I LOST A ?SON? (PART II)
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 11 Feb 2008
MAASIN CITY, SOUTHERN LEYTE ? I received an early cellular phone call on February 5, 2008 from Rex ?Wakee? Salud matchmaker Willie Flores breaking the news about the death of our local boxing hero Alex Aroy. Willie was in tears as he narrated Alex?s heartbreaking situation, how he had the difficulty in urinating before collapsing in his dressing room after the fight. I was tasked to inform his parents about the dreadful incident.
But just minutes later, Alex?s parents came to our house to air their grief on the shocking death of their son. They said they were informed by Alex?s co-boxer Darius Dag-uman. I ordered a vehicle to transport both father and mother from Maasin to Villaba, which is more than three hours drive. The boxer?s remains were already laid at the Puso Funeral Home in Palompon, Leyte, more than forty kilometers from Villaba.
The promoters and GAB personnel proposed an autopsy on Alex?s remains, but upon learning that it will be brought to Tacloban, more than four hours drive from Palompon, because the town lacks the necessary facilities, the parents decided to waive the planned autopsy and bring the body back immediately home.
According to his parents, we cannot bring Alex back to life even if an autopsy has to be conducted. His father Nemesio ?Benny? Aroy was a former boxer and it was he who was his son?s first trainer. He had high hopes that his son someday would become an international or even a world champion. It was not an impossible dream because of his performance against South African Zukisani Kwayiba. Aroy became an instant celebrity in South Africa when he almost defeated Kwayiba if not for the hometown decision.
I accompanied Alex and company to Cebu City in 1999 when they competed in the National Youth Amateur Boxing Championships. His companions at that time were Darius Dag-uman, Jegner Ayaay, Mario Caube, and Adonis Aguelo, all of Maasin City. Aroy has since joined his first trainer Celestino ?Tiny? Espina in the second life. Dag-uman is now with the Omega Boxing Club, Ayaay is with the famed ALA Gym. Aguelo is now training under Brix Flores, while Caube did not turn pro and has retired from boxing.
During the fight, Alex won his initial bout but lost in the next fight. He had weight problems and we have to cover him with a large plastic to perspire in order to reduce. It took a tool on his second fight. Weigh-in in the amateurs is done daily before each fight. But like in his professional career, Alex was never been knocked down in his amateur days.
It was Darius who introduced Alex to trainer Anol Jaca. I took the initiative of promoting five of his fights in Maasin City to let our local fans witness how the rising hometown boxer swipe opponents with his stinging punches. The Maasin City Sports Council tied up with Salud to sponsor his fights in Maasin and Alex did not fail his ?kababayans.?
Top photo: Alex Aroy winning the Philippine Boxing Federation light-flyweight title in Maasin City.
To be continued.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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