FORMER World Boxing Council international bantamweight titlist Rex Wa-o is still hoping for a call–up and return to boxing.

Since he last saw action in November 2016 where he lost via technical knock-out in the fifth round against Jeo Santisima, Wa-o became inactive in boxing and shifted as a trainer, working in China and other parts of the globe.

But the 30-year-old Tadian, Mountain Province fighter is optimistic that he will return to the ring soon.

“Sana makabalik, anytime. Pag may laban, game. Miss ko na ang boxing,” said Wa-o.

Wa-o added he was supposed to fly to England earlier this year and was invited to work as a trainer, but due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, his flight was stalled and decided to take refuge in La Trinidad, Benguet.

“Kinukuha ako nung trinain ko dati taga England, pero nagkaroon ng Covid,” added Wa-o.

Wa-o, together with more than 30 other boxers from Baguio and Benguet, recently received food packs that include five kilos of rice, two dozens eggs and grocery items as assistance from Thai philanthropist and boxing patron, Naris Singwancha.

They were the second batch of Singwangcha’s beneficiaries, all professional boxers, who could not make a living since the community lockdown started on March 17 due to Covid-19.

The 37 fighters were supposed to be included in the list of social amelioration program beneficiaries of the Department of Social Welfare and Development, coursed by the Games and Amusement Board, to assist prizefighters deprived of work due to the pandemic.

The former regional champion was primed for a ring return in October last year in La Trinidad, but Wa-o had to beg off due to some commitments outside the country.

After winning the WBC International strap in 2014, Wa-o failed to defend his title, losing to Silvester Lopez in the seventh round.

Wa-o later bounced back with a first-round knock-out of Mike Espanosa but lost to Xian Qian Wei, Takahiro Yamamoto and Santisima in his succeeding bouts.