Victor Burgos has never been one to give in to adversity. The former flyweight champion overcame numerous hardships before eventually winning a world title. "He had a rough life but made something good of out of nothing," said Thompson Boxing executive Alex Camponovo, who's known the fighter for years. "He was an orphan. His father got run over in a family dispute. He was living in the streets of Mexico City and then he moved to T.J. (Tijuana). He was an alcoholic early on but he turned it all around. He was fighting for his daughters. He was a true warrior, no question."
 
Burgos began his professional career one month shy of his 19th birthday in February, 1993. He didn't exactly start on an illustrious note, losing his first 4 bouts -two of them by first round knockout. "El Acorozado" persevered and developed into a solid pro, eventually capturing the IBF flyweight title and defending it twice before a May 2005 loss to Will Grigsby.
 
He's now facing different battles. The fighter continues to recover from career-ending injuries suffered during a knockout defeat to Vic Darchinyan in Carson, California, last year, as well as mounting medical costs. Burgos underwent emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his brain after losing consciousness after the bout. He was eventually released from the hospital, and went back to his native Mexico.
 
"He lives in T.J. He goes to Chula Vista (a suburb of San Diego) every day to do his physical therapy," Camponovo said. "We understand that was where he's having most of his financial trouble cause it costs a lot. There's no insurance that's covering him; there's nothing for him."  In attendance in California on Saturday, Burgos speech was weak and he was able to walk under his own power but needed some help as he got close to the ring.
 
To help alleviate some of the medical costs, a donation was made to the ex-champ at Saturday night's "Night of Champions" boxing dinner show in Orange, California.  A video highlight reel showed clips from Burgos's 2004 win over Fahlan Sakkreerin before the fighter was presented with a grant check from promoter Ken Thompson.
 
It was a touching moment for all present, as the ex-champ, dressed smartly in a brown suit, slowly walked to the ring for the presentation while he received a standing ovation. You sensed you were a part of a something special, as once again Victor Burgos has defied the odds.
 
"The way his career ended was unfortunate, and its miraculous he's here today. Anybody thought that was it for him," Camponovo said.
 
Camponovo said fans that wish to make a donation to Victor Burgos could do so through Thompson Boxing. The promotion has solid ties with the Burgos clan as the promoters of nephew Juan Carlos Burgos.
 
"We're close with the Burgos camp because of a connection with Juan Carlos," he said. "His manager Roberto Sandoval works very closely with us. He's the one who's actually taking care of him even though he's retired."
 
"If there's any interest, we'll immediately create a fund."

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