke said a large piece of Trevino's brain was removed during the
operation, and he was left with an inch-deep indentation on the right side of his
head.
Trevino later experienced short-term memory loss, uncontrolled temper and
difficulty keeping to a schedule, Segelke said. He filed suit in August.
Trevino wrote to his wife about being depressed, but the overdose might have
been accidental.
Segelke said Trevino told Bustamante the night of the fight that he was not
ready. Segelke said he will pursue the lawsuit on behalf of Trevino's wife and
their three children.
Bustamante has said he was devastated by Trevino's injury, and that he told
Trevino he could pull out of the fight if he had any reservations. Bustamante
said several witnesses overheard the conversation.