HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) – A Houston boxing legend and his wife have been fighting for the fight of their lives for the past 12 months.
Maurice Watkins, better known as Termite, a former professional boxer and legend from Houston signed COVID-19 a year ago.
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“It’s hard to believe it’s been a full year,” said his wife, Cindy. “It’s been a full year, but I still remember all the details. It was the fight of his life and it was the fight of my life to pray him through him.”
Watkins was in the hospital for a month. He said he remembered calling his wife from the hospital to tell her he was about to use a ventilator.
“I remember going there and calling her,” Watkins said. “And I thought it would be the last time I talked to her.”
As the great fighter he is, Watkins fought the disease that has killed thousands, including some of his close friends.
“It’s almost like you’re covering up with something and gasping for breath,” he said of having the virus.
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After his discharge from the hospital, Watkins lost his job. Shortly afterwards his mother died.
Cindy contracted COVID-19 11 months after Watkins contracted the virus.
“He almost died,” said Cindy of her husband. “He was in the vent for 18 days and in the hospital for 30 days. So I was worried. I didn’t mean to make it that bad.”
They said they saw through their faith and love for one another.
“We learned from it,” said Cindy. “We appreciate things much better and are so grateful.”
“I look forward to waking up in the morning,” said Termite. “I wish everyone could feel that way.”
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