BECAUSE of poverty, most boxers are forced to take any fight available even though they are at a disadvantage, a situation that boxers from Mandaue City?s Phil-Aust Gym often encounter.
However, with the help of a mixed-martial arts and boxing enthusiast Joeric Calisang the future of these boxers are looking brighter.
Calisang, whose main business is farming, formed Mike Boxing/Team Joeric last year to help these young boxers actually succeed in the brutal sport. The team is comprised of six pro fighters and some 20 amateurs who are being trained by the father-and-son tandem of Edcel Mike And Edmund Tu?acao.
?There has been a huge difference. In the past, we used to take any fight available even though we are at a disadvantage. Now (with the support), our boxers work harder and have something to look forward to and show good fights,? Edcel Mike, a former pro boxer himself, said in Cebuano last Wednesday night at the Cul de Sac restaurant in the Sto. Ni?o Village.
The difference of Calisang?s support both financially and morally is evident in the recent success of 22-year-old welterweight Rodel Wenceslao.
Wenceslao has a losing record of 10-11-1 with three knockouts but as of late, he has shown a lot of promise. He scored a second-round stoppage over Japanese Takamori Akita in April and then recently won the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) welterweight crown with a majority decision over dangerous veteran Weng Haya.
Changed mindset
Before that victory against Akita, Wenceslao had a woeful stretch and lost five of his six fights.
?I?m more aggressive now unlike in the past when I just took any fight. My opponents had the advantage in my past fights because it was their promotion and if the fight was close, they would always get the win. Right now it is different. I would not be a champion without boss Joeric,? said Wenceslao.
Mike Boxing/Team Joeric also has two young prospects that are worth a look –Rimon Rama and Jeffrey Stella.
Rama is 1-0 with a knockout, while Stella, a former Batang Pinoy gold medalist, is 1-0-1 with a knockout.
From boxers who just come in to collect their paychecks, they now have a purpose and a direction in their careers because of the unwavering support of Calisang.
