Manny's tormentor seeks comeback

MANILA, Philippines - Out on bail to avoid imprisonment for murder, the only Filipino fighter to knock out Manny Pacquiao is reapplying for a Games and Amusements Board (GAB) license to resume his pro boxing career at the age of 38 after a 13-year layoff.

Rustico Torrecampo is the first fighter ever to beat Pacquiao, scoring a third round knockout in Mandaluyong in 1996. Pacquiao wore eight-ounce gloves, compared to Torrecampo’s six-ouncers, as a penalty for checking in overweight.

Torrecampo failed to capitalize on the victory. A month after defeating Pacquiao, he fractured his left hand en route to outpointing Ricky Sales. Instead of seeking professional medical help, Torrecampo went to a “manghihilot” and rested a month. Then, he was forced to fight a series of opponents under threat of suspension by his manager despite a painful wrist. The injury was such a handicap that he won only once in his last six bouts before retiring in 1997 with a 14-8-5 record, including seven KOs. He ended his ring career with no savings. His biggest paycheck was P30,000 for a fight in Japan and he was paid only P6,500 for the Pacquiao assignment.

Striving to make a living outside of boxing, Torrecampo worked as a furnace loader at the Cathay Metal factory in Novaliches then four years ago, set up a roving sidewalk kitchen, selling “mami,” fried rice and beef “asado” from a bicycle cart in Tondo. One early morning in September 2007, a Leonel Waste Management garbage truck sideswiped his cart, spilling the food on the street. Torrecampo told truck driver Ernesto Ongkit to pay for the damage but was ignored. Ongkit drove off and Torrecampo chased the truck on foot. Torrecampo caught up with Ongkit and stabbed him twice with a kitchen knife. Ongkit was declared dead on arrival at the Tondo Medical Center.

Torrecampo went into hiding for three months in Nueva Ecija and resurfaced when a warrant of arrest was issued. He posted bail of P14,000 and is in protracted negotiations to settle with the victim’s first wife Erlinda. At least 10 hearings on the case have been conducted in a Manila court.

“They’re asking for P100,000,” said Torrecampo’s wife Cecille Camposano in Pilipino. “We don’t have that kind of money. They insist that Manny once gave us P100,000 but that’s not true. We’ve tried to see Manny. He’s just too busy and we don’t want to disturb him. We’re back selling food on Velasquez street in Tondo.”

For their sidewalk business, the Torrecampos barely earn enough to feed their children – Russell Carl, 11, Carissa Rose, 10 and Rich Cymoun, 6. Three months ago, Torrecampo – who finished only up to first year of high school – decided to stage a boxing comeback in desperation. He hooked up with Lito Navarro, owner of the Slim and Shape Fitness Center in Caloocan, to resurrect his career.

“If George Foreman can win the heavyweight title at 45, I think Torrecampo can still be competitive at 38,” said Navarro who manages the fighter. “He’s very diligent in training, working out four to five hours every day. He has reapplied for a GAB license. He considered joining mixed martial arts but boxing is what he does best.”

To evaluate his condition, the GAB advised Torrecampo to spar four rounds with newcomer Janno Bedrijo on promoter Elmer Anuran’s card in Muntinlupa last Saturday. Torrecampo, wearing a headgear, showed flashes of brilliance and his vaunted power but lacked wind. Still, if there were judges to make a decision, he would’ve won by decision.

“Now that we’ve seen him spar, we’ll discuss Torrecampo’s condition,” said a GAB source. “If ever, we’ll start him off at four rounds and track his progress. The problem is he will be too experienced for youngsters.”

Torrecampo said he has brought down his weight from 130 to 118 pounds in three months of hard training. “Kulang pa sa stamina,” he said after the sparring session. “It’s something I have to build up. I want to fight again. I want to prove I can still be a champion. I’m praying for another chance.”

Torrecampo’s wife said she’d rather that he stays away from boxing. “No wife wants to see her husband get hit in the ring,” she said. “If you ask me, I don’t want him to make a comeback. But it’s his decision and I’ll support whatever he decides.” 

Navarro said if Torrecampo has the drive to fight again, he should be given the opportunity to test how far he can go. “He’s excited to fight,” said Navarro. “We don’t know if it will be for long. I’m prepared to support his comeback.”

Torrecampo will never fight Pacquiao in a rematch – they’re now worlds apart in terms of fighting weight. Pacquiao has metamorphosed into a welterweight – in fact, he’s fighting Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC superwelterweight crown at a catchweight limit of 151 pounds on Nov. 13 – while Torrecampo is a 118-pound bantamweight.

Although he’s just a footnote in Pacquiao’s history, Torrecampo will forever be remembered as the first fighter to beat the Filipino icon and shares the distinction of defeating the Congressman from Sarangani with only two others, Medgeon 3-K Battery and Erik Morales.

 Torrecampo, whose father Escolastico was gunned down by New People’s Army rebels in Davao City in 1985, has fallen into hard times. He may be down but he’s not out. All he’s praying for is one last chance to find that elusive pot of gold at the end of the boxing rainbow.