Ilonggo world boxing champion loses, recovers belt

ILOILO CITY – Filipino World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Minimum champion Denver “The Excitement” Cuello, who traces his roots to the townof Cabatuan in northwestern Iloilo, shed tears when his championship belt was safely returned to him last Thursday, after he had inadvertently left it in acab Monday night as he stepped out of the vehicle somewhere in Cubao.
Cuello furiously fought a Mexican brawler in Mexico on September 29 bucking a shoulder injury and a big cut in the right eye to wrest the title.
He left Mexico Oct. 3 and arrived recently in the country. He blamed inadequate sleep and fatigue which nearly cost him his prized possession, but vowed never to let it happen again.
The taxi driver, Pepito Sumalijog, who received copious thanks from the grateful Cuello said he saw on national television the boxing champion making an appeal for a return of his title belt, as he admitted he did not have an inkling it belonged to a world champion.
Sumalijog said he bore no malicious intent on Cuello’s precious girdle, although he himself is poor and needy.