East is alive and kicking

LAS VEGAS – Former World Boxing Association (WBA) junior welterweight champion Morris East is living the good life here and making a name for himself as a fight trainer at the world famous Johnny Tocco gym.

East, 32, was born in Olongapo City to Rosario Santillan and an American father whom he never met until a reunion was arranged by his manager Hermie Rivera in a desolate Oakland motel in 1992.

The reunion was covered by CNN and it brought tears to the eyes of millions of viewers as East was introduced to his father John Sr., dying of prostate cancer. He died a few months later.

While serving in the US Navy, John East Sr. was assigned at the Subic Naval Base. He lived with Santillan who bore two sons, John Jr. and East. The American abandoned his family in 1973 when he was relocated to the US. East was only six months old when his father left.

In 1994, East was sworn in as a US citizen. The US government granted his application for citizenship on the basis of his father’s 17-year service in the Navy.

East turned pro in 1989 and three years later, stopped Akinobu Hiranaka to wrest the WBA 140-pound title in Tokyo. A single left hook to the jaw deposited the Japanese on the canvas in the 11th round. Hiranaka managed to beat the count but Panamanian referee Carlos Berrocal called it a night after the Japanese could barely stand straight on rubbery legs. East was behind in the three judges scorecards when the knockout came.

In his first defense, East lost the crown to Juan Martin Coggi in Argentina. He went on to win four of his next five outings then quit the ring with a 20-4 record, including 12 KOs.

There were at least three attempts to make a comeback but East said his opponents repeatedly backed out at the last minute. In the end, East decided to just stick to training fighters in the gym.

East moved to San Diego in 1996 and lived with his half-sister Christy Johnson. Another half-sister Cherisse Jackson is in Texas and a half-brother Ernest, in Oakland.

It was in San Diego where East met Marilou Calsitas, a Filipina now retired from the US Navy.

"At first, I didn’t believe he was a former champion," said Marilou. "His best friend’s mother and my aunt are best friends. So that connection was how we met. A few weeks after we met, we started dating and we’ve been together now for six years."

From San Diego, East and Marilou moved to Las Vegas where they now share a two-bedroom apartment about a mile away from Tocco’s gym. East rides a bike to the gym every day. He trains a group of five pros from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 22 amateurs from 4 to 8 p.m.

"I’m surviving," said East. "I make about $3,000 a month as a trainer. One of my pros is unbeaten and will be a world champion. I send $150 a month to each of my five children in the Philippines. I haven’t been home in a long time but I hope to visit soon."

East’s five children were born out of relationships with three different women. His oldest is 13, a boy, and his youngest Morris Jr. is seven. A daughter Dianara, 12, lives with her mother in Parola, Calatagan, Batangas. The others live with their mothers in Cavite.

East said he’s not too old to make a comeback but at 240 pounds, he’s definitely not fighting again.

East was at the Thomas and Mack Center to cheer for Manny Pacquiao in his fight against Erik Morales last Saturday.

"I don’t bet so I didn’t make any money," said East. "Manny won because he was in better condition. Malinis din ang utak niya because no more distractions. Manny pressured Morales from the start and that’s also why he won because Morales couldn’t hit him from a distance. Morales probably won’t retire but he’ll never fight at 130 again, maybe 135."

East said Pacquiao is ready to take on all comers, even world lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo.

"No one can beat Manny in the lighter weight divisions today," said East. "What I’d like to see is Manny challenging for the lightweight title and beating Castillo. That would be a fantastic fight because Castillo is the type who never steps back."