As final farewells go, it was an unusual one.

A murdered Puerto Rican boxer was memorialised at his wake by being stood up in a makeshift boxing ring, which had been set up in a community centre of a San Juan public housing complex.

Christopher Rivera was clad in sunglasses, boxing gloves and a yellow-and-black boxing uniform, as relatives said their goodbyes.

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Police say the 23-year-old was shot dead on 26 January in the city of Santurce, but no one has been arrested.

Marin Funeral Home Vice President Elsie Rodriguez told the Associated Press on Friday that it took them several hours to create the scene. She said Rivera had told his relatives that if he died, he wanted his boxing career acknowledged at his funeral.

The funeral home is well-known for having previously created other thematic wakes, including one featuring a deceased man riding his motorcycle.

Rivera had a 5-15 record in the 130-pound weight class.

Shape Created with Sketch. In pictures: Murdered boxer propped up in ring at wake Show all 4 left Created with Sketch. right Created with Sketch. Shape Created with Sketch. In pictures: Murdered boxer propped up in ring at wake 1/4 Christopher Rivera in the ring for the final time Christopher Rivera was posed in a boxing ring at his memorial service AP 2/4 Family pose with Rivera Lidianette Carmona, behind right, the wife of the late boxer Christopher Rivera, stands with Rivera's mother Celines Amaro, left, and Rivera's son Julio Christopher, as they pose for photos taken by fans with his body AP 3/4 Christopher Rivera in the ring for the final time 23-year-old Christopher Rivera was clad in sunglasses, boxing gloves and a yellow-and-black boxing uniform, as relatives said their goodbyes AP 4/4 Fans pay tribute Fans gathered in a community centre of a San Juan public housing complex to pay tribute to the boxer AP 1/4 Christopher Rivera in the ring for the final time Christopher Rivera was posed in a boxing ring at his memorial service AP 2/4 Family pose with Rivera Lidianette Carmona, behind right, the wife of the late boxer Christopher Rivera, stands with Rivera's mother Celines Amaro, left, and Rivera's son Julio Christopher, as they pose for photos taken by fans with his body AP 3/4 Christopher Rivera in the ring for the final time 23-year-old Christopher Rivera was clad in sunglasses, boxing gloves and a yellow-and-black boxing uniform, as relatives said their goodbyes AP 4/4 Fans pay tribute Fans gathered in a community centre of a San Juan public housing complex to pay tribute to the boxer AP

Additional reporting by Associated Press