Boxing champ turns FX robber

A former Philippine boxing champ who defeated world champion Rolando Navarette in 1991 was arrested by police yesterday shortly after robbing a student inside an FX taxi in Quezon City.

Police said William Magahin, 34, of Innocent Lodge, Sta. Cruz, Manila, was arrested by responding Baler station police officers just barely 15 minutes after divesting 23-year-old student Tadeus Vergara of his Sony Ericsson P-800 cell phone worth about P35,000, a Fossil wristwatch worth P6,000 and his Equitable Bank ATM card.

Magahin’s cohort identified as Alex Aquino, 34, of 8 West Point street, Cubao, was also arrested by police.

Police said Vergara was aboard a Project 6-bound FX taxi with three other passengers when Magahin and Aquino announced the holdup at about 11:30 a.m. just as the taxi was approaching the corner of West Avenue and Examiner street.

After divesting Vergara of his valuables, the two suspects then casually alighted from the vehicle and escaped on foot.

Vergara then sought the assistance of the Baler police station which immediately dispatched a team.

Magahin and Aquino were caught as they were walking along West Avenue.

Seized from Magahin and Aquino were a fan knife and a kitchen knife as well as Vergara’s valuables. They are now detained at the police station.

During the height of his career, Magahin, a southpaw, fought a total of 25 fights, winning 17 of them. Of his winning fights, 11 were knockouts. His last fight was in Jan. 20, 1996 against American boxer Jaime Lerma for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) welterweight title at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Magahin lost by knockout.

In July 31, 1991, he fought and defeated Navarette for the Philippine lightweight title, ending the career of the former world champion.