Castroverde fights on for family

Despite losing his ring comeback following a long layoff, Cebuano prospect Jerry Castroverde will continue to do everything, as a fighter and as a trainer in Japan, for his family.

“I will continue working here. If my boss gives me a fight, I’ll fight. I want to do everything for my family,” Castroverde told SunStar Cebu.

The 21-year-old Castroverde fought an eight-rounder last Dec. 22 and lost by a unanimous decision to Japan-based Korean Tae Il Atsumi at the Edion Arena in Osaka, Japan.

All three judges had the 25-year-old Atsumi ahead with scores of 80-73, 80-74 and 78-75,

“I admit that after the weighin my stomach was very painful, probably because of what I ate,” said Castroverde. “It was only dextrose because I really couldn’t eat.”

He, however, didn’t make his condition the reason for his loss.

Castroverde showed his courage and determination, fought on, and finished the fight up on his feet.

“My manager told me that I should fight at least one round because it would be a huge problem if I pulled out of the fight. Fortunately, my opponent rarely threw punches to my body because if he did, I would have surrendered,” said Castroverde, who once fought under the Omega Boxing Gym banner.

Castroverde dropped 10-5 with five knockouts, while Atsumi improved to 15-2 with seven knockouts.

“Aside from being a trainer here, I train as a boxer every Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday after my duty from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Tuesday’s and Thursday’s, I’m a full-time trainer,” said Castroverde. /