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AFTER THE FALL OF PHL BOXING'S FRONTLINERS, INTRODUCING THE SECOND STRINGERS POISED TO TAKE OVER THE SHOW By Dong Secuya PhilBoxing.com Wed, 17 Apr 2013  Nobody expected it really, but the Philippines' cr?me de la cr?me, who carried Philippine boxing the past several years, fall one by one. First Filipino boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, lay on the canvas flat on his face courtesy of an incredible one punch knockout administered by long time rival Juan Manuel Marquez one second before the end of the 6th round in front of a shocked full house crowd and millions of TV viewers from around the world on that fateful night of December 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Then the resurgent Brian Viloria, who many believed should be on the top ten pound for pound list after his impressive knockout victories over former world champions Giovanni Segura, Omar Ni?o Romero and Hernan 'Tyson' Marquez, was waylaid by Juan Francisco Estrada at the Cotai Arena at The Venetian Hotel & Casino in Macau last April 6. Then last Saturday in New York's historic Radio City Music Hall, Nonito Donaire, Jr., unbeaten the last 12 years, 2012 BWAA Fighter of the Year and on the verge of becoming boxing's No. 1 pound for pound fighter on the planet known for his excellent boxing skills and power in both hands, succumbed to the boxing wizardry displayed by two time Olympic gold medalist from Cuba Guillermo Rigondeaux and lost by 12 round unanimous decision. The stars fell on Philippine boxing firmament and a massive dark swath covered the horizon. But like in the battlefield, if a General falls, it necessitates anointing another soldier to lead the war. So who among the Philippines' second stringers are able to fill the gigantic shoes left by the trio of Pacquiao, Viloria and Donaire? There may be none. Or any or all of the three fallen soldiers will rise again. But it's also possible that out of nowhere a new star will emerge. So let's see who are the most likely candidates. 
Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes (31-1-4, 17KO) Nietes is world champion in two weight divisions (WBO minimumweight and WBO light-flyweight) and hasn't been dethroned since winning the WBO minimumweight title on September 30, 2007. He is currently the third longest running world champion in Philippine history at 5 years and 7 months and is making a run to overtake Jesus Salud's record of 6 years and 11 months (WBA super featherweight) and Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde's record of 7 years and 3 months (WBC super featherweight). Nietes last fought on March 2 this year to defend his WBO light flyweight title against Mexico's Moises Fuentes, the current WBO minimumweight champion. Nietes retained his title after a majority decision draw. Nietes, who won most of his defenses by passive decisions, needs a defining fight to crack into the consciousness of mainstream boxing aficionados. That defining fight could come against Nicaragua's undefeated knockout artist Roman Gonzalez (34-0-0, 28KO), the WBA light-flyweight title holder. However, there is talk that Nietes will rematch with Moises Fuentes in July. Whatever the case it will be an uphill climb for the unassuming Nietes to carry the cudgels of Philippine boxing. 
Johnriel 'Quadro Alas' Casimero (18-2-1, 10KO) Casimero was thrust into the mainstream boxing consciousness after a riot broke out in his match with Luis Alberto Lazarte of Argentina for Lazarte's IBF light-flyweight title held at Lazarte's hometown at Mar del Plata in Buenos Aires on Feb. 10, 2012 which Casimero won via 10th round TKO. The video of the riot, which saw Casimero hiding under the ring, was broadcast all over the world and garnered close to a million hits on YouTube as well as being investigated at the halls of Philippine Senate. Since then, Casimero had successfully defended the title two times, against Mexican Pedro Guevarra in Sinaloa on Aug. 4, 2012 and against Luis Alberto Rios of Panama in Panama last March. Casimero, like most counterpunchers, fights rather dull in long stretches especially if his opponent does not engage, and is a hard sell even in his own country. Casimero needs to adopt an entertaining style to capture the imagination of boxing aficionados, otherwise, it would be difficult for him to take the reins of Philippine boxing. 
