IT HAS been almost two months since Larry ?Bon Jovi? Canillas? untimely retirement from the brutal sport of boxing following a life-threatening injury to his brain.
Most boxers that suffer from a traumatic brain injury don?t survive but Canillas was among the lucky few and is well on his way to recovery.
?He is recovering well but needs more time,? ALA Promotions president Michael Aldguer, Canillas? handler, told Sun.Star Cebu. ?He still cannot walk and talk. It will take time before he does.?
After almost a month confined in a hospital, the 23-year-old slugger has recuperated well and was discharged just last April 16.
Canillas was rushed to the hospital by his trainers last Feb. 22 after feeling faint, following a routine sparring session at the ALA Boxing Gym.
?The doctors are saying he is well on track with his recovery. He will be given the necessary therapy to recover as soon as he will be ready,? said the young Cebuano promoter.
Canillas was confined at the Cebu Doctors? Hospital and underwent a brain surgery.
A month before Canillas? accident, another young Filipino boxer, Karlo Maquinto, suffered the same injury to the head. However, he wasn?t as fortunate and died days after his fight.
Canillas? stablemate, Z Gorres, also suffered the same deadly head injury in 2009 but was also lucky to have survived. Gorres has had a remarkable recovery and can now walk and talk.
Canillas was one of ALA Boxing Gym?s unique boxers. He was a brawler that lacked the technical aspect of the game. However, what he lacked in talent he made up for his huge heart and never-say-die attitude.
