Talk about a frustrating day for a boxing photo buff like myself!
I usually go to the Wildcard Gym on Wednesdays which is my day-off, but today, I had a patient who called to re-schedule his appointment. I ask my receptionist not to fill up the slot and I used the time to go to the Wildcard and meet with a Filipina amateur boxer and perhaps see Manny Pacquiao spar a few rounds.
As soon as I got to the parking lot, I met Bobby Pacquiao, Ernel Fontanilla and Gerry Penalosa. Almost collectively, they said:- “Doc Ed you just missed it. Manny knock down his sparring partner and no one was there to take a picture”. Pacquiao apparently knocked down a decent Lebanese boxer named Shaddi who sports a 9-0 record. For a photo buff like me, that was a missed opportunity that will never come back. Darn!
At any rate, in spite of the missed photo opportunity, the day was not a total lost. I met with the Filipina boxer. Her name is Ana “ The Hurricane” Julaton. Ana is the #4 rated woman amateur featherweight in the USA. Ana is not exactly unknown in the greater Filipino community in the US and the Philippines. She has previously been featured at the Manila Bulletin and many local papers in the northern California area. She has been honored during the annual Filipino American Centennial Parade in the bay area for her accomplishments which tout her as the female Manny Pacquiao.
Ana’s greatest dream is to fight at the Olympics. Would it not be great if the Philippine boxing people take the opportunity to get Ana to box for the Philippines? With her skills and determination, she will be a good bet to take the first gold medal in the Olympics for the Philippines. I am betting, if there is really an interest in our boxing community in the Philippines, Julaton can readily be given dual citizenship rights. With that she can fight for the Philippines.
The following are links for those interested in knowing more about Ana Julaton:
http://www.kron4.com/global/category.asp?c=86474
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