Rogelio "Roger" Fortaleza, former secretary-general of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP), passed away Thursday morning, March 24, due to a lingering illness.
He was 62.
Roger was a member of the famed Fortaleza boxing brothers including Ricardo, Reynaldo, and Reynato.
They were known for being part of the famed FEU boxing team back in the 70s.
As a boxer, Roger's career was highlighted by a silver medal in the 1977 Southeast Asian Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Roger also bagged silver in the 5th ASEAN Amateur Boxing Championships in 1979.
He also became the first Filipino AIBA 3-star referee-judge and a former sports coordinator in the Philippine Sports Commission.
ABAP president Ed Picson said the entire boxing community "mourns the death of a dedicated boxing man and a good friend."
Roger is survived by wife Rosemarie and children Renzanne, Reygel, and Edrian.