Caitom relishes an enriching experience at WBO Convention

CEBU, Philippines — Cebuano boxing referee and judge Rey Caitom, Jr. relishes his wonderful experience taking part in a World Boxing Organization (WBO) Convention for the first time in San Juan, Puerto Rico recently.

The former champion fighter turned third man on the ring spent his hear-earned savings just to broaden his horizon at the 37th edition of the annual gathering of top boxing officials all over the world.

It was all worth it for Caitom.

Before heading to the Carribean island, Caitom made a stop in Los Angeles, California where he was reunited with his erstwhile ALA stablemates Rodel Mayol, Jason Pagara and Mark Magsayo.

There, he also exchanged pleasantries with other ex-Pinoy titleholders in Romero Duno and James Bacon who are now based in the United States.

Accompanied by Mayol, Caitom took the golden opportunity of visiting the famed Wild Card Gym in Hollywood where he met the legendary trainer Freddie Roach in person for the first time as well as Victor Ortiz, who once reigned as WBC welterweight king.

That set a beautiful tone for Caitom’s maiden trip to the Americas.    

At the WBO assembly, Caitom marveled at the sight of esteemed referees Kenny Bayless and Daniel Sandoval, the presidents of all four major boxing organizations (WBC, WBO, WBA, and IBF), some legendary figures of the sport namely Terence Crawford, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Lopez among others, and his fellow Filipino ring officials including the WBO Vice President for Asia Pacific Leon Panoncilo

Most importantly, Caitom was able to accomplish his main mission - attending the WBO Referee and Judges Seminar that widened his knowledge on the unified boxing rules and updated scoring guidelines.

He also took the Association of Boxing Commissions (ABC) examinations in the hope of becoming an international boxing official.

“Nindot kaayo ang akoa na-experience sa WBO convention. Na-meet nako ang sikat nga mga personalidad sa boxing nga sa una kutob ra sa TV nako makita. Daghan kaayo ko og nakat-onan ug dili gyud nako malimtan ang tanan,” shared Caitom.