Philippines, 07 May 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Varias Milling: The Bicol Ghost Chicago Couldn’t Ignore


PhilBoxing.com




The boxing ring does not care where you came from, what you gave up, or how much you deserve a break. It only knows one thing— the fight. The pain. The will to stand up when everything tells you to stay down.

Varias Milling knew that feeling better than most.

He fought in places where the cheers weren’t for him, where the pay barely covered the bruises, and where every round was a reminder that boxing was a business first, a sport second, and fair play only mattered when it was convenient. He wasn’t just another Filipino fighter hoping to carve out a living…he was a warrior, a man who stood his ground against some of the best to ever lace up gloves. He gave everything to this sport. But when it was done with him, it left him behind.

From Bicol to Chicago: Fighting for a Place in the World

Milling didn’t come from boxing royalty. No sponsors were waiting. No promoters were hyping him up as the next big thing. He came from Bicol, a land shaped by storms and volcanic eruptions, where life didn’t hand out favors. Boxing wasn’t a childhood dream—it was just another way to survive.

That same fight carried him across the Pacific to Chicago, a city where the ring was as ruthless as the streets. Here, boxing wasn’t just a sport— it was a racket, controlled by men in suits who counted money while fighters bled for their cut. Milling wasn’t there to play second fiddle. He wasn’t there to just get by.

He was there to prove he belonged.

And fight after fight, he did just that.


Source: The Los Angeles Times (Los Angeles, California) • Sun, Nov 1, 1931 • Page 73

A Warrior Who Took on the Best

Between the late 1920s and 1930s, Milling stepped into the ring 132 times, earning 57 wins, 50 losses, and 25 draws. No hand picked opponents. No easy wins. He took on anyone, anywhere. And some of those names went on to become legends.

Henry Armstrong – One of, if not, the greatest to ever do it. A man who held three world titles at once. Milling lasted the full ten rounds in their first fight before Armstrong stopped him in the rematch.
Baby Arizmendi – A relentless world champion. In 1932, Milling battled him to a draw in Los Angeles, proving he could hang with the best.
Mickey Cohen – Before he was a feared gangster, Cohen was just another fighter. Milling took him apart in Oakland in 1932, stopping him in eight rounds.
Fidel LaBarba – An Olympic gold medalist and former world champion, known for his sharp technique. Milling fought him multiple times, refusing to be outclassed.
Midget Wolgast – A future Hall of Famer, quick and relentless. Milling went the distance with him twice, dropping close decisions.
Petey Sarron – A future featherweight world champion. Milling fought him in Virginia in 1933, lasting ten hard rounds before losing on points.

These weren’t just fights. These were battles, and Varias Miling (his original surname spelling) never took a step backward.

The Title Shot That Never Came

Boxing isn’t just about who’s the toughest. It’s about money, connections, and politics— the whispered deals in back rooms that decide who gets a shot at greatness and who gets left in the shadows. Milling was supposed to get his chance. If he could beat Newsboy Brown, he would be next in line to fight Bat Battalino for the featherweight title. A shot at the history books.

It never happened.

Maybe it was politics. Maybe it was money. Maybe it was just how the fight game worked. One moment, the opportunity was there. The next, it was gone.

The wins kept coming. So did the losses. And at some point, the whispers changed. He wasn’t the rising star anymore. He was the veteran, the measuring stick for young fighters looking to prove they were ready for the big leagues.

He knew what that meant. Every fighter does. But he never turned down a fight.

Source: THE KNOCKOUT, Published Weekly Vol. 5, page 6, JULY 30, 1932

The Fight Outlives the Fighter

The years rolled on. The arenas emptied. The crowds moved on. But Milling? He lived long after his days in the ring. He died on June 5, 1987, at the age of 79.

Boxing boosters build statues, write
books, and retell stories of those who held the belts. But fighters like Milling? They become shadows. But ghosts don’t just disappear. They linger in old stories, in grainy photos, in the quiet corners of the sport where real ones still whisper their names.

Varias Milling, the Bicol Ghost, never wore a championship belt, but that never defined him.

Sources and recommended readings:

• Top Photo of Varias Milling: THE KNOCKOUT, Published Weekly, No. 47, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1932
• Boxrec.com: https://boxrec.com/en/box-pro/9565 (The record of Varias Milling in the Philippines was obtained by Luckett Davis from the Manila Daily Times and the Manila Daily Bulletin; His record in Australia was provided by John M. Hogg of Brisbane; His record in Great Britain is from BOXING (England); His American record is from the Chicago Tribune (searched by Bob Soderman) and various other newspapers, as compiled by Luckett Davis)
• BoxerList.com: https://boxerlist.com/boxer/varias-milling/8123
• All photos and references in this article are properly attributed and comply with the U.S. Fair Use Doctrine




Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Sampson Lewkowicz Congratulates Cardenas, Romero and Espinoza and Vows to Make Next Year's Cinco de Mayo Unforgettable, Highlighted by David Benavidez Facing the Winner of Bivol vs. Beterbiev
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Saving the Best for Last: GSW Upstages Raw Rockets
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Antonio, Bagamasbad face tough competition in Woman FIDE Master Sheerie Joy Lomibao Open Rapid Chess Tournament on May 18
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Andres “Savage” Cortes Finishes Strong Training Camp Ahead of Crucial May 10 Clash Against Salvador Jimenez at Pechanga Arena San Diego
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • SALITA PROMOTIONS and ALL THE SMOKE FIGHT PRESENT HALL OF FAME FIGHT NIGHT
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • IBA embraces Bare Knuckle Boxing
    , Tue, 06 May 2025
  • Monster Dynamite: Inoue Crushes Cardenas in Eight
    , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • "THE MONSTER" SURVIVES EARLY SCARE, DESTROYS CARDENAS IN THRILLING WAR TO RETAIN UNDISPUTED CROWN
    By Dong Secuya, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Dana White to Promote Canelo vs. Crawford: UFC Boss Set to Elevate Superfight to Historic Levels
    By T. Chin-Te, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Bata Reyes impressed with upcoming young players during exhibition in Libis
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 05 May 2025
  • Canelo Wins the 'Xicoténcatl' Belt and is Undisputed Super Middleweight Champion Once Again
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Florentino Inumerable rules 2025 Illinois Senior State Chess Championships
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Canelo Grinds Out Uninspiring Win Over Elusive William Scull in Saudi Arabia; Canelo-Crawford Up Next
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Badou Jack Edges Norair Mikaelian in Grueling Cruiserweight Battle on Canelo-Scull Undercard
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Jaime Munguía Avenges Loss, Dominates Bruno Suráce in Riyadh Rematch
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas/Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez World Championship Doubleheader
    , Sun, 04 May 2025
  • Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia, Throws Garcia-Haney Rematch into Chaos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Haney's Cautious Approach Leads to Wide Decision Win Over Ramirez in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Teo Lopez Retains Titles with Unanimous Decision Over Barboza Jr. in Times Square
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Canelo and Scull Hit the Scales: Undisputed Super Middleweight Showdown Set for Tomorrow in Riyadh
    , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas & Rafael Espinoza-Edward Vazquez Top Monster World Championship Doubleheader Sunday in Las Vegas
    , Sat, 03 May 2025
  • Triple A Promotions Presents Live Boxing at R&J Music Pavilion in San Antonio on May 10
    , Sat, 03 May 2025




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2025 philboxing.com.