Ex-boxing champ fights for life

Malcolm Tuñacao

Former world boxing champion Malcolm Tuñacao was critically wounded after he was hacked by his jealous live-in partner in their home in barangay Umapad, Mandaue City early morning yesterday.

Jessica Grace Tiu, 39, was full of remorse after the incident, according to international boxing judge Salven Lagumbay.

Lagumbay said he was able to talk to Tiu through the cell phone of her friend, who visited the woman in her detention cell in Mandaue City.

“She was crying and I could barely understand what she was saying. But she told me she was deeply sorry,” Lagumbay said in his Facebook post.

In an interview, Lagumbay said Tiu also handed an unspecified amount of cash to Tuñacao’s friend for his hospital bills.

Lagumbay said Tuñacao was already in stable condition as of last night, though he sustained serious injuries.

Tuñacao, a former WBC flyweight champion, sustained a huge hack wound in the head, arms, hands and body.

The police report stated that Tiu attacked Tuñacao with a bolo while the man was asleep.

Tuñacao used his hands to parry the blows.

Police said the couple fought last Tuesday after Tiu found out that Tuñacao had arrived from Japan for several days already, but did not go home to their house in sitio Purok Tambis.

Tuñacao worked as trainer in a boxing gym located in Kobe, Japan after his retirement a few months ago, Lagumbay added.

Tuñacao retired with 35 wins, including 20 by way of knockouts. He also logged three losses and three draws.

Tuñacao has been based in Japan for a few years already before his retirement because his manager was based in Japan.

Tuñacao’s former handler Antonio L. Aldeguer, the founder of ALA Boxing Gym, was saddened after learning about the incident.

“I am praying for his early recovery and let us all do the same,” said Aldeguer./CORRESPONDENTS JHUNNEX NAPALLACAN, NORMAN V. MENDOZA AND REPORTER GLEN DALE ROSAL