A New Zealander has died in a Tahiti hospital a short time after being knocked out in his first professional boxing fight.
Peruvian-born Willman Rodriguez Gomez, an experienced kickboxer, was knocked out in the early stages of the bout at a boxing event Saturday night.
The 29-year-old went to Papeete hospital a short time afterwards, and died about an hour after being admitted.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of the death of a New Zealand citizen in Tahiti.
The New Zealand Consulate-General in New Caledonia is liaising with the honorary consul in Tahiti to help the family get information on repatriation arrangements.
