WHILE EVERYONE is agog over the coming rematch between Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera, Philippine boxing is also busy taking advantage of the opportunities that have opened up for our pugilists.
With two world champions already entrenched in the world rankings, many more are setting their sights on plum positions in different world organizations.
At the end of the month, Donnie Nietes goes for the vacant WBO Minimumweight championship against Phosuwan Kratingdaenggym of Thailand. Puerto Rican Ivan Calderon relinquished the crown to go up for the light flyweight crown against Hugo Cazares of Mexico whom he defeated.
Nietes, a colorful boxer who has amused many by bringing along and wrapping around himself a pet python, is another ALA Boxing gym prot?g? whom Tony Aldeguer has nurtured into world-class stature. Even if a world title has so far proven elusive to the stable, those who have seen the dedication and professionalism by which their boxers are trained know it’s just a matter of time.
The respected Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar de la Hoya also seems to think so, partnering with ALA in getting Filipino boxers much-needed and sought-after opportunities in the U.S.
Also seeing action is AJ “Bazooka” Banal, whom we have been very excited about since we first saw him two years ago. He had a spectacular outing in the World Boxing Cup against Jorge Cardenas whom he flattened in three rounds. The 18-year-old originally from Corella, Bohol but who now resides in Ermita, Cebu, will go up against Genaro Camargo who totes a formidable 14-0 record. Eight of Camargo’s victories were via the short route, none of them going beyond three rounds.
Venue is the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City on September 30.
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Meantime, another ALA boxer is set to headline a big card in Cagayan de Oro City on October 6. Milan Melindo, a native of Puerto district will vie for the WBO Asia-Pacific Championship which Nietes had to forego. Melindo will contest the title with Naupayak Sakkririn of Thailand at the Mindanao Polytechnic State College.
The championship card will serve as the main event in the launching of a brainchild of Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar S. Moreno who conceived the holding of a Vismin Boxing Cup patterned after the recent World Cup of Boxing held in Las Vegas.
“Since a lot of Filipino boxers hail from the Visayas and Mindanao, it should be very interesting to see how they will fare against each other in this kind of a format” said the sportsman governor who put up a boxing gym complete with equipment in Cagayan de Oro City under the supervision of Asian Games gold medalist Roberto Jalnaiz.
Already, there have been a deluge of inquiries from all over Mindanao and the Visayas from numerous boxing managers who have expressed eagerness to have their boxers entered in the Vismin Cup.
Other stables that have signified interest in the Vismin Cup are those of Tony Aldeguer and Wakee Salud of Cebu, Mayor Xander Khan of Jose Abad Santos, Davao, Mayor Jojo Lopez of Maasin, Saranggani Province, and Capt. Mario Eronico of Cagayan do Oro, among others.
Gov. Moreno, who has pledged his full support for the promotion has tapped Mayor Clint Puertas of Lagonglong municipality, Board Member Peter Unabia (of Sr. Pedro lechon manok fame), businessman Eden Huang and 60’s basketball legend Val Rosabal as his point men for the project.
With the kind of activity currently pervading in Misamis Oriental in preparation for this event, it is predicted that boxing fans from all over Mindanao and the Visayas will make a beeline for CDO in October.
Expect us to join in on the fun.
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Actually, Cagayan de Oro is going to be quite the hub of activity on the first week of October. The ABAP will also hold their national championship there from September 30 to October 6 with over 350 participants.
This is going to be quite the treat for Cagayanons and boxing fans in neighboring areas. ABAP President Manny Lopez and Sec-Gen Roger Fortaleza promise a lot of talented amateurs for the tilt.
