Lightweight boxer Martin Sanchez has passed away following a bout at the Orleans Casino in Las Vegas.  According to the brief Associated Press description of the bout, Rustam Nugaev halted Sanchez with a right to the head that knocked him through the ropes at 2:09 of the ninth round. Boxingtalk has been informed that Sanchez apparently was hit on the back of the head in one of the middle rounds and briefly kneeled away from the ring before being checked out and told to continue fighting. Sanchez apparently left the ring under his own power and collapsed  after being off balance in the dressing room. Martin Sanchez, from Mexico City, once fought for his nation's featherweight title. Just 26 years old, he was pronounced dead at Valley Hospital this morning.  Boxingtalk sends its sympathy to Sanchez's family. -Scott Shaffer