CHICAGO—Like most of the cubicles in Las Vegas’ Valley Hospital Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Room No. 15 was a smallish 6-by-20 foot triage. The walls and ceiling were lily-white, and cluttered with various medical devices.
A bed sat in the middle. It had coal-black wheels, hard cushions, and stainless metal side rails. Wearing a green hospital gown and gray socks, Czar Amonsot slumped in the bed, him and his 135 pounds of muscle and bone.
Czar was hooked to a gadget that monitored his blood pressure. A metal clip, which measured his heart rate, was attached to his left index finger. And his right arm was poked, allowing a small bag of 0.9 sodium chloride injectible USP to pass through his veins.
Room 15 was a sad, depressing, chamber to be in. And Czar had lingered there for over 17 hours when I joined members of Team ALA as they checked on the 21-year-old Amonsot.
Per hospital rules, we trooped to Room 15 in twos, at 15-minute intervals.
I and Michael Aldeguer were the first pair to go.
Czar’s eyes looked a little weary and sunken, but it lit like New Year’s eve when he saw Mike, his deeply worried manager.
“I want to go home,” Czar moaned in the vernacular.
If he could, Mike would have gladly sent Czar home, buckle him up in airplane seat for the long ride home. But Czar must stay until everything is cleared. And that means “three or four more days,” said Michael Orpilla, the Filipino nurse assigned to Amonsot.
He no longer has headaches, but Czar was famished and clamored for food.
If Mike could, he would have eagerly given Czar a feast. But Czar isn’t allowed solid food just yet because of the possibility that he might undergo surgery.
Czar has a small bleeding in his brain, a subdural hematoma. But the ALA fighter is fine. All his vital signs are normal and the three CT scans that have so far been taken on him yielded wonderful results.
Czar will survive this harrowing episode in his young, innocent life.
In a period of “three to six weeks,” the nurse explained, Czar’s bleeding will be absorbed as the body heals itself. He is expected to make a full recovery.
Will Czar ever fight again?
If neurologists clear him, yes.
But if this episode leaves a lingering effect, mentally or physically, his handlers won’t let Czar lace those leather gloves ever again. “The health and well-being of our boxers is always top priority,“ Michael Aldeguer reiterated.
Right now, though, the focus is getting Czar well. A goal that is being accomplished, slowly but surely, at Valley Hospital.
Shortly after mine and Mike’s visit, SGG boss Sammy Gello-ani and ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor followed. Cutman Tony Martin, his two sons, Edward and Matt, and Czar’s good friends at 3C Wireless also got their turn.
Czar is conscious and fully aware of the events swirling around him since Saturday night, when his bloody battle with Michael Katisidis led to his hospitalization.
Yes, Czar lost his title bid. But watching his eyes dance as visitors lined up to see him last Sunday afternoon, I think Czar found joy in the knowledge that so many people love him. Win or lose.
When Czar returns to Tagbilaran city, Bohol, whenever that is, he deserves a hero’s welcome, too.
Even in defeat, Czar acquitted himself well. He survived 12 violent rounds. He ignored pain, and fought with purpose and determination. And he punished Katsidis, shutting his left eye while slicing the other.
He isn’t aggressive as Manny Pacquiao. He doesn’t have the power punch of Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista, or the quickness of a Brian Viloria.
But Czar Amonsot is one heck of a contender.
Strong. Tough. And brave.
Czar couldn’t quite finish Katsidis. But trust me, he will TKO his hematoma. Mabuhay ka, Czar Amonsot.
