Roy Doliguez: A fighter's journey from boxing to MMA

Like many Filipino fighters, Roy Doliguez fell in love with boxing the moment he saw the sweet science on display. There was no other explanation. Doliguez started to lace them up when he was in grade four, before competing in the amateurs at 12.

Unlike plenty of fighters who ended up in professional prizefighting, Doliguez had the chance of pursuing college after graduating in high school. But instead of completing a degree, Doliguez braved traveling from Sarangani to Manila in hopes to land a job in order to help his family make ends meet.

He soon found employment -- not as a boxer but as a factory worker. As the days went by and as he became familiar with his new environment, Doliguez then found a boxing gym in the neigborhood which quickly ignited his warrior spirit once more. He would then leave the factory, try out in the gym to seek new employment as a boxing trainer, and pursue his boyhood dream of becoming a prizefighter.

And so in 2000, Doliguez fulfilled his dream of competing in the pro boxing arena, making a successful debut against Danny Lumacang at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque.

Doliguez held local and regional titles in his nine years as a pro. In 2003, he had a rare bid for a world championship when he battled Fernando Montiel for the WBO world super flyweight title, but he was knocked out in two rounds.

No savings from boxing

After 46 fights, Doliguez compiled a record of 18-19-9 with 11 knockouts.

"I wasn't able to save money from all the years I've been in boxing," Doliguez told GMA News Online.

"However, I was able to get myself a small 'squatter' house where I've been staying at for years. I was able to give money to my relatives plus our house in the province only lacks painting now. So somehow, at least, the money I made was spent somewhere."

Doliguez travelled the world as a prizefighter, and though the money seemed like a hefty amount when written on the contract, he said deductions from his team often left him with barely anything.

"I made dollars as a boxer but after many deductions from my trainer and a split of the prize money with my manager, I'm left with very little -- like $1000 after a fight abroad."

When fighting locally, Doliguez got paid the standard industry rate of P1000 ($22) per round. Knowing he couldn't live with the meager flow of income forever, he transitioned to mixed martial arts in 2011 in hopes of finding greener pasture.

"I'm making more in MMA than I had in boxing," said Doliguez. "In my first fight I was already paid P15,000 ($333) which is more than a 12-rounder pockets in boxing. In my next fight I've made P25,000 ($555), then eventually up to P45,000 ($1000). In my last fight, I made $1,600."

While the amount looks smaller at face value compared to boxing, Doliguez says he gets to keep more as a mixed martial arts fighter.

"I'm happier in MMA because they even add more money to your guaranteed purse when you win. In boxing, you get cheated all the time by your own team," said Doliguez.

"I don't have to pay a manager or a promoter in MMA. I have the option to give the trainers some money but since we are a team who helps each other out and works under the same employer, we are not under the obligation to pay up."

Brighter future

Besides money, the Filipino fighter also feels that he is a superior fighter with a bright future ahead in MMA due to his vast boxing experience.

"MMA is the entire package in fighting. I've been a boxer so the striking aspect is already mine," said Doliguez who holds a record of 6-1 in MMA. "I've learned how to fight on the ground and I can take clean hard shots because I already got used to it in boxing."

Late last month. Doliguez signed a contract to fight Dejdamrong Sor Amnuaysirichoke (4-0) for the inaugural ONE Championship world strawweight title in his ONE Championship debut on May 22 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in Singapore.

With less than 60 days to train for the fight, Doliguez knows that he's at a disadvantage but insists that the offer was too good to pass up.

"My first fight in ONE Championship is for a world title, what fighter can refuse that?"

Like Doliguez, Dejdamrong is known as a prolific striker who became a champion in Muay Thai before transitioning to mixed martial arts. Doliguez who is being pegged as the underdog by most observers, knows the fight won't be a walk in the park yet he's confident of his chances.

"To those who say I'm an underdog, I will prove them wrong," said Doliguez.

"I don't feel like an underdog at all. Yes, he's been a Muay Thai champion but we're competing in MMA. We can both strike, but what about his ground game? Can he fight me in the mat? This is mine, the fight is for me, the belt is for me."

Doliguez's fighting career has been a roller coaster ride to the point that sometimes, he can't help but think what he could have been if went to college instead of going to the capital city to find employment.

"I could have gone to college... Even now I can still go to college but my age makes me feel embarrassed to enroll," said Doliguez with a sigh.

"Back then I didn't even know what college course to take. But after everything that had happened, I realized that I actually want to study and finish college."

A grueling task is up ahead for Doliguez, but he's planning and looking much further than that. He says one day, once he has enough savings and financially secure, he will walk through the gates of a school to finally earn his long delayed college diploma.

JM Siasat is a sportswriter, a former amateur boxer, and a student of the sweet science. The resident combat sports correspondent for GMA News Online, follow @jmsiasat on Twitter or email him at jmsiasat@ymail.com.