Edwin Aguilar Memorial Fund
Edwin Aguilar, lifelong martial artist, fighter, teacher, and father, died suddenly in the early morning of Thursday November 24 in Puebla, Mexico, following a stroke, at the age of 44. This GoFundMe is to raise money for immediate costs related to his funeral expenses and the care of his young daughter, who is left orphaned.
Edwin "El Tigre" Aguilar was a champion in multiple disciplines including Kickboxing, Muay Thai, and MMA, a sport which he pioneered in his native Mexico. He had a long and storied career in which he remained active until just before his death. He most recently fought and won twice in June, the first fight in Muay Thai on short notice and the second just a week later in MMA. With more than 100 fights to his name, Edwin had an "anytime, anywhere" attitude toward fighting, and a ferocity which earned him his ring name, El Tigre, "The Tiger."
More than just a fighter, Edwin also embodied the spirit of a true martial artist: kind, polite, soft-spoken, humble, and giving. He was a now rare example of everything good martial arts had to give, which he in turn gave to others through his actions, presence, and example. He owned and taught at his own gym, Tiger's Team, in Tijuana, while still regularly traveling across the border to San Diego to train with his own coach of many years, Coach Melchor Menor.
It would be impossible to repay Edwin for all he has given to the martial arts community over the years. However, as a show of our collective gratitude, Coach Melchor Menor and the Art of 8 family would like to do what we can to offset costs related to his funeral expenses and the immediate care of his young daughter, who he raised as a single father and is now left parentless.
This campaign will run through Sunday, December 4, at which point the funds raised will be transferred to a trusted party in Mexico who will see to their appropriate use. We ask that you bear in mind that even a small contribution will go a long way when the US dollars raised by this fundraiser are converted to Mexican pesos. Please, give what you can.
—In loving memory of Edwin “El Tigre” Aguilar