By Bong Pedalino

Maasin City (5 February) -- His name has packed a lot of promise in the world of boxing and, in fact, he has been dubbed invariably as "Batang Maasin" or "Maasin Bomber", with much hope that as he struggles every ladder of success in his rising career the name of this city would have been attached.

All that is now replaced with fond memories of Alex Aroy, as news filtered in today that he suddenly met his Maker after a rematch fight in Villaba, Leyte, last night, February 4, 2008.

The circumstances leading to Aroy's untimely death are still sketchy as this report is being pieced together. Initial reports said he had had a bout of fever the past two weeks, his body condition not fit for fighting, but he still had a go for it last night.

City Mayor Maloney Samaco, speaking during the city-paid airtime over DYDM this morning, narrated that he was called by someone privy to the fight late last night, informing him of the shocking developments.

The rematch with Boholano boxer Arnel Tadena was finished, with Tadena winning a unanimous decision over a visibly ill-prepared Aroy, then as the boxers and their trainors and coaches went off to their respective quarters after the fight, Aroy suddenly collapsed.

He was immediately brought to the Palompon hospital where he was declared dead on arrival, Mayor Samaco recounted, quoting the call.

But Samaco cautioned it was not the official statement, saying he was just narrating what he learned about the incident.

He said he would file a request with the Games and Amusement Board for an investigation on what really happened.

Last year, on August 14, 2007, Aroy, the current holder of the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) light-flyweight title, defended his belt against Tadena in the city gym as part of the activities of the fiesta celebration. The fight ended in a draw as Tadena suffered an accidental cut in the head.

Aroy had a crack at the World Boxing Council (WBC) International title against a South African, Zukisani Kwayiba, on September 21, 2007, at Temba, South Africa.

But the fight was marred with controversy when the lights just went out in the boxing ring of the venue at the Carousel Hotel and Casino while Aroy was clearly dominating the game with his relentless attack.

After the "brownout" on the seventh round the scorecards were read and Aroy lost on points.