LAS VEGAS ? As the car I rode in pulled up to the main entrance of the Hilton Hotel the other night, a bellman dutifully opened the door. I knew right away whom he was without even looking at his nameplate.
The bellman was former International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight champion Rolando Bohol.
I was stranded here with more than 200 co-passengers for a night because our Philippine Airlines flight couldn?t take off on schedule from a stopover in Vancouver due to inclement weather. And when it was finally cleared to leave after de-icing, the plane had to go back because a passenger suffered a panic attack.
Without the delay, I wouldn?t have bumped into Bohol. So in a sense, it was eventful in more ways than one.
After checking in and dumping my bags in Room 903, I walked back to the hotel lobby to interview Bohol. It was 2 a.m. and the early morning air was cold. But the timing was perfect for an interview because Bohol was relatively free and could talk about his life without too many interruptions from guests.
Bohol, 41, moved to Honolulu from Manila in 1994 and retired from the ring two years later after losing to Orlando Canizales in a bid for the IBF bantamweight crown. He hasn?t been back home since migrating to the US.
Bohol works two jobs as a bellman from 12 midnight to 8 a.m. at the Hilton and from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Tropicana Hotel. He?s off Wednesdays and Thursdays from his Hilton job but works those days at the Tropicana so a seven-day workweek is typical.
In a month, Bohol earns about $4,700 in salaries from his two jobs and pockets about $3,000 in tips. What he gains is more than enough to pay the $1,456 a month rent for a two-bedroom condominium on Silverado Ranch Boulevard.
Bohol lives in the unit with his 11-year-old daughter Mariella and two aunts from Honolulu. It was only last March when Bohol transferred from Honolulu because his daughter wanted to go to school here.
Bohol said living in the US pays off for anyone who?s willing to work hard, sacrifice long hours and does his job to the best of his ability.
A long-term plan is to set up a boxing gym in the strip. Bohol said he?ll raise the capital from his savings and the sale of his Honolulu condominium.
“Most of the boxing gyms in Vegas are in the downtown industrial section,” said Bohol, a father of four ? Gabriel, 16, Anna Lia Roxanne, 15, Mariella Sabel, 11, and Shira Mae Roann, 9. “I want to be the first to open a gym in the strip.”
Bohol has been married twice and divorced twice. He is single and unattached. His love affairs are legendary. However, he said he now prefers a quiet life with his daughter. His other children live in Manila.
Bohol, who weighs 142 pounds, said he lifts weights and works out in a gym an hour a day to keep in shape. When he was a fighter, his manager Bebot Elorde would take him to Johnny Tocco?s gym here to train with other Filipinos Virgilio and Paquito Openo and Pretty Boy Lucas.
At the Hilton, his co-workers call him “Champ.” Once, he introduced himself as a former world titlist to frequent Hilton guest Julio Cesar Chavez who said he respects Filipino fighters, especially Manny Pacquiao, for their courage and fierceness in the ring.
Bohol said if he had a chance to relive his life, he wouldn?t change anything.
“I?m content with what I?ve done in my life and I?m hoping to do more,” said Bohol. “I spoke with Mrs. (Laura) Elorde recently and I might go back home to receive an award as a former world champion next year. I am happy and secure. I am a green card holder and will soon be sworn in as a US citizen. My life is good in the US and I work hard to save for the future.”
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