By Ray Andres, Balita August 31, 2011 Los Angeles
LAS VEGAS - After chalking up 52 fights with 34 wins, seven of them by knockouts, and drawing three and losing 15, the former boxer finally hung up his gloves to open a new chapter in his life. All along the bumpy and sometimes "bloody" rides in his boxing career, the Negros Occidental- born Rolando Bohol took the oft-traveled path which he had all the time mapped out in his head - to get an education - a move that paved the way for his other career. Already in possession of the vital qualities necessary to become successful, Rolando put into motion the twin virtues of hard-work and discipline in his path to being an entrepreneur.
The Las Vegas - based soft-spoken southpaw, who was born on Christmas day, got his training from the University of Phoenix and is now the president and owner of 24-hour shopping network that deals on luxury watches, jewelry, computers and a host of other popular items. Now, Rolando's world evolves around his computer and his work at a local hotel for good measure.
The former champ showed interest in sports at age 12 as a kung fu fighter until an uncle encouraged him to take up boxing instead. At local boxing fight events which the locals call "kalye tae vs. kalye igit" in the vernacular, Rolando learned that the road to fame was paved with sweat and blood literally.
His formal boxing career started at the Himamaylan High School and then the Palarong Pambansa, a government grassroots sports project intended to ferret out athletes in the Philippines' quest for Olympic gold.
His successful amateur career spanned 42 fights. He turned professional in 1984 while still a second year college student at the Far Eastern University in Manila. He trained under the wings of another boxing great and International Boxing Hall of Famer, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde, a southpaw like him.
He won the International Boxing Federation (IBF) World Flyweight championship title on January 16, 1988, by defeating Chang-Ho Choi via a split decision in Manila. He defended his title successfully by defeating another Korean, Cho Woo Park. Duke Mckenzie ended his winning streak on Oct. 5 of the same year when he was stopped on the 11th round.
Recalling his boxing career, Bohol said that victories and defeats make up one's life and sent a strong message to the current crop of boxers and those contemplating in joining the sport to "train their sights further the horizon" and get themselves an education too. "Education is something personal and the possessor of knowledge owns it forever," he said, a proper advise from the who's "literally" gone through the ropes.
http://www.rolandobohol.com/admin/id78.html
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