Merlito 'Tiger' Sabillo (21-0-0, 11KO) Sabillo captured the WBO Interim Minimumweight Title by defeating Colombia's Luis de la Rosa in Cerete, Columbia last March 9. Moises Fuentes is the regular champion, but it is only a matter of time before Fuentes formally vacates his title especially if he will rematch Donnie Nietes in July for the light-flyweight title. What Sabillo lacks in boxing skill as he rose thru the professional ranks, he compensated with his never say die attitude. And now that he is being taught the intricacies and the finer points of the sweet science under the ALA Gym, he may yet develop into a formidable force in the lower weight classes. Sabillo is relatively still untested and needs to fight named and formidable opponents to shine but definitely he has the potential to become a future star. 
Milan 'El Metodico' Melindo (29-0-0, 12KO) Melindo is the WBO mandatory challenger to Brian Viloria's flyweight title since last year and Viloria's loss to Estrada last April 6 in Macau simplified a lot of things for Melindo. For one, Melindo's handlers were spared of the trouble of negotiating with Viloria's camp since Viloria himself didn't show interest to fight with Melindo. Melindo won an impressive 4th round TKO victory over Indonesian Asia-Pacific champion Tommy Seran on the Viloria-Estrada / Zou Shiming undercard in Macau sending the rugged Indonesian to the canvas three times in front of Top Rank's Bob Arum and the Chinese fans. Viloria's loss is Melindo's gain and with Donaire's loss last Saturday, it seemed the stars are aligned for Melindo to shine. Arum has tentatively set a July 27 date for another card in Macau to be headlined by Zou Shiming once more, and the Estrada-Melindo title fight could most likely land on HBO. If Melindo wins impressively against Estrada as he confidently thinks he can, just like he totally dominated Carlos Tamara after Tamara beat Viloria in 2010, then Melindo could become the new toast of Philippine boxing by August. Of course the other possibility may also hold true ? if Melindo fails to deliver and will lose ugly against Estrada, we may have another AJ Banal moment on the horizon. 
Denver 'The Excitement' Cuello (33-4-6, 21KO) Cuello holds the WBC Silver Minimumweight Title and is the mandatory challenger to WBC Minimumweight champion Xiong Zhao Xong. Cuello has been set to fight for the vacant WBC minimumweight title against Mexico's Javier Martinez Resendiz but gave way to China's Xiong who defeated Resendiz. Due to politics or bad luck or both, Cuello is still waiting for his turn to fight for the WBC minimumweight title. If and when he finally fights for a title, expect 'The Excitement' to shine. 
Froilan 'The Sniper' Saludar (16-0-1, 11KO) Saludar holds the WBO Asia-Pacific regional belt and is highly ranked in all the four major alphabet organizations in the Flyweight division. He is ranked No. 2 flyweight by the WBO next to Melindo. He is ranked No. 3 by the IBF and since No. 1 and 2 are vacant, he should be next in line against IBF flyweight champion Moruti Mthalane. On paper, Saludar has an impressive record but has yet to face a real formidable opponent. His handlers are said to be positioning him against Mthalane. His performance against Mthalane, if they ever meet, will decide his future in Philippine boxing. 
Rocky 'Road Warrior' Fuentes (34-6-2, 20KO) Fuentes currently holds the OPBF Flyweight Title and is highly rated in all 4 boxing organizations. The 10-year veteran Fuentes is ripe for a world title shot. He won his OPBF title in Japan on March 9, 2010 against Masafuni Okubo and successfully defended it four times in Japan against Japanese contenders which makes him popular in the land of the rising sun specially at the famed Korakuen Hall of Tokyo. The most logical fight for Fuentes is against WBC flyweight champion Toshiyuki Igarashi of Japan of which he is the No. 3 contender. If his stablemate Milan Melindo loses to WBA/WBO champion Juan Francisco Estrada in July, then Fuentes should challenge Estrada as he is WBA's No. 2 contender and WBO's No. 5 contender for the titles. All that of course will depend on his performance this Saturday in Davao where he will have his hands full against Mexican knockout artist Juan Kantun (20-3-3, 15KO). 
