One month ago in Panama City, WBA Executive Vice President Gilberto Jesus Mendoza Jr. was near death after suffering a surprise heart attack. “I thank God for giving me a chance to continue in this life,” said Mendoza, who says the close call has not only changed his personal life, but has also strengthened his resolve to improve the human condition for boxers. “I want to revisit the issue of safety of the boxer in the ring,” he said. “And we must seek methods to have a better life after retirement.” The 40-year-old WBA exec also hopes to get the doctor’s OK to continue his well known charity boxing exhibitions with the sports superstars in October’s scheduled “WBA KO to Drugs” event in Panama City. “It has become a habit,” he says. “And we do it so the money can be sent to foundations who contribute their effort to society.”