Fighter dead after internet sparring challenge

Investigators are looking into the death of a Chicago man who died after a two-day series of sparring matches with a Vancouver man he met in an online chat room.

Salvador Flamenco, 38, came to Vancouver on Dec. 15 after arranging the fights with the unidentified Vancouver resident through a website, www.allfighters.com, said Sgt. Scott Creager of the Vancouver Police Department. The pair decided to spar at the Vancouver man's home.

The two men fought that day and the next, but after the second day of boxing Flamenco started complaining of dizziness and nausea, Creager said. The symptoms became more severe and by the time paramedics arrived, Flamenco had begun losing consciousness.

"He rapidly deteriorated," Creager said.

Flamenco was taken to an area hospital, where he later died.After an autopsy, the Clark County Medical Examiner's Office said Flamenco died of blunt-force injuries and ruled the death a homicide, prompting an investigation by police.

Washington state law defines homicide as "the killing of a human being by the act, procurement, or omission of another."

Detectives have interviewed the Vancouver man involved, who is "being very cooperative," Creager said.