Former ALA Fighter Rey Caitom in Action this Saturday in Singapore

By Carlos Costa

After years away from boxing, former ALA Promotions rising-star Rey Caitom Jr (7-0-1, 2 KO’s) of Cebu is back in battling mode against Thailand’s former Asian champion and world title contender Khachonsak Pothong (also known as Kaichon Sor Vorapin), this coming Saturday, June 29, at the Juggernaut Fight Club in the Lion City, Singapore.

The rumble will be Caitom’s second clash after a long twelve-year absence from the ring.  But the 33-year-old light flyweight fighter born in Mandaue City, Cebu, is still crazy about boxing.  

In his last fight, “The Future” Caitom scored a unanimous decision win over Indonesian journeyman Silem Serang (13-20-2, 1 KO) last November in Singapore.    Khachonsak Pothong (25-18, 9 KO’s) is next for Saturday’s battle.

Will the friendly and shy Rey Caitom Jr., press forward his boxing career by ravaging the experienced Khachonsak Pothong inside the six-round distance?  Or will it be the other way around?

The fight is a tough one as the Thailander has been more active.   Some ring rust could be an issue for Rey.  

Plus, the Thai Khachonsak Pothong is no doubt a dangerous man.   

Yes indeed.   At 37-year-of-age, Pothong is not only known for being a former Asian Pacific titlist, as well as a challenger to the light flyweight world title in Tucson, Arizona back in 2005.  

That’s not all.

Pothong is also remembered as the lethal fighter who ended the life of 20-year-old Indonesian boxer Antonius Moses.  That ring tragedy unfolded in January of 2004 at the RCTI TV Studios in Jakarta.    

The fallen Antonius suffered a brain injury and died six days after his eighth-round knockout loss against Pothong.

Yes, Pothong might not be the same powerful ruthless warrior he was in 2004, but no doubt that he still knows how to fight, so the Filipino has to be extra careful.

WHY IS REY CAITOM JR., STILL FIGHTING, WHY HE CAME BACK TO BOXING?

“I came back from retirement last November.  I still love the sport of boxing.    I grew up in ALA Boxing Gym in Cebu.   It was my home for years.    I loved it there.   Many memories.     Nic Banal (now a PBO-CV sought-after referee) was my batchmate in boxing.    I had many friends.. many boxing brothers.

“I left ALA Gym in a good way and I like don Antonio Aldeguer, and I miss all my brothers at ALA.    

“But I left because I wanted to help my family by working here in Singapore.   Almost 9 years I have lived and worked here in Singapore and now I am back in boxing.”

“Then, I returned to boxing.  Why?   Because I want to become a world champion one day.     I want to get the opportunity to fight for the world championship belt.   

REY, WHAT WOULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR OPPONENT FOR SATURDAY, YOUR TRAINING, AND YOUR WEIGHT?


“My opponent is from Thailand.   His last name is Pothong and has fought a total of 43 fights, three times former Asian champion.  Tough opponent.

“My new trainer and promoter is Singaporean man of boxing Arvind Lalwani.    He is my coach as well as my promoter.   I like him a lot.   He is the owner of the Juggernaut Boxing Clubs here in Singapore.

“I am comfortable at minimum (105 pounds) or Light flyweight (108), sir, really.  

“Because I feel that I am a big and strong man for those weights.   

“Mr. Costa, I saw you last April during the Omega boxing event at Robinsons Galleria Cebu.    I just saw you.   But I did go to talk to you.  Next time I visit Cebu I will say hello.     Thank you for caring about my boxing career.”

Best of luck to Cebuano boxer Rey Caitom in his coming fight, June 29, and May the Best Man Win.

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The author Carlos Costa is a Panama veteran man of boxing living in the Philippines.    Carlos can be reached at carlos512@hotmail.com and whatsapp/viber/wechat/messenger:   +639184538152.

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