ALA Promotions recently revealed that one of its boxers Larry “Bon Jovi” Canillas fell ill and is confined for more than a month now at the Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital.
In an e-mail sent to Cebu Daily News , ALA Promotions executive assistant to the CEO Chad Canares said Canillas has been hospitalized since Feb. 22 after the boxer fell unconscious after his regular sparring sessions against Mark Acub and Marjohn Yap at the ALA Gym in Talamban.
“It occurred after his usual sparring session and regular training like speed ball, stretching and cool down exercises. On his way to the shower, he complained to a co-fighter about having a headache,” said Canares in the e-mail.
Canillas’ trainers immediately rushed the boxer to the hospital, where he went through tests. The trainers also picked up his wife and informed the family about the incident.
“After the doctor assessed the situation, he recommended for him to be operated on. The result of the said operation was a success and he is now slowly recovering,” added Canares.
Canillas has a record of 17 wins, 4 losses and 14 knockouts.
Canares said ALA Boxing Gym took care of the expenses of Canillas’ hospitalization.
Canares also said that ALA Boxing did not want to publicize the matter “to avoid putting his family in stress at that moment.”
“He is okay right now. He is already responding to us. I think he is stable,” said ALA Boxing Gym trainer Joseph Baldago.
According to boxing patron and founder of ALA Boxing Gym Antonio L. Aldeguer, Canillas is now conscious, recovering and responding to everyone.
“I shouldered the finances, medication and hospitalization for him,” said Aldeguer.
In 2009, ALA Boxing Gym also encountered almost the same problem when stalwart Z “The Dream” Gorres was hospitalized and went into a coma after his bout against Luis Melendez in Mandalay Bay House of Blues in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.
Gorres’ severe head injury forced him to retire. He also underwent several brain operations. With the help of ALA Boxing Promotions, Gorres was able to recover.