Cuello loses WBC belt - in a cab

MANILA, Philippines - Filipino boxer Denver Cuello lost his WBC Silver minimumweight belt one week after he defeated Ivan Meneses by unanimous decision in Michoacan de Ocampo in Mexico.

No, the 25-year-old Cuello was not stripped of his title. He left it inside a taxi which he boarded in Manila the other night.

Cuello, who has long dreamed of becoming a world champion, said he was on his way home from a TV interview when he realized that his bag containing the WBC belt was missing.

Cuello wasn’t even sure how he lost it except that when he boarded the cab he had it with him. He said he was so tired for the day when the incident happened.

Now he can only hope that the cab driver or anyone who found the bag containing his belt would return it to him.

“Sana po maibalik sa akin yung belt ko kasi pinaghirapan ko po talaga ‘yun (I hope I get it back because I really worked hard for it),” Cuello said.

His manager, Aljo Jaro, said it was unfortunate for his boxer to lose his belt outside the ring. He also appealed for the finder to return it to the boxer.

“Buhay po ni Denver ‘yun (That’s Denver’s life),” said Jaro.

“Sana po kung sino man ang nakakuha, isauli na lang po. Dugo at pawis po ang puhunan ni Denver bago niya makuha yung titulong ‘yan (I hope whoever found it would return it. It’s blood, sweat and tears for Denver to earn that title),” he added.