Caitom’s boxing career comes full circle

CEBU, Philippines — He first made a name as a decorated amateur boxer with six national titles under his belt under the aegis of Cebu’s fabled ALA Gym.

He later turned pro but after a couple of bouts, Rey Caitom, Jr. temporarily left the sport to seek greener pastures in Singapore where he worked as boxing trainer and fitness instructor for over a decade.

After 12 long years of inactivity as a fighter, he decided to return to the ring.

Caitom came back in a blaze of glory spotlighted by a smashing second-round knockout of Indonesian Frans Damur Palue to clinch the WBC Asia Boxing Council Continental minimumweight title on September 29, 2019.

Unfortunately, he faltered in his bid for the World Boxing Foundation (WBF) 105-pound crown after being stopped in the fifth round by one-time world title challenger ArAr Andales in his homecoming fight on March 9, 2020 at the Robinsons Galleria Cebu.

That prompted Caitom to hang up his gloves for the second and last time.

Not only that, it also forced him to go back to his hometown Cebu for good.

A goal-oriented person, Caitom drew money from his savings to establish a modest sweat shop, the Caitom Boxing Fitness Gym in Cordova, Cebu where he now resides together with his wife Hazel and their growing family of five.

Out of all his accomplishments, Caitom finds new joy as referee and judge.

Interestingly, Caitom has just officiated his first championship match featuring Criztian Pitt “Golden Boy” Laurente of General Santos City and Richard Bulacan of Davao City in a battle of unbeatens for the Philippine GAB Youth super featherweight belt last June 18 in Mobo, Masbate.

“Naka decide ko nga mag-professional referee and judge para ma-share nako ang ako mga experience ug labaw sa tanan for the love of boxing gyud ni ang ako,” Caitom said.

From an amateur standout to champion boxer, trainer, gym owner and now third man in the ring, Caitom has indeed comleted the full cycle of his fistic career.

Feeling grateful and blessed at this point of his career, Caitom commits himself to helping the young aspiring boxers in their place to further sharpen their skills and guide them along the way towards reaching their dreams someday.

“My goal is to help young kids especially those who aspire to become a boxer one day. I really want to give back to the sport that helped made me what I am now today,” Caitom.

From what he had been through, Caitom has learned some valuable lessons in life that he would like to share to others.

“Akong advice sa mga boxers nga mag-save gyud once naa sila money aron maabot nila ila goals in life like house and lot or business investment para once mo-retire na sila sa boxing naa gihapon sila income alang sa ilang daily needs kay ang kwarta dali ra kaayo gastuhon but lisod pangitaon,”Caitom ended.