I LOST A ?SON? (CONCLUSION)
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 12 Feb 2008
MAASIN CITY, SOUTHERN LEYTE - I always regard our boxers as my adopted sons and Alex Aroy has been a pet since he brought honor and glory not only to the city but as well as to the country. Whenever he was in Maasin, he never failed to visit me in the office to pay a courtesy call. If ever they have problems, his mother would visit me at home or at the office.
One of the many controversies that hounded Alex was when he fought for the WBC Youth championship and lost to Thai Oleydong Sithsamerchai in Petchaboon, Thailand and was not paid his purse by the Filipino promoter. His mother cried and aired his misery to me when the incident happened. It was just one of the many tempests that Alex encountered in his short pro career.
I went to Manila just right after his shocking death and had a meeting with Games and Amusements Board Chairman Eric Buhain and GAB Boxing Division Chief Dr. Nasser Cruz. The amiable doctor explained that probable causes of Aroy?s death could be a failure in pancreas, spleen, liver or bladder. He added only an autopsy can verify officially the real cause of the ring death.
While I told him that Alex had a fever prior to the fight, he said that several boxers have experienced fever before their scheduled encounter and still won. No less than Manny Pacquiao, according to Dr. Cruz, suffered from a fever but still was able to fight after receiving medical treatment. However, Buhain and Cruz assured me that the investigation is already in the works through GAB Visayas in Cebu City.
Buhain said that no less than WBC international secretary Mauro Betti of Italy handed the WBC condolences thru email. According to them Alex was a great loss considering that he is a world rated boxer. Prior to the tragedy, Aroy was rated No. 31 by the WBC in the entire world in the light-flyweight division.
Branco Milenkovic, the South African promoter was also saddened of the untimely death. He was working a future WBC international fight for Alex which could no longer materialize. No less than world boxing icon Many Pacquiao extended his condolences and will donate assistance thru Wakee Salud. Antonio L. Aldeguer also extended his condolences and assistance too.
In Alex?s wake, I gathered all boxers, pro and amateur, who were present. Not one of them decided to stop boxing because of the ring tragedy and Aroy?s death challenged them more to give honor to Maasin City where Alex had left. Alex, their inspiration, will be buried on Tuesday, February 12, at the Maasin Cemetery. But the passion among my other ?sons? to fight and redeem Alex?s death will not be buried.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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