Former Mexican Boxer and Three-Term Deputy Jorge Kahwagi Dies at 58

Jorge Kahwagi Macari, an undefeated professional boxer who later served three terms as a federal deputy and led the Nueva Alianza party, died in Mexico City on Wednesday at age 58. A journalist reported that Kahwagi died from a cerebral hemorrhage, though the family has not yet officially confirmed the cause of death. Kahwagi's boxing career spanned from 2001 to 2005, during which he won all fights by knockout and captured the Mexican cruiserweight title in 2002.

Kahwagi's professional boxing career, though brief, established him as a dominant force in Mexico's cruiserweight division. Between 2001 and 2005, he compiled an impressive undefeated record across eleven bouts, each ending in knockout victory. His capture of the Mexican cruiserweight title in 2002 represented the peak of his ring achievements, though his career was subsequently marred by longstanding allegations of fight-fixing that complicated his legacy.

His transition from boxing to politics proved equally unconventional. Beginning his first congressional term in 2001, Kahwagi served three separate stints in Mexico's Chamber of Deputies, primarily representing the PVEM party. A notable controversy erupted in 2004 when he briefly departed his legislative duties to compete on the reality television program Big Brother VIP while continuing to receive his congressional salary—a decision that drew public criticism at the time.