Mexican boxing head coach Francisco Bonilla Vázquez has died aged 61 ©Twitter

The International Boxing Association (AIBA) is among those who have paid tribute to Mexican boxing team head coach Francisco Bonilla Vázquez.

Bonilla Vázquez, who spent 32 years as a boxing coach, died on September 24 aged 61. 

Mexican sports newspaper Récord said he died following coronavirus complications.

He was due to travel with the Mexican boxing team to his sixth Olympics in Tokyo, and would have done so had the Games not been postponed to 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Bonilla Vázquez helped Mexico earn bronze medals in boxing at the Sydney 2000 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games. 

Cristian Bejarano took bronze in the men's lightweight division in the Australian city, while Misael Rodríguez finished joint third in the middleweight contest in Brazil. 

Misael Rodríguez, who was coached by Francisco Bonilla Vázquez, earned Olympic bronze at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images
Misael Rodríguez, who was coached by Francisco Bonilla Vázquez, earned Olympic bronze at Rio 2016 ©Getty Images

During his career, Bonilla Vázquez also coached professional boxers such as Andy Ruiz Jr, Mexico's first heavyweight world champion. 

"Mr Vazquez will be remembered for his great contribution to the boxing development on national and international levels as highly qualified coach; his legacy will live in our hearts forever," said AIBA Interim President Mohamed Moustahsane. 

"On behalf of myself and the entire AIBA Family, I would like to express my deepest condolences."

The Mexican Olympic Committee also paid tribute through a post on social media.

"The Mexican Olympic family mourns the death of Francisco Bonilla, who for many years was the national boxing coach," it said.