Philippines, 14 Jun 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Heroism shines through holiday storm


PhilBoxing.com




There was an advice, a request actually, for one joyful sports item in time for the holidays: Try something less scathing, confrontational, in keeping with the Christmas spirit.

Well, the closest event available was the farewell fight of the legendary Bernard Hopkins, 51, who picked up for a final foe the young and ferocious Joe Smith, holder of the WBA International light heavyweight crown.

Hopkins could?ve opted for an easier bout, a convenient partner for his valedictory. He instead chose to defy Father Time and the great odds. Result: He was knocked out for the first time; bludgeoned and thrown out of the ring. He landed on his head against the cement floor in the 8th round.

Hopkins was a scandal in his farewell fight?

?The Inquirer item on Bernard Hopkins was a whiff of fresh wind amid the assorted mess in our troubled Trumped world,? wrote veteran news correspondent Jun Velasco from Dagupan.

Velasco, who picked Hopkins? final fight as top sports story of the year, said it was the case of the vanquished becoming the true victor, an unsinkable hero in the middle of a killer storm.
Tributes poured in for Hopkins ?who tried what other men shouldn?t, and did what others couldn?t.?

On Monday, the day after Christmas, the annual gift-giving for humble farm families in Barangay Pangao in Lipa City was slated in Purok 4. The much-awaited event had actually been beset by the demise of two big backers, trader Peter Tanyao and vegetable magnate Romulo ?Kuya Boy? Sebreros, earlier in the year.

Preparations for the gift-giving, done for over a decade each Christmas season in a borrowed tree-lined farm house in Pangao, encountered another hitch after a big supporter lost at least P100 Million in a Quezon City bodega fire.

If it were a sports tournament, the annual charity affair for this year could?ve been postponed indefinitely or canceled.

No way, cried Dr. Bobby Magsino of the Mary Mediatrix Medical Center in Lipa. He took over like a tested sports hero. Despite the howling threat of Typhoon ?Nina? early Monday, Dr. Bobby set out to motor to the event site with hefty bags of quality meal and party goods for at least 50 families, the annual lucky beneficiaries.

Gift-giving had been set for 2:00 p.m. However, weather conditions deteriorated rapidly in the morning, thereby forcing Dr. Magsino to suggest with the main organizers that they roll with the punches by moving the event to an immediate later date.

Cash gifts have already been prepared in individual envelops. Assorted toys sent by kind and gentle Zeny Luna all the way from her workplace in California are ready for distribution.

There will be help from trader Nick Lantin, who has promised to come with master photographer Floy Reyes, true-blue Lipeno.

Dr. Ruel Reyes of San Pablo City, as in all past years, has promised to catch up with son Gio. Engineer Mar Maralit and my dear kumpadre Gerry Mayor can always be counted on, while Rene del Monte will supervise again.

So tomorrow, Thursday, it will be on with the goodwill event, rain or shine. Sincerest thanks and blessed Christmas to all of you wonderful God-loving people.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Recah Trinidad.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Oklahoma Forces 2-2 Finals Series Tie, Starves Indiana for Point in 111-104 Win
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • PROSPECTS COLLIDE OFFICIAL WEIGH-IN RESULTS
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Hitchins vs. Kambosos: Can George Be More Than A Faded Name?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Four Boxers Advance to Gold Medal Matches on Day Three of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM NEW YORK: HITCHINS - 140 LBS., KAMBOSOS - 139.4 LBS.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Gaviola to face Narukami in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Pacquiao Steps Up Training
    By Dong Secuya, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Balla stops Cabalquinto in 4th round
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Eight-year-old Marius Constante sweeps 5-round chess fest in Cebu
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Promoter Sampson Lewkowicz and Top Lightweight Contender Edwin De Los Santos Part Ways Amicably
    , Sat, 14 Jun 2025
  • Unification WBA & IBA Pro title fight Albert Batyrgaziev vs James Dickens to crown boxing show in Istanbul on 2 July
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • How the Ring's P4P Ranking Has Strayed from the Norms of Nat and Nigel
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES FROM HITCHINS VS. KAMBOSOS JR
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • MOST VALUABLE PROMOTIONS UNVEILS REMAINING PRELIMINARY CARD BOUTS FOR JAKE PAUL VS. JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR.
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Jean Henri Lhuillier: Leading Philippine Softball’s Unstoppable Rise to International Dominance
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Team USA Sends Seven Boxers to the Medal Rounds Thursday at World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Jerusalem, Taduran 1-2 at Minimumweight; Llover Enters Bantam in Ring's Latest Ratings
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • July 26: Rohan Polanco-Quinton Randall Welterweight Showdown Tops Xander Zayas-Jorge Garcia Undercard at The Theater at Madison Square Garden
    , Fri, 13 Jun 2025
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimàn: Weekend at the International Boxing Hall Of Fame
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Nonito Donaire to fight again, faces Campos on June 14
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Cabalquinto Set to Face Australian Balla on Maniatis Card
    , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Rene Camacho, Jajaira Gonzalez Capture Wins on Day One of World Boxing Challenge Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem 2025
    , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • COLLISION COURSE IN THE COACHELLA VALLEY! FLORES VS. CHAVEZ TO HEADLINE JULY 24 EDITION OF GOLDEN BOY FIGHT NIGHT
    , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Indiana Sets Pace Again in 116-107 Win over OKC; Takes 2-1 Series Lead at Home
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025
  • Cabalquinto to fight in Australia on June 13
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 12 Jun 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.