Philippines, 28 Mar 2024
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


KIDAPAWAN BOXERS ARE DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH


PhilBoxing.com




KIDAPAWAN CITY -- "Today is a very significant day for me because I am ending my 9 years as a governor and it was 9 years ago that we had started our amateur boxing program," the outgoing governor of North Cotabato, Manny Pi?ol, told the media the day before the "Triple Trouble" boxing event.

The good governor then went on to praise his boxers which he nurtured since they were about 8, 9 years old to become amateur medalists and then had significant wins since entering the pro league. He also praised the Cuban coach Se?or Honorato Espinosa, who had stayed in the country for a year, for honing the skills of the boxers as well as the trainers.

"And now the time has come to showcase their skills. They are a testament to the success of our endeavor in North Cotabato," Manny Pi?ol said.

"Are they really good? Have you seen these boxers fight?," veteran referee Bruce McTavish threw the question at me. I told him "Nope, I am as interested to see how these boys would perform. Let's wait and see."

A day and twelve fights later, knockout after knockout and a fine display of boxing skills, our questions had definitely been answered.

Of the twelve bouts, the Pi?ol boys had only dropped one fight and there were at least 5 fighters that shone brightly that night.

Top photo: Reynaldo Belandres.


Rommel Asenjo (L) sends Noel Rosa to the canvas.


Glenn Porras (R) tags Indonesia's Marangin Marbun with a right cross from Saturday night's contest.


Edren Dapudong (foreground) walks away from the fallen Thai Sakmanee Sitkamnanchaliaw as referee Tony Pesons readies to administer the count.


New Zealand referee Bruce McTavish waves his hands to signal the end of the bout after Indonesia's Boido Simanjuntak was flattened by local boy Glenn Gonzales (R) in the first round.


Reynaldo Belandres (L) shows too much class against Isidro Balabat to notch a shutout victory after six rounds.


5. The diminutive Rommel Asenjo (3-0 3KOs), fighting as a minimumweight, strutted the confidence of a veteran to dispose Noel Rosa in the 3rd round.

4. Glenn Porras (11-1 6KOs) badly punished Indonesia's Marangin Marbun (10-2 5KOs) with well-timed counters and combinations throughout the night to capture the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Bantamweight Title with a lopsided decision win.

3. Edren Dapudong (7-1 4KOs) only got a point for a possible 6 from the 3 judges going into the 3rd round as Thai Sakmanee Sitkamnanchaliaw (8-3), a veteran Muay Thai fighter, beat him to the draw with body and head punches. But Dapudong displayed heart by going toe to toe with the Thai and dished out his own body attack that sent the game Sitkamnanchaliaw to the canvas two times, the last one for good at 2:46 of the 3rd round. Dapudong was awarded the WBO Asia Pacific Youth Minimumweight Title.

2. Glenn "Rapid Fire" Gonzales (6-0-1 4KOs) lived up to his monicker as he hit Indonesian Boydo Simanjuntak (11-4 4KOs) with a series of 6 unanswered head blows that sent the hapless Indonesian flat on his back at 2:03 of the first round. McTavish, who refereed the contest, would later comment that Simanjuntak was already out before he hit the canvas. Rapid Fire Gonzales is now the new WBO Asia Pacific Youth Featherweight champ.

1. The night's best review however has been reserved for Reynaldo Belandres (3-0 2KOs), nicknamed 'Boy of Steel' by promoter Soc Pi?ol. There was no title at stake in the 6-round encounter against Isidro Balabat of Bohol for Belandres nor were there knockdowns during the fight. But Belandres' awesome display of ring generalship, good balance and well-timed jabs and combos on the way to a shutout victory against Balabat was like poetry of motion and had everyone praising the 20-year-old local fighter. Although Balabat had lost his last 6 fights going into last Saturday's contest with Belandres, Balabat came in to fight as he always had when he fought and lost to a veritable up and coming names in the Philippine boxing scene: Jun Eraham, Eden Sonsona, Sonny Boy Jaro, Apol Suico and Bogie Delada. Balabat also fought and lost to reigning flyweight champ Pongsaklek Wonjongkam of Thailand. McTavish said that Belandres has the potential to become a world champion especially if he fights at 108 lbs where the competition is not very strong.

Manny Pi?ol said that the next step for his boys will be a sojourn to the U.S. Pi?ol has partnered with Chicago-based Filipino-American sportsman Rolando Hiso of Chicago and the boys will hold camp and most likely will have their inaugural fights in the U.S. in the Chicago area.

It is too early to tell whether these boys will barge into the world's elite but what we can say at this point is "so far so good" and it's noteworthy to say that the Philippines, which is currently making waves in the world boxing scene largely due to the exploits of Manny Pacquiao, will not be lacking of potential stars in the short term.

Related stories:

- GONZALES, PORRAS, DAPUDONG SNATCH WBO TITLES by Salven L. Lagumbay.
- HARVEST TIME by Manny Pi?ol.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Press Conference Notes: Oscar Valdez-Liam Wilson & Seniesa Estrada-Yokasta Valle Doubleheader Set for Friday
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • WEIGHTS FROM BIG TIME BOXING USA IN DETROIT
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Undefeated Super Featherweight Contender Andres Cortes to Attend Oscar Valdez vs. Liam Wilson Fight Eyes Potential Showdown with Winner
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PACE to host FIDE chess tilt this weekend
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Preserving a Legacy: The Birth of the Philippine Boxing Historical Society
    By Dong Secuya, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Garcia vs Haney: Boxing Match or A Live Mental Break Down?
    By Ralph Rimpell, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Christian Mbilli-Mark Heffron Super Middleweight Main Event & Arslanbek Makhmudov-Junior Fa Heavyweight Battle Set for May 25 at Gervais Auto Center in Shawinigan, Canada
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • MATÍAS MAKES HOMECOMING DEFENSE AGAINST PARO ON JUNE 15
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • ‘ROCKY’ HERNANDEZ RETURNS AGAINST LUGO IN MEXICO ON MAY 11
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • PCAP: Cavite eyeing to bounce back
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • HALL OF FAMER ANN WOLFE TO ATTEND 2024 HALL OF FAME WEEKEND
    , Thu, 28 Mar 2024
  • Gathering of champions
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Filipinos AJ Paciones and Ador Torres Make Weight for Title Fights in Highland Boxing Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Visiting Teams All Won vs Hosts; Boston Finally Loses
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Lukas to face undefeated Jaiklom on March 30 in Bangkok
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sulaiman leaves Manila with fond memories
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Montano to Fight for WBO Oriental Welterweight Title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • JOSE RAMIREZ AND VERGIL ORTIZ JR. HOST FRESNO PRESS CONFERENCE
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Joseph Adorno-Nicholas Walters Weigh-In Results
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Oscar Valdez and Sergio Rodriguez Give Back to Local Phoenix Children Ahead of Friday's ESPN+-Streamed World Title Doubleheader
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • “Granite Chin Box Off” to launch May 11th 4-fighter, 1-night super middleweight tournament
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Starling Castillo Ready For Jesus Saracho After Linking Up With Bob Santos
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Blair "The Flair" Cobbs Joins Forces with Coach Justin Gamber
    , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Cutiyog sweeps Imus tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024
  • Sarcon beats Huang by UD
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 27 Mar 2024




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2024 philboxing.com.