He refused to be knocked out, even in death.
The family of a Puerto Rican boxer — who was shot to death last week — honored his dying wish on Friday by propping up his corpse in the corner of a fake boxing ring to memorialize his career.
Like an ashen wax figure, Christopher Rivera’s pale, embalmed body was positioned in the corner of the ring decked out in boxing gloves, a hoodie, shades and sneakers.
Rivera’s mother, Celines Amaro, wife Lidianette Carmona and son Julio Christopher posed with the body that looked ready to pull out its next upper cut.
Mourners took cellphone shots of the corpse. Some pointed at him and imitated his figure.
The simulation of a boxing ring was set up at the community recreation center of the public housing project where he lived in San Juan. A single white candle was positioned in the center of the ring.
Elsie Rodriguez, a vice president of the funeral home that staged the wake, said his company has planned unusual vigils for others before, such as a man seated on his motorcycle.
Rivera died at age 23 with a 5-15 record in the 130-pound weight class.
