by David P. Greisman

Retired Filipino fighter William Magahin — whose name will not be familiar elsewhere but is recognizable to boxing fans in the Philippines — was arrested Saturday for allegedly robbing a woman at knifepoint, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Magahin, 42, and a 31-year-old alleged accomplice were taken into police custody shortly afterward. They are accused of stealing a bag from a woman who had been sitting next to Magahin on a jeepney (a public transportation vehicle).

Magahin captured lesser title belts at lightweight and welterweight and also was the last person to face and defeat Filipino beltholder Rolando Navarette.

Yet after leaving the sport in 1996 (at 17-8 with 11 knockouts, according to BoxRec.com), Magahin ran into legal trouble eight years later and was jailed for robbing public transportation passengers with a knife, according to local news reports at the time.

David P. Greisman is a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Follow David on Twitter at twitter.com/fightingwords2 or on Facebook at facebook.com/fightingwordsboxing, or send questions and comments to fightingwords1@gmail.com