MANILA – He may have lost another fight in the ring but boxer Roilo Golez continued to win fans and draw inspiration as an openly gay professional pugilist.
Golez, who shares a name with a former congressman, lost to Lolito Sonsona via unanimous decision in a featherweight bout Sunday night at the Skydome in Quezon City.
“Hindi ko naman nakikitang hadlang iyong gender ko para ipagpatuloy ko ang pagbo-boxing,” Golez told Panay News. “Masaya rin ako at madami akong nai-inspire na mga tao.”
“Hindi porke member ako ng LGBT ay hindi na ako pwede mag-boxing,” he added. “May mga kontra din pero hindi ko na lang pinapansin basta nagpapakatotoo lang ako sa sarili ko.”
Just like in his previous matches, Golez was in a jovial mood on Sunday. Several times, the native of Maco, Compostela Valley would attempt to kiss Sonsona or move his hips around while in the ring.
“Showy kasi akong tao e. Saka iyong mga antics ko naman sa loob ng ring ay gusto ko lang na matuwa iyong mga boxing fans at para hindi sila ma-bore,” Golez said. “Gusto ko lang silang bigyan ng entertainment.”
“Pero ginawa ko na ang lahat (against Sonsona) pero talo pa rin tayo. Kahit na may sugat tayo sa noo ay maganda pa din ako,” he added. “Magaling itong si Lolito at pang-world class talaga.”
With the defeat, the 30-year-old Golez’s slate went down to 16-20-1, including seven stoppage wins. The former WBC Asia minimumweight champion lost 12 of his last 15 matches.
“Sa ngayon wala pa sa plano natin ang tumigil sa boxing. Ang gusto ko lang sabihin sa mga kapwa ko miyembro ng LGBT na huwag silang mahihiyang gawin iyong mga gusto nila,” said Golez./PN
