Professional boxer, 37, found dead in hotel room hours after fight as police launch official investigation

Mexican boxer Pedro Antonio 'Tony' Rodriguez was found dead in his hotel room just hours after his latest fight.

On Saturday night, Taylor faced 21-year-old American fighter Phillip Vella in a super-bantamweight bout at the American Royal Palace in Phoenix, Arizona.

The fight, billed as the Brawl in the Barrio, was commissioned by the Arizona Boxing and MMA Commission and organised by Del Sol Boxing Promotions.

A hard-fought six round clash saw Vella named the victor via unanimous decision, and the two men left the ring to as they returned to their hotel rooms ahead of a dinner with other fighters on the card.

However, a tragic report has confirmed that Rodriguez failed to attend the evening and was later found dead in his hotel room.

According to Spanish outlet Marca, staff at the hotel were concerned after Rodriguez didn't arrive in the lobby on Sunday morning to check out and take his arranged transport to the airport.

The staff later unlocked the door to the room that he had booked and found the 37-year-old unresponsive, a report from TalkSport added.

It is not yet known exactly what caused Rodriguez to tragically lose his life, with authorities said to be carrying out investigations, with the possibility that his fight against Vella may have played a part not yet ruled out.

Speaking after the news was reported, Karla Valenzuela, Rodriguez’s wife, confirmed that her last conversation with her husband said her last interaction with her husband came straight after his fight.

“He called me when his fight ended. Even when the show was over and he left for the hotel, he talked to me, he made a video call.

"He told me that he was going out to buy dinner and that he was coming back because at 3:30am in the morning they were going to pick them up to take them to the airport, that was the only thing I talked to him about.”

She added that, while she didn't know what had ‘really happened’, she believed that some kind of ‘blow’ from the fight may have caused her husband's death.

"I am also confused. We have to wait until tomorrow to see what the report says," Valenzuela added.

Del Sol Boxing Promotions also paid tribute to Vella, writing on social media: “The Del Sol Boxing family is heartbroken at the death of Pedro Antonio Rodriguez.

"Our hearts and thoughts are with his loved ones. Out of respect for his family, please join us in waiting for the local authorities to complete their work and investigation."

Meanwhile his opponent Vella has also took to social media to send his respects to the Rodriguez's family, writing: “Truly heartbroken to find out this news.

"Thankful to have shared the ring with Pedro for six rounds. My thoughts and prayers are with his family. Rest easy, champion."