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Igorot Prizefighter, REY TAM

Regarded as the best boxer to ever emerge from the Cordilleras, Rey Tam fought from 1974 to 1982. In 1978 he challenged Arguello for the world title.

Just like the legend Pacquiao, Rey Tam fought in the southpaw stance

Here's a tribute poem for the boxing legend...

poem titled, "IGOROT PRIZEFIGHTER" written by Bag-iw

His prizefighter's journey may only have lasted for less than a decade. But through and ups and downs, he has left many fight fans, especially here in the highlands lots of memories to remember him by. Even the great Nicaraguan champ, the late Alexis Arguello seemed to have remembered him long after their bout in California that he even bothered to travel all the way from Managua to La Trinidad to pay homage to the Igorot prizefighter. Unfortunately, Rey Tam wasn't home when Arguello came knocking, and so he left Rey's brother a framed memento, and told them he was just passing by to say hello to his former foe.

(Photo credit: Alvin Tam)

Mountain dweller, etag eater, and I love my dog the way a white man loves his turkey on his thanksgiving day.


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