LOOKS like there?s a new player in Philippine boxing and I must say it couldn?t have come at a better time.
Well, new isn?t exactly the correct term as IPI?s Omega Boxing Gym has been around for quite some and has already produced a world champion in Johnreil Casimero.
However, Omega Pro Sports International has been designated as its sports production and marketing entity tasked with propagating its rejuvenated boxing program.
To ensure its success, it has recruited key personalities to form part of its team and has partnered with corporate giants Hyundai and Harley Davidson to give it some gravitas.
LAUNCH. At the press conference the other day, presented were Chad Ca?ares as vice president of the new corporate entity, while Dr. Rhoel Dejano was designated as the sports conditioning coach, honored with the unenviable task of ensuring its fighters are in proper condition.
I say unenviable as the words ?unlearn? and ?bad habits? were thrown in during the discussion, but I profusely agree that this perennial infirmity that besets some of our fighters has to be addressed.
I compared notes with the good doctor and he offered some ideas that appeared sound and sensible.
Ca?ares was formerly affiliated with ALA Promotions as executive assistant and cut his teeth in the country?s premiere boxing outfit.
As vice-president, Ca?ares is practically the fulcrum of this endeavor and he has his work cut out for him if this ambitious undertaking is to succeed.
FRESH. This Last Rounder welcomes this development and I?m sure the hordes of boxing fanatics share the sentiment.
Truth be told, embarking on a truly sustainable boxing program is an ambitious project and time and again we have seen players in the industry come and go.
At first they arrive and announce their intentions with much fanfare, complete with the requisite pompous and glitzy celebration.
But then after some sparsely attended fight cards and a few cancelled ones, we then read about their flagship fighters getting injured or worse, moving on to bigger and better things.
In this situation, the lack of depth becomes apparent, and with no crowd drawer to lean on, the promotions outfit decides to bail, leaving us wondering where all the rhetoric went.
IPI. In Omega?s case, we have reason to believe this might not be the case with IPI?s corporate juggernaut and logistical support behind it.
The Castillo family?s solid business track record is basically an unwavering assurance of a solid engine behind the endeavor, one that will not sputter once it encounters rough seas.
Now it?s up to the boxers to do their share.
VERBATIM ? Had Silva been clean all along, he would have the confidence and peace of mind to say all along that no, I?m Anderson Silva, I achieved all these things and I don?t need to cheat. And he didn?t do that, and that?s because he?s been cheating his whole career? Michael Bisping ( www. MMAFighting.com)
LAST ROUNDS. Are on my fellow good-looking Aquarians celebrating their birthdays this week- my kumare Val Macapagal, Atty. Dennis Quiokeles, my cousin Jingle Knight, Dara Espina, and Rommel ? Bords? Hapin. Cheers!
