CEBU, Philippines – Thirty-seven-year-old Malcom "Eagle Eye" Tuñacao, a former world boxing champion, sustained injuries after he was hacked by his live-in partner inside their house at Purok Tambis of Barangay Umapad in Mandaue City yesterday morning.
According to Senior Police Officer 4 Fernando Gabutero of the Opao Police Station, Tuñacao was at the time sleeping when hacked by his partner, 39-year-old Jessica Grace Tiu, after a heated altercation earlier.
Gabutero quoted the neighbors of the couple that the two were into a fight last Tuesday due to the allegations of a "third party."
The police official said the neighbors later thought the altercation was already settled because there was already silence. "Pero natulog na diay," they told Gabutero.
But when Tiu woke up yesterday morning, she got a bolo and hacked Tuñacao on the head. The latter was roused from sleep and tried to take the bolo away from the woman but failed because he was already weak due to his injuries.
Gabutero said Tiu, however, was also the one who helped bring the victim outside their house. The child of Tuñacao saw his condition and immediately brought him to the hospital for medical attention.
Aside from head injuries, Tuñacao also sustained wounds on his hand and body. He was said to be "half-paralyzed" when taken to the Chong Hua Hospital where he is now recuperating.
Tiu is currently detained at the Opao Police Station, while the police were preparing a frustrated murder charge against her.
Exactly a year ago, Tuñacao won his last fight via a fifth round technical decision against Ryuta Otsuka at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo, Japan.
He also defeated Thai champion Medgoen Singsurat by a seventh round technical knockout on May 19, 2000, to take the WBC World Flyweight title at Srimnang Outdoor Arena in Udon Thani, Thailand.
After starting as an amateur boxer with the ALA Boxing Gym, Tuñacao posted a record of 35 wins, 20 of those in knockouts, with three losses and three draws in his professional career.