Philippines, 18 Sep 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


WBC cites Pinoy ‘Heroes of Humanity’


PhilBoxing.com




The World Boxing Council (WBC) paid tribute to Sen. Manny Pacquiao, GAB chairman Baham Mitra, referee Bruce McTavish, referee Robert Bridges and lightweight contender Mercito Gesta as “Heroes of Humanity” for their “acts of selfless heroism in these challenging times” in a three-month process of selection that ended last July 31.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman and WBC international secretary/WBC Cares chairperson Jill Diamond kicked off the nominations by choosing Pacquiao, WBC/WBO superlightweight champion Jose Carlos Ramirez, former WBA/IBF superlightweight titlist Amir Khan, former WBC superbantamweight, WBC featherweight, WBC superfeatherweight and WBC superlightweight ruler Erik Morales and undefeated WBC-NABF female lightflyweight queen Kim Clavel as the initial awardees last April. Pacquiao, 41, was cited for his “relentless support” for his countrymen. Clavel, a Canadian, was recognized for taking care of COVID-19 patients and the elderly as a nurse in Montreal.

The WBC gave certificates of recognition and medals to the awardees. The medals were inscribed with the words “Learn From Yesterday, Live For Today, Hope For Tomorrow” and “Thank You For Keeping The World Safe----COVID-19 2020 Hero Of The World.” There were over 220 awardees from all over the world, including Italy, Spain, USA, UK, Thailand, Albania, Russia, Ireland, Chile, Mexico and Egypt.

“This action was inspired by world champions globally but none better or more giving than Sen. Manny Pacquiao,” said Diamond. “He not only received a medal of humanity but our love and thanks and those of his countrymen. Sen. Pacquiao provides food, money and even buses for those in need. There is no greater hero and role model. He is not only a world champion but a champion of the world.”

Mitra said Pacquiao was the inspiration for the award. “The WBC recognized gallant efforts of people in boxing during this pandemic,” he said. “Giving PPEs, amounting to millions of pesos, to policemen and frontliners plus providing buses very early is surely a big gallant effort by Sen. Manny who is and will always be at the top of this list of heroes.”

Mitra, 50, was also cited. “The WBC heard of the money that GAB requested and was given by DWSD to each boxer in Luzon and nearby areas,” he said. “Of the total of 1,524 boxers, 536 were given funds. There were 336 beneficiaries from NCR who received cash assistance of P5,000. There were 116 from outside NCR who received the same amount. There were 84 who received P3,000 each. A total of 846 are scheduled for payout. The funds were given with a box of food, rice and grocery goods by DWSD.”

McTavish, 79, was surprised by the award. For 73 days up to May 31, McTavish’s family organized a daily meal delivery to the frontliners of the public Angeles City hospital. “Even our three grandchildren were happy to help in the food preparation, sometimes done at our house which was the commissary and other days at any of my siblings,” said McTavish’s wife Carmen. “We also helped some barangays surrounding Clark with many residents who are unemployed daily wage-earners. Bruce is used to walking to keep fit 6-8 kilometers a day so he’s frustrated when he’s unable to do so like now due to the barangay lockdown.”

McTavish, a naturalized Filipino from New Zealand, was also cited by Diamond for “his charitable acts with the Rotary Club and the Bahay Bata Foundation residence center for streetchildren where he is the chairman of the Board of Trustees in Angeles City.” McTavish is still active as a referee and judge with over 1,000 fights and more than 150 world title bouts in his resume.

Bridges, 46, is an American-Japanese referee and judge living in Angat, Bulacan with his Filipina wife July Abestro. He was born in Japan and moved to the US when he was five. After serving 2 1/2 years in Iraq with the US Navy, Bridges relocated to Angat in 2007. He has been a boxing judge since 2014 and a referee since 2017. During this pandemic, Bridges has spearheaded relief operations to deliver food bundles to the less fortunate in Angat. “I’m so highly honored,” said Bridges. “I dedicate this award to my family and friends who are passionate about sharing their blessings with others. Congratulations to the thousands of heroes out there who also deserve recognition for their love and dedication for keeping us safe and assisting those in need.”

Gesta, 32, was among several fighters who were cited. The others included Tyson Fury, Jaime Mungia, Miguel Cotto, Mikey Garcia, Saul Alvarez and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. The San Diego-based Cebu boxer has partnered with sponsors to give food stuff to frontliners, first responders and the needy at Kaiser Permanente Irvine, Banfield Pet Hospital in La Jolla, Kaiser Permanente Medical Offices in Bonita and the Gateway Medical Group of San Diego. Gesta was set to face undefeated Hector Tanajara in Indio, California, last July 24 but backed out the day before the weigh-in because of food poisoning. Gesta, a one-time world title challenger, has a record of 32-3-3, with 17 KOs.


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • “Thrilla” card takes shape
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Wishing Best to Jayson Vayson in his World Title Challenge!
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Vayson aims to make history
    By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • KAIPO GALLEGOS TRAINING CAMP NOTES
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Day Two of 2025 USA Boxing National Open Delivers 108 Action-Packed Bouts in Tulsa
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Bryce Mills Boxes James Bernadin At del Lago Resort & Casino On Thursday, Oct. 30, in Waterloo, NY
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Caribbean Clash Returns Friday, November 7th at Gulfstream Park Casino in Hallandale, Florida
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • VM Sotto, City Council Recognize GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • Larida is Southern Coach of the Year
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • D.C. Knockout Artist Scooter Davis Signs Promotional Contract with Top Rank
    , Thu, 18 Sep 2025
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 15 SEPTEMBER 2025: Crawford Snatches Canelo's Undisputed Crown at 168 Lbs; Inoue Defeats Akhmadliev to Retain 4 Superbantam Belts; Crocker Outpoints Donovan
    By Eric Armit, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • TICKET NEWS: EUBANK JR-BENN II ON SALE FROM THIS WEDNESDAY
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • “Night of Champions” Returns to Caribe Royale Resort in Orlando on September 19
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Canelo-Crawford: The Consolidation of Boxing’s New Commercial Empire
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • A New Era for Boxing: Canelo vs. Crawford Shatters Global Viewership Records on Netflix
    By Dong Secuya, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Crawford Not the First Lightweight to Distinguish Himself at Super Middleweight
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Kurt Scoby and Josh Popper Headline Boxing Insider Card September 19 in Times Square
    , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Green and Gold 2025: Amateur Boxing’s International Gathering in Bolivia
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 17 Sep 2025
  • Pakistan's Sameer Khan Set to Battle for UBO Youth World Title in Brico Santig’s Sep 27 Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • SAMBO Pilipinas is Southern NSA of the Year 2025
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kingsley “The Black Lion” Ibeh To headline historic “Legacy Nights” Inaugural Pro Boxing event in El Salvador
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Smarts over power
    By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR TWO-DIVISION CHAMPION RICKY HATTON
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • Kazakhstan tops the medal table at the inaugural World Boxing Championships 2025 thanks to victory in the final bout of the competition
    , Tue, 16 Sep 2025
  • THRILLA IN MANILA GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY 13: JOE FRAZIER’S HUMBLE BEGINNINGS AS AN AMATEUR FIGHTER
    By Maloney L. Samaco, , Mon, 15 Sep 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.