Rey 'Boom-Boom' Bautista (34-2-0, 25KO) Love him or hate him, Bautista's fighting style is what draws the crowd. His ability to knock out his opponent or getting knocked out in return is what make his fights compelling to watch, just like many aggressive fighters before him. This Saturday, Bautista, who for the first time is free from injuries, will face another Mexican in Jose Ramirez (24-3-0, 15KO), another trial horse to see if the Candijay, Bohol native is ready to face the elites of the division. Bautista is rated No. 4 at featherweight by the IBF whose champion Evgeny Gradovich of Russia (16-0-0, 8KO) recently dethroned former Australian champion Bill Dib. He is also rated No. 4 at WBO whose champion is the technically gifted Mikey Garcia. The more prudent thing to do is perhaps pursue a fight with Gradovich than a fight with Garcia whose technical prowess may eat Bautista alive. What is more explosive though is a rematch with Daniel Ponce de Leon who is now the WBC champion in the featherweight division. Whoever he fights for a title will see if Bautista, 26, is set to become a star in Philippine boxing or will be dispatch for a swift demise. 
Genesis 'Azukal' Servania (19-0-0, 7KO) The 21-year-old Servania have already registered a string of impressive victories beginning with his win against Gerson Guerrero in 2011 and followed it up with compelling wins against Marcos Cardenas, Nick Otieno, Genaro Garcia, Jorge Pazos and a TKO victory over the formidable Angky Angkota of Indonesia in his last fight. He has yet to make his mark in the world rankings however and needs a impact fight to be noticed in the world scene, probably a fight against Fernando Montiel or Vic Darchinyan. Whatever, Servania is set to figure prominently in the Philippine boxing scene in the years to come. 
Mercito 'No Mercy' Gesta (26-1-1, 14KO) Oh what a single loss can happen to a rising star's career! After a disastrous performance against Miguel Vazquez last December in Las Vegas for Vazquez's IBF lightweight title, Gesta seemed to be all lost and forgotten. Since signing with Top Rank two years ago, Gesta's star, aide by proper matchmaking and Top Rank propaganda, kept on rising and talks were abound that Gesta was on collision course with some of the biggest stars of the division including Brandon Rios. All that came crushing in when Gesta, who is more at home fighting as a counterpuncher, was paired with a runner in Vazquez, who made Gesta looked like lost in the woods of Big Bear, CA. However this is only one loss and Gesta, 25, should not be written off by anyone. He should learn from his defeat and strive to come back strong. But he should try to reinvent himself by adding more offensive repertoire to his already excellent defensive arsenal.  
Arthur Villanueva / Marco Demecillo It is rare when two up and coming Filipino fighters face each other for a title fight. But this Saturday at the USEP Gymnasium in Davao, Bacolod's Arthur Villanueva (20-0-0, 11KO) will defend his OPBF super flyweight title against another undefeated Filipino and crowd-pleasing fighter in Marco Demecillo (18-0-1, 14KO) of Iligan City which by all indications, a fight that promises to upstage the main event. Villanueva dominated Thai veteran Pramuansak Posuwan in September last year in Cebu and won the OPBF title against Taiki Eto of Japan last December in Tokyo in a slambang affair that saw Villanueva rose from the canvas two times and Eto once. Demecillo meanwhile defeated 9 of his last 10 opponents inside the distance. Whoever emerges victorious this Saturday will become a fighter to watch in Philippine boxing. Other Filipino fighters waiting on the wings or preparing for a second wind who are capable to rise for Philippine boxing: Jimrex Jaca (37-6-3, 21KO), Jason Pagara (30-2-0, 19KO), Lorenzo Villanueva (23-1-0, 21KO), Drian Francisco (24-1-1, 19KO), Michael Farenas (34-4-4, 26KO), Albert Pagara (16-0-0, 11KO), Marlon Tapales (21-2-0, 8KO), AJ Banal (28-2-1, 20KO), Bernabe Concepcion (31-6-1, 17KO), Mark Jason Melligen (23-3-0, 16KO), Sylvester Lopez (20-4-2, 15KO), Dennis Laurente (44-5-5, 25KO), John Mark Apolinario (17-2-3, 4KO), Randy Petalcorin (19-1-1, 14KO), Jundy Maraon (15-0-1, 12KO), Dennis Tubieron (15-1-1, 6KO) and Mateo Handig (13-5-0, 7KO). Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.  |
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