Ex-boxer begs for aid

Former superbantamweight contender Vic Galme is fighting for his life at the Amang Rodriguez Hospital in Marikina after suffering a heart attack last weekend. He’s in the charity ward with his wife Gina and three daughters taking turns to watch over the stricken 44-year-old ring veteran.

Aside from recovering from a debilitating heart attack, Galme is down with dengue. That’s the news from former boxer and now licensed referee Sammy Bernabe who’s passing the word around hoping for some generous people to come to his assistance. Bernabe, employed in the security force at Xavier School, wants everyone to know that Galme is in dire straits and could use a little help from friends.

Galme, a Negros Occidental native, retired from boxing in 2001, ending his journeyman career with a fifth round knockout loss to Buddy Salvador. A long-time sidekick of international matchmaker Jun Sarreal, Galme was fiercely loyal to his friends and benefactors. After his retirement, he would knock on the doors of friends, offering his services as a masseur. One of Galme’s occasional customers was Manny Pacquiao who always gave a generous tip for his massage.

“He’s in bad shape,” said Sarreal. “I visited Vic in the hospital and he doesn’t look good. He gave me a note to send to Manny asking if he could take care of his family. It’s like a dying wish. He’s appealing for help from his friends, particularly Manny whom I know remembers Vic well. I ‘m sure Manny won’t turn him down.”

Galme had a ready smile for everyone and was a familiar figure in smokers around town, especially if Sarreal’s fighters were involved. He would take a bullet for his friends – that’s how he showed his loyalty. Any enemy of his friends was his enemy, too.

As a fighter, Galme was not a technician. He was a brawler who never took a step back. Because of his devil-may-care style, he was a crowd pleaser and enjoyed a fan following in Japan where he logged six fights. Galme also fought thrice in Thailand and once in Korea, earning precious dollars for his family. His most impressive wins were a second round knockout over Bernard Alesna in 1994 and a decision over Ranny Andagan the next year. He also beat Primo Erasan. Galme wound up his career with a record of 25-23-1, with 13 KOs. He turned pro in 1987 and campaigned for 14 years.

Galme never hit the jackpot in the fight game. But he won a lot of friends because of his easy-going way. Now, in the toughest fight of his life, Galme is hoping his friends come to his rescue and bail him out of his biggest challenge.

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WBC No. 4 minimumweight Denver Cuello of Iloilo is taking a big risk in facing hometowner Patricio Camacho at Quintara Roo, Mexico, on Sept. 24 but his manager Aljoe Jaro told The Star yesterday it’s a calculated gamble that could lead to a world title shot.

“It’s now or never for Denver and we’re working to get a world title shot this year,” said Jaro. “Denver is over-ripe as a challenger and he’s itching to fight for the world crown, no matter who’s the champion and regardless of what organization is the sanctioning body. He deserves a shot and I think tying up with Canelo Promotions of Mexico is the best way to get it.”

Jaro said Canelo is promoting the Cuello-Camacho bout. Camacho has a 12-5-1 record, with nine KOs, compared to Cuello’s 27-4-6, with 17 KOs. Cuello, a hard-hitting southpaw, is unbeaten in his last six outings, all inside the distance, and hasn’t lost since the controversial third round disqualification to Juan Hernandez in Mexico City in May last year. Among his recent knockout victims were Omar Soto and two-time world minimumweight champion Muhammad Rachman.

“If Denver beats Camacho by an early knockout or if he wins without a problem, Canelo plans to promote another fight on Oct. 25, also in Mexico, this time against Ganigan Lopez,” said Jaro. If the Japanese champion (Kazuto) Ioka gives up the WBC championship, Denver and Lopez will fight for the vacant title. If not, they’ll fight for the WBC silver belt.”

Jaro said Canelo has big plans for Cuello. “Canelo thinks Denver is the next superstar in the small weight divisions,” said Jaro. “They want Denver to stay in Mexico after fighting Camacho and train for Lopez at their expense. We won’t go home anymore until after the Oct. 25 fight. Canelo will pay for all the expenses. That’s how much faith they have in Denver. Canelo has talked about the plans for Denver with WBC president Jose Sulaiman and his son Mauricio, the WBC executive secretary. The Sulaimans are happy that we’ve tied up with Canelo. If Ioka doesn’t vacate the throne this year, Denver will fight for the WBC silver title first then Canelo will arrange for the world championship fight right after.”