If Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be getting the highest paycheck for their mega-fight on May 2, expected to generate USD 200M. But Filipino light flyweight titlist Rey Loreto is still unpaid for his USD 42,000 purse in his title defense.

Loreto (20-13, 12 KO’s) successfully defended his title against Nkosinathi Joyi in a rematch in Joyi’s home turf at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre in East London, South Africa on March 22, 2015.

Unfortunately, up to this writing, the African promoter was still unable to pay Loreto’s purse.

“Reigning International Boxing Organization (IBO) world junior flyweight champion Rey “Hitman” Loreto is now back home in Davao City but has not yet been paid of his purse – a $42,000 for successfully defending his title in South Africa last March 24.”, writes Lito De los Reyes of Philboxing.com.

The first bout was also in the same arena; Loreto scored a highlight reel knockout victory over African Joyi. The then champion Joyi was very popular in his home country.

In the rematch, Joyi (24-4, 17 KO’s) is expected to regain his title from the ill-prepared Loreto. But Joyi was brutally knocked out at 1:46 mark in Round 1.

Earlier, I wrote a commentary about the reported condition of Loreto prior to the fight. Loreto underwent appendectomy procedure. Appendectomy is a surgical procedure to remove the appendix to cure appendicitis.

The fight happened on March 22. And Loreto was operated on Feb 6.

In my calculation, Loreto fought Joyi 45 days after the surgical operation. This raised the red flag.

According to Healthonline.com,“it takes about four to six weeks to fully recover”.
But Loreto agreed to risk not only his title but his health with money as the main motivation.

“Hindi pa kasi tapos yun pinapagawa kong bahay sa Calinan. Yung premyo ko po sana ang gagamitin ko para matapos na ang bahay namin,” said Loreto.

Even if a boxer is 100% healthy, he still put his health at risk because boxing is a contact sport. Loreto’s condition at that time was pretty bad. Luckily he pulled out an early stoppage. But if he did not, I doubt if he will last up to five rounds.

The guy was too motivated to finish his dream house for his family. I can relate to that because my dream house is not yet finish. And I’m putting all my efforts to finance and finish it up.

But in Loreto’s case, it’s so unfortunate and I feel bad about it. He tried to risk it all, but until now he was not paid.

Defending IBO light flyweight titlist, Rey Loreto knocked out Nkosinathi Joyi in Round 1 of their rematch in East London, South Africa.

The unknown Loreto came out from nowhere scoring a devastating 3rd round knockout victory over former Olympian and then light flyweight titlist Joyi (24-4, 17 KO's) during their first encounter in February last year.

After 13 months, Loreto (20-13, 12 KO's) repeats history, this time knocking out Joyi in Round 1. He overcome the greatest adversity a boxer may have in a fight.

It was miracle how Loreto won via knockout in a fight he’s destined to lose. Loreto underwent a surgical operation 45 days before the fight. But he managed to overcome the huge disadvantage and came out victorious.

Loreto underwent appendectomy—a surgical operation to remove the appendix to cure appendicitis on Feb 6.

The fight was originally scheduled on Feb 28. But was pushed back to March 22 to give time for Loreto’s wounds to heal. Yes! 45 days is needed to heal--but not to train and get ready. But to go back to training for the fight to get back into fighting form is impossible.

According to Healthline.com, after an appendectomy “it takes about four to six weeks to fully recover”.

“Full recovery from an appendectomy takes about four to six weeks. During this time, your doctor will probably recommend that you limit your physical activity to allow your body to heal. You may also be prescribed antibiotics after the surgery to lower your risk of infection.”

With the above condition, I assumed Loreto did not come back for training. He utilized 45 days to fully recover. But he was not able to go back to training. Then he was pulled out from bed rest to put on the gloves, climbed the ring for a suicide mission.

I’m not a doctor, but I understand the situation and the risk Loreto played. I don’t know who cleared Loreto to fight. And it seemed nobody picked up from the Philippine media regarding the risk Loreto took.

My daughter was operated due to fractured bone last week. He shared the same surgical ward with a patient who underwent appendectomy procedure. He was a 12 year old kid, graduating in elementary, a taekwondo champion and basketball MVP for 12 years old and under league in their municipality. He's physically active but I saw how he suffered the pain, how his body weakened due to the operation. The recovery is fast but painful. I doubt if he can play basketball after 45 days. But Loreto fought after 45 days.

In a report it was mentioned that Loreto grabbed the opportunity because he needed the money to build a house for his family. In my opinion, it was not a wise decision for Loreto and he’s team should advise him the right decision.

Building a house can wait, but fighting with his condition can make him go back to the hospital without delay. And all his earnings from the fight might not be enough for hospital bills.

Come on this is boxing, this is not chess match, wherein a week after a surgical operation he can compete. A solid blow to the body could mean a disastrous end.

Anyway, I’m glad the fight did not end in the above way. I salute Loreto’s heart and courage. But courage should not lead to idiotic act. I'm not criticizing the fighter here. A fighter will always be a warrior and fight his fight. But it is the handlers or boxing officials duty to ascertain the fighter's safety.