Tuñacao raring to be world champ again

CEBU ,Philippines  – Comebacking Cebuano boxer Malcolm Tuñacao is itching to be world champion again and hopefully join the elite list of Filipino fighters who won at least two world titles in different weight divisions.

Since losing his WBC flyweight crown 11 years ago, Tuñacao said he believes he can be a champion again.

 “I still have the fire in me to be a world champion again that’s why I persevere. I endure all the sacrifices I freely make, like being away from my family, just to achieve that goal hopefully within the year,” said Tuñacao, now based in Kobe, Japan.

In his only 11th fight – and first abroad – Tuñacao snared the WBC crown with a stunning seventh round TKO of Thai Medgeon Singsurat on May 19, 2000 at the Srimnang Outdoor Arena in Thailand.

Weight problems, however, took their toll on Tuñacao. He reigned for only 10 months as he was dethroned by Thai Pongsaklek Wonjongkam via first round knockout on March 2, 2001, also in Thailand, and had a hard time bouncing back. 

Compounding his woes was a string of personal troubles that greatly affected his career, leaving him with only two fights in two years (2003 -2004).

But that did not dampen Tuñacao’s spirit as he vowed to vie for a world crown someday.

“I was so sad when I lost my title, much more when I went through personal problems that almost shattered my career,” said Tunacao. “But I did not lose hope. I keep on dreaming big for I know that I’ll be able to accomplish it. It’s just a matter of time.”

In Japan, Tuñacao’s daily routine evolves at the Shinsei gym owned by his Japanese manager/trainer Yamashita Masato. 

 “I consider it as my second home. I’m also fortunate enough to have a manager like him (Yamashita). He takes good care of me,” said Tuñacao, on a four-year, nine-fight winning streak since losing by technical decision to compatriot Rolly Matsuhita in his first attempt at the OPBF bantamweight title on January 13, 2007 in Tokyo.

The 34-year-old Tuñacao fought his way back to eventually wrest the OPBF belt with a split decision victory over Korean Seung-Suk Chae on Feb. 6, 2010 in South Korea.

He defended his crown three times already, the last a sixth round stoppage of Japanese Daigo Nakahiro on Feb. 5 last year in Osaka. 

In his previous ring appearance just three weeks ago, the WBC ranked No. 3 bantamweight Tuñacao flattened Yuki Takemoto in the fourth round at Kobe’s Central Gym, cementing further his status as a legitimate world title contender.

“My discipline and determination put me back on the right track. At times when I’m down, I just kept the faith in me. To those aspiring boxers, you must always believe in yourself because if you don’t, no one else will,” said Tuñacao.