Edwin Palacios returns home after great suffering

A year ago, Nicaraguan boxer Edwin Palacios, embarked upon a trip that he believed would bring about a different course in his career and in his life.

With a small suitcase, Edwin left his homeland to try his luck in Spain leaving his children, his wife, his family, his friends and his then manager, former champion Rosendo Alvarez, never imagining what was to come.

Full of hopes  and with the promise of making “good” money, Edwin gradually believed in the offers made by Mr. José García, who for a long time had been looking for him to convince him that Spain was his best opportunity, because there he would fight at least once a week. He would have guaranteed lodging and food, but above all, the purses  were so good that he could easily raise a considerable amount of money to return to Nicaragua.

For Edwin, his family is the engine  of his life and thinking about that promise he made to his wife to provide a home for her and their children, he crossed the continent, convinced that from that moment his luck would change. What he had dreamed of was going to materialize very soon.  However, this illusion was broken almost from the moment he stepped on to Spanish soil, everything that had been promised to him turned out to be a lie and that’s where the real fight began, SURVIVING!

Just like him, many fighters from Nicaragua had believed in José García’s promises, but their fate had been the same. All of them were exploited, fighting for ridiculous payments when Jose actually collected real decent profits. They had a poor diet, no medical attention and were almost living on their own.

Things got even worse, when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Spain, stopping all boxing activities and everyday life in general. At this point, Edwin and his other companions were left alone, Mr. José completely detached himself from them without caring about their fate.

For Edwin these were the most difficult months of his life. He  did not have money, work, food, a secure roof and to complete the misfortune, he was ill.

Desperate and with all the doors closed in Spain, Edwin could only think of one man, a friend who would not fail him, so regretting leaving him like this, Edwin contacted the great former champion Rosendo Álvarez, who no matter what happened , immediately gave all his support to the fighter, reassured him and promised that before the end of the year he would be back and while that was happening he would help him financially.

At Rosendo’s suggestion, Edwin also contacted the President of the WBC, Mr. Mauricio Sulaiman, who, upon learning of what happened, also offered his full support.

Relatively little time passed, but Edwin remained on his feet, holding out a little longer, already certain that there was someone helping him and that it was only a matter of time before he returned home.

Thus, on October 29, Edwin took the first available flight that the WBC found to return to Nicaragua; However, and although everything seemed to be going well, the fighter was stranded for a week in El Salvador, since his Covid test had expired. After some steps and thanks to the intervention of members of the WBC including Carlos Villatoro, Gabriel González, Ernesto de Saro and Mr. Sulaiman himself, Edwin was able to take a new test and travel, finally on November 5, to his native Nicaragua.

His loving wife was already waiting for him at the airport, who received him full of gratitude.

At this point, and with emotions overflowing, Edwin has no words to describe the gratitude he has for each of the people who made his return possible, because as he himself said, THEY SAVED ME! And they returned him home to the people he loves so much and who love him so much.

With a full heart, Edwin stated:

“My only wish was to go home, to be with my children, my wife, my family. The people who really love and care about me. I left full of illusions, and what I got in return was hell; However, I confirmed that there are still good people in this world, who are willing to help those who need it most without asking for anything in return, such as the champion Rosendo Álvarez and Mr. Mauricio Sulaiman. Thanks for them I am back in my country and I will be eternally grateful. Today I never tell you that the World Boxing Council is not just an organization, it is a BIG FAMILY. BIG Thanks .”