REMEMBRANCE AND RESOLUTION: A BOXING TRAGEDY INSPIRES!
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Sep 2012
The untimely and unexpected demise of young Karlo Maquinto in the ring last February affected a lot of people. The twenty one year old boxer?s tragic incident in the ring has brought sadness to his family, his friends, his team mates at the Shape Up Boxing Gym in Baguio City and the sport in general. But one man that took the incident harder than anybody did was Maquinto?s manager and mentor, Anson Tiu Co.
Tiu Co whose family owns the Coyeesan Hotel and the famous Shape Up Boxing Gym in Baguio City was heartbroken to say the least after seeing his prized boxer die from injuries suffered that fateful night of January 28, 2012 in the ring in Caloocan City. Maquinto?s death was a traumatic experience for the young boxing manager who at that time thought of giving up his boxing program because of it.
But Tiu Co did not give up. His two other fighters, both team mates of Maquinto decided to stick it out with him even when he gave them the go signal to look for a different manager that will help their careers.
?With what happened to Karlo early this year, everyone wasn't blaming me if I just called it quits. But the two colleagues of Karlo were still very determined to stick it out. Even with my endorsement to be handled by much able managers/promoters, these two wanted to just wait it out until I changed my mind.?
But Tiu Co did not change his mind. His initial thoughts of just giving it all up changed when a thought of putting up an event aimed at remembering his fallen boxer came to him.
?Then it occurred to me as weeks passed that I got to do a tribute to a fallen warrior when in the ring and a gentle soul when out of the ring. I started talking to a lot of people trying to connect the dots on how to make an event and who's to be the main event,? expressed Tiu Co.
That resulted in Tiu Co?s first venture in boxing promotions. Tonight, his newly formed Shape Up Promotions will stage their initial offering dubbed as Kamao: Kidlat at Maso at The Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay City.
The new promoter encountered a series of difficulties at first when conceptualizing the event but was happy that his final product came up nicely in the end.
?Then everything fell into place. I was able to form my team both in Marketing and Production and I was able to fill a decent card. I said to myself that this is God?s way of guiding me and that I should continue,? Tiu Co said.
?A month before the event, after wracking my brains to come up with a title, my marketing team came up with KaMao. Now all I need is something more for it to be a requiem to Karlo. After a week it just came to me, Kidlat ( Karlo ) at Maso ( Maquinto ). Speed and strength!? explained Tiu Co of how the title for his first event came about.
The young promoter admitted that the memory of his young boxer will always be in the hearts and minds of those that had the opportunity to know him. This event tonight is a testimony to his kind soul and a remembrance of his memory. It will also serve as a resolution for Tiu Co, his staff and team who for months have been burdened by this sad experience.
?I was inspired to do this promotion because of Karlo and I want to contribute in elevating Philippine boxing in my own little way,? mentioned Tiu Co.
And somewhere in heaven, Karlo Maquinto will be an eager spectator as he watches the events tonight in Pasay City from up there. And I am sure that he will be smiling.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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