Vincent Bongailas was born in Cospicua in 1964. At the age of 15, he fought his first unofficial organized fight on the roof of his residence - and won. He had always been fascinated by the sport and decided from the onset that he would approach it with all professionalism. Only 17, he moved to the UK and trained for 4 years with Westham Boys Boxing Club. Working against all odds, Bongailas climbed the ladder of success until, at the age of 20, he became the first, professional Maltese boxer.
In 1988 Bongailas trained in Italy with Salvatore Olivieri who became his personal trainer and promoter. In 1990, in San Remo, Italy, he won by technical knockout in the 8th round against Tedd Metuci, thus earning a placing in the 1st class category allowing him to prepare for the Super Welter European Title. In the same year, in the WBC/WBO boxing exhibition held in Italy, he won with a knock-out in the 6th round against another ex-world champion, the American Mike George Thomas. This placed him 22nd in the Professional Boxing Super Welter Category. His achievements, both locally and on the international scene, were instrumental in gaining popularity for the sport which had previously been generally viewed with disdain.
Boxing was not to be Bongailas’s only passion. As an adolescent, and at the same time that he was sparring in Saturday fights, he happily participated in the town’s religious activities, initially as altar boy and later as singer and musician in the local parish choir. Concurrently with his boxing training, Bongailas attended classes in guitar-playing for a short period but long enough for him to realize that music was as important to him as boxing.
The guitar became his companion during his boxing career. He played with famous Maltese celebrities, then joined and formed local bands. However, true to his philosophy that an artist should perform original numbers, he started composing his own music and lyrics in Maltese and English. He recorded albums in Malta, and abroad.
In 1995, at the peak of his boxing career, Bongailas reluctantly decided to stop participating in organized boxing matches and to dedicate his time to train youngsters in the sport that had given him so many glorious moments. He also organized and participated in several fund-raising marathons to support people with disability. He finally hung up his boxing gloves in
1994.
Vince Bong(AILAS) is still very active in the music industry.