Surveillance footage from a gas station on West Flagler Street in Miami captured a shocking scene: a naked man, covered in blood and holding a knife, wandering through the premises. This individual was reportedly the victim of a stabbing allegedly perpetrated by the Cuban boxer Frank Zaldívar Santiesteban, 29, known in the boxing community as "El Perro."
The altercation unfolded in the early hours of Sunday, April 5, beginning with a 911 call reporting a fight in an apartment. Shortly after, a gas station employee alerted authorities to the bloodied man, who had stumbled into the station after being stabbed in the chest.
Video footage released by CBS Miami on Tuesday reveals the harrowing experience the victim endured before emergency services arrived.
Details Emerge from the Scene
According to the victim's statement to police, Zaldívar Santiesteban appeared at his door wielding a knife, declaring, "God told me to come here and stab you." In the ensuing struggle, the victim managed to disarm the boxer and stabbed him multiple times in self-defense. The victim was rushed to Jackson Memorial Hospital with chest wounds and a punctured lung.
Hours after the incident, authorities found Zaldívar near the intersection of Northwest 42nd Avenue and 7th Street, covered in blood and partially wrapped in a sheet. Initially refusing to identify himself, his identity was later confirmed through fingerprint analysis while receiving treatment at Ryder Trauma Center.
Legal Proceedings and Background
On Tuesday, Zaldívar faced a judge via video conference from his hospital bed. He is charged with attempted murder with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault and remains in custody without bail.
During questioning, Zaldívar claimed the incident stemmed from a dispute with "his brother, whom he loves dearly," and expressed indifference toward his fate, stating that only God can judge him, as reported by the specialized site Boxing Social.
This arrest is not an isolated incident in his recent past. In July 2025, he was arrested for driving without a valid license, and in August of that year, he was apprehended in Key West for burglary, drug possession, and evidence tampering.
Boxing Career in the Spotlight
As a professional boxer, Zaldívar holds a record of five wins and two losses, with three knockouts. He represented Cuba in the World Series of Boxing with the Domadores de Cuba in 2017, and his last match was on February 1, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where he was defeated by technical knockout in the third round by 18-year-old prospect Curmel Moton during the David Benavidez vs. David Morrell Jr. event.
Neither Zaldívar's team nor his legal representatives have released any public statements.
Frequently Asked Questions about Frank Zaldívar's Legal Troubles
What charges is Frank Zaldívar facing?
Frank Zaldívar is facing charges of attempted murder with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault.
What is Frank Zaldívar's professional boxing record?
Frank Zaldívar has a professional record of five wins and two losses, including three knockouts.
Has Frank Zaldívar been arrested before?
Yes, Frank Zaldívar has been arrested previously for driving without a valid license and for burglary, drug possession, and evidence tampering.