Former boxing champ Malcolm Tunacao now ‘stable’ after surgery

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Former boxing champion Malcolm Tunacao is still confined in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Chong Hua Hospital in Cebu City but his condition has already stabilized, a close friend of the boxer says. 

The 37-year-old Cebuano boxer was brought to the hospital yesterday morning after he was allegedly hacked with a bolo by his 39-year-old long-time girlfriend, Jessica Grace Tiu, who is now detained at the Police Precinct 5 in Barangay Opao, Mandaue City.

The incident happened inside the couple’s home, located in Purok Tambis, Barangay Umapad in Mandaue City.

The friend, who declined to be named, said that Tunacao underwent surgery for wounds to his head Wednesday, September 16 which lasted for approximately 6 hours and concluded near midnight.

Tunacao was hacked in several parts of his body but his head got the worst of it. He also suffered hack wounds in his back and arms.

According to news reports, the couple had an argument and apparently slept on it. When Tiu woke up in the morning, she allegedly attacked the still sleeping Tunacao.

Police Officer 3 Juanito Alquirar Bulahan told Rappler Wednesday that the motive was “jealousy” over an alleged affair Tunacao had with another woman.

(READ: Boxing champ Tunacao stabbed ‘many times’ in domestic dispute – police)

The friend said that Tunacao is conscious although he cannot speak yet because of tubes attached to his mouth.

“He is better now. When I speak to him he nods his head. We communicate by sign language. Unlike yesterday he was totally blacked out, he just opens his eyes and had seemed very restless,” the friend added.

The friend cannot also confirm if Tunacao was paralyzed as had been reported by other news outlets.

Meanwhile, Tunacao’s daughter Sharalyn, declined to be interviewed but has confirmed that frustrated murder charges have been filed against Tiu today.

Tunacao, whose record stands at 35-3-3 (20 knockouts) won the WBC flyweight title in 2000, avenging Manny Pacquiao’s loss to Thai Medgoen Singsurat before losing it the following year. Tunacao last fought in September of 2014. – Rappler.com