No father for dead pug’s baby

Superbantamweight fighter Maruel Zayas would’ve been a father next month when his first baby is due. But time ran out on the ill-fated Butuan City native who died Thursday of head injuries at the Ramos Hospital in Tarlac City five days after he was knocked out in only his 16th professional bout.

The oldest of seven children, Zayas turned pro in 1998 and took a 9-5-1 record, with three knockouts, into the ring to face Alex Escaner in Paniqui, Tarlac, last Saturday. The fight was a waterfront brawl.

Promoter Johnny Elorde said it was nip-and-tuck in the first four rounds until Escaner gradually wore down Zayas with a blistering counterattack. Zayas, coming off four straight losses, wanted to win badly and refused to surrender despite Escaner dominating the action in the later rounds.

In the ninth canto, Escaner landed three straight blows to send Zayas down on the canvas. Referee Robert Macasil counted out Zayas who then got up and walked back to his corner. Ringside physician Dr. Renato Alampay examined Zayas and didn’t like what he saw. Elorde said he noticed Zayas’ eyes rolling.

Zayas was carried out of the stadium on a stretcher and rushed to the Ramos Hospital.

That night, Elorde visited Zayas in the hospital and said it appeared that the worst was over. Zayas’ trainer Charlie Sanchez reported that the fighter responded to stimuli and was semi-conscious. Sanchez said he was reminded by Zayas to pick up his gym bag which he hid under the ring in Paniqui.

Two CT-scans were taken of Zayas’ brain at the hospital and doctors said there was a small blood clot. It didn’t seem like surgery was necessary.

Zayas’ pregnant wife and his parents later came to cheer up the stricken fighter who was ordered under observation by doctors. According to Sanchez, Zayas joked with his wife and even touched her stomach two days after the fight. He supposedly assured his wife that he was well and strong again. Then, like a thief in the night, death struck.

"Nabigla kaming lahat," said Elorde. "Hindi namin akalain na mamamatay siya at noong kami’y bumisita, parang okay na ang kanyang lagay."

Yesterday, Dr. Alampay drove from Manila to confer with doctors in Tarlac on Zayas’ case. Dr. Alampay told The STAR he will study the CT-scans and medical reports carefully before issuing a statement. He confirmed that Zayas died of a brain hemorrhage and severe cerebral trauma as a result of the knockout.

Zayas’ registered manager, former fighter Robert Garcia, is in the US and has phoned the Games and Amusements Board (GAB) office to express concern over the fighter’s death. Garcia’s first manager was the late Australian Mick O’Brien.

Zayas’ father Manuel works as a blade strapper on fighting cocks. His mother Marita takes care of their modest home in Angeles City.

Zayas was paid P8,000 for the Escaner fight. Before losing to Escaner, he was knocked out by Raffy Aladi in the fifth round and Noel Sungahid in a single round. He lost to Jundell Yabut in his first pro outing then was unbeaten in his next eight bouts before bowing to Orly Padilla on a fourth round stoppage.