Maasin boxer dies after fight

Alex Aroy, a 22-year-old fighter from Maasin, Leyte, just joined the long list of Filipino boxers who have died in the line of duty.

Aroy, a light-flyweight, fought Arnel Tadena at the Villaba Gym in Villaba, Leyte, Monday evening, and after 10 hard rounds lost via unanimous decision.

It was Aroy’s third loss in four fights, and sixth against 12 victories (six KOs) and two draws. But it proved to be his last as he died hours after the non-title fight.

His handler, Wakee Salud of Cebu, said Aroy fought a good fight and was never really hurt in the ring. It was after the fight, shortly before midnight, that he collapsed.

“But he regained consciousness then complained about difficulty urinating. Then he started vomitting and once again collapsed. He was brought to the hospital,” said Salud.

The inadequate facilities at the hospital in Villaba, a fourth-class municipality, forced Aroy’s companions to bring him to the town of Palompon, which was 45 minutes away.

“But there was no ambulance so they boarded a multi-cab. In the hospital, Alex was declared dead on arrival,” said Salud who immediately extended help to Aroy’s family.

Earlier in the day, Aroy, according to one of his friends, even went to church, which is not a common practice for the bachelor from Maasin, Leyte.

Based on previous reports, there are 34 ring deaths involving Filipino fights before Aroy’s. Last March 30, former WBC Youth flyweight champ Lito Sisnorio died shortly after being knocked out in Thailand.

Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain then ordered a crackdown on individuals preying on and exploiting boxers who are willing to fight overseas without any GAB clearance.

And before Sisnorio’s case, the last ring last death came in January of 2004 when Ryan Padrones died after losing to Jeffrey Etang in an amateur tournament in Iloilo City.

Aroy, according to boxrec.com, is 5-foot-3 and fighting orthodox. He has fought thrice overseas, beating Donny Suratin in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2003, and Oleydong Sithsamerchai in Petchaboon, Thailand in2005 before losing to Zukisani Kwayiba in Temba, South Africa last September.