Philippines, 19 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Column -- Triple G and the missing sportswriter


PhilBoxing.com




CHICAGO -- When Boss Dong Secuya decided to green light my request to attach an NBA page to his world-famous PhilBoxing.com website back in April 2011, Nicholai Rhiz Roska was the first writer I recruited to join our stable.

Nick, a Los Angeles denizen by way of Capitol, Cebu City, covered the Los Angeles Lakers and the NBA teams that visited Staples Center.

A U.P. High alum with a soaring flair for words, Nick eventually spread his literary wings and flew joyfully onward to NBA.com Philippines and SPIN.ph as a contributor, two equally reputable sites where I also happened to serve separately as U.S. editor.

Nearly two years ago though, after covering the 2018 NBA All-Star Game in his L.A. backyard, Nick mysteriously disappeared, never again to surface at Staples Center or any NBA arena near you.

As it turned out, Nick was leading a double life.

Outside of the playing field, he was actually a registered nurse. Happily married to Kathleen Maye and doting father to their little princess --- Katareena Roska.

More family time beckoned, so Nick had to reluctantly surrender his NBA credentials. Nick is also pursuing a lifelong dream of being a pilot and is close to getting his license.

From sports scribe to wearing scrubs to being captain of the skies.

Life is beautiful.

Early today, though, with some disposable time on his hands on a gorgeous Sunday morning in the city of angels, Nick meandered over to the MG Studio downtown for a Manchester United event.

A lifelong soccer fan who had worshiped at the altar of Man U since 1995, Nick went to the venue with the urgency of a bank robber being chased by the wailing sirens of three police cars.

Once he got to the shindig, he met a fellow diehard, who happens to be one of the greatest boxers who ever lived, the three most dangerous letters in boxing.

G.G.G.

Gennady Gennadyevich Golovkin.

Triple G.

"He was exceedingly nice. As welcoming as our parish priest," Ncik told PhilBoxing.com.


Trip G (R) poses with former Philboxing writer Nick Roska.

As if his Sunday couldn't get any better, the event served free unlimited adult beverages to go along with carne asada, tacos, fish and chips.

Unfortunately, Nick is a disciplined vegetarian who is partial to quinoa and leaves, and has renounced all things alcoholic.

Even without the booze and the wretched excess of fried treats, though, Nick Roska, a once upon a time sportswriter, had a Sunday to remember.

EDITOR's NOTE: The Chicago-based author is a regular columnist at SPIN.ph. He began his career as a newspaper reporter in 1993. He is the former U.S. editor of NBA.com Philippines and is currently the U.S. editor of Sports on Air. Sayson, who considers boxing a first love and basketball a beloved mistress, also has a regular NBA segment at "Power and Play with Kom Noli " hosted by former PBA Commissioner Noli Eala every Saturdays at Radyo Singko FM.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Alex Bray Set for WBA Continental Latin American Title Clash February 20 in Orlando
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Bruiser’ Rozicki Calls out Jai Opetaia
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • BREAKING NEWS: DAZN AND MATCHROOM BOXING SIGN NEW FIVE-YEAR DEAL
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 75 climbers start trekking to Mt. Apo today
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • 4 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Erik Morales Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Thu, 19 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES: Dainier Pero Locked In Ahead of WBA Continental USA Title Defense in Orlando
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • A Milestone Birthday: Celebrating Brico Santig's 50 Years of Dedication, and Triumph
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • PH bet Chezka Centeno finishes 2nd in Florida
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • ARNOLD BARBOZA JR. AND KENNETH SIMS JR. SET FOR HIGH-STAKES CLASH IN CAN’T-MISS MAIN EVENT ON DAZN
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • CALLUM SMITH VS DAVID MORRELL MEGA FIGHT SET FOR APRIL 18 IN LIVERPOOL AS PAT BROWN HEADLINES IN HIS HOMETOWN ON APRIL 3
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Youth High Performance Selection Camp Attendees Announced
    , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • Rapid chessfest gets underway February 22
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 18 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 16 FEBRUARY 2026: Ajagba, Dzambekov, Ruiz Register Stoppage Wins in Zuffa Event
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Mexican government and WBC join forces to create mega-project “Boxing for Peace”
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • All eyes on GM Johan-Sebastian Christiansen in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • WBC Champion Mario “El Azteca” Barrios Locked in for Ryan Garcia Showdown February 21 at T-Mobile Arena
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Dana White mocks traditional boxing promoters: "No contest, it's like hitting babies"
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • LEIGH WOOD OUTLINES PLAN OF ATTACK FOR SOLD OUT REMATCH AGAINST JOSH WARRINGTON
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Cain Velasquez released from a California State prison
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Patrick Rivera wins Pacman's Cue Club 10-Ball Tournament; pockets P100,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Undefeated Brooklyn heavyweight Pryce Taylor Fighting again in Detroit this Sunday on Claressa Shields’ card
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • TRAINING CAMP NOTES Gabriela Tellez Ready to Make a Statement This Friday in Orlando
    , Tue, 17 Feb 2026
  • Rapista wins WBC Far East Silver super flyweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade-Arca faces tough competition in Manny Pacquiao International Open dubbed as 87th Kalilangan Chess Festival 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 16 Feb 2026
  • Efe Ajagba vs Charles Martin: Zuffa Heavyweights Square Off on Sunday
    By Chris Carlson, , Sun, 15 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.