It is with great pride that I wave my Filipino flag for this article.
Within the last two years, in the wave headed by Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao, talented Filipino boxers have emerged from the Philippines leaving little doubt to the future of boxing. According to an account by Bob Arum, he had foreseen that the next market for boxing lies within the Latino community as he signed Oscar De La Hoya. Now, with Pacquiao’s success, Bob Arum’s Top Rank and Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions should now move quickly to consider that the next wave for boxing lies with the talent of Filipino boxers.
As Pacquiao has really proven to be the exception, Filipino boxers can be found among those weight divisions, notably flyweight and bantamweight that normally serve as undercards to the Las Vegas Superfights.
However, with the Filipino boxing talent rich in these undercard fights; this will perhaps lead to what is really needed in boxing overall – much needed exposure of good fighters with ability accessible to all fight fans. If the fans demand it, more exposure of the fighters in these weight divisions could make great main events themselves. Let’s take a look at the other Fighting Filipinos currently in contention to take boxing to a new level of exposure and excitement.
For the super flyweight divisions, two fighters emerge that could potentially make the division a great draw. On November 28, Fernando Lumacad, 21-2, 8 KO’s, is set to fight Juan Jose Montes, 15-1, 11 KO’s. At the age of 23, he needs a few more rounds under his belt. In his fight against notable Jorge “Travieso” Arce, Lumacad suffered a 3rd round knockout and it was his first fight in the United States. I’d call it a case of the veteran over the rookie. In his last fight, he defeated Nino Suelo in a 10 round unanimous decision. Prior to Suelo (literally – Lumacad fought Suelo just three weeks later), Lumacad defeated a Raul Veronque (0-8) in 3 rounds within a scheduled 6 round bout.
In addition to Lumacad, super flyweight and southpaw Z “Dream” Gorres, 30-2, 17 KO’s, can serve as great competition in the weight class. Gorres has one loss, but it’s a loss that needs to be revisited in the form of a rematch. In February 2008, Gorres fought the tough and unorthodox fighter Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan to a twelve round draw. Kudos to Darchinyan for taking the fight in the Philippines too.
As for Gorres’ potential, he has won his last three fights rather impressively. After his loss to Darchinyan, Gorres went on to defeat Nick Otieno in a unanimous decision over 10 rounds. Earlier this year in March 2009, he defeated Robert Carlos Leyva with a TKO in the 7th round of a 12 round fight. And most recently, in September 2009, he easily defeated Cruz Carbajal by RTD in the 6th round of a scheduled 10 round fight. On November 13, 2009, Gorres will face another southpaw Colombia’s Luis “Surtigas” Melendez.
At 37, Gerry “Fearless” Penalosa, 54-7, 36 KO’s, is fortunate enough to be a part of the Filipino wave.
As a super bantamweight and southpaw, Penalosa’s performance in his last four fights is quite solid. Within his last four fights, Penalosa has lost only once. In August 2007, Penalosa defeated Jhonny Gonzalez with a 7th round KO. In April 2008, against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, he scored a TKO in the 8th round in a scheduled 12 round bout.
In February 2009, against German Meraz, he won by unanimous decision over 10 rounds. Most recently, in his fight against Juan Manuel Lopez, Penalosa lost by RTD in 10 rounds in a scheduled 12 round bout. Penalosa is scheduled to fight Fernando Montiel in December 2009.
At super flyweight, Nonito “Filipino Flash” Donaire, 22-1, 14 KO’s, gives the flyweight and super flyweight division some much needed variety. As Darchinyan and Donaire rank as number 1 and 2 among super flyweights, they need to fight each other. This match-up could get top billing. It would also be the second fight that would definitely put a rest as to who is the best flyweight.
In their last fight, Donaire defeated Darchinyan with a TKO in the 5th round. On December 12, 2009, Darchinyan faces Tomas Rojas for the WBC Super Flyweight and WBA World Super Flyweight Titles. In February 2010, Donaire is also set to fight with a fighter to be determined. It’s only a matter of time really. Darchinyan and Donaire will have to face one another soon enough – especially if there are title belts on the line.
My favorite fighter, Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao leads the way for this talented group of Fighting Filipinos. He has steadily risen through the boxing world and has made it to the big time. But it wasn’t without a lot of hard work and a lot of blood. Pacquiao has worked hard to be as successful as he has been in the last two years. As he has steadily moved up in weight, his boxing has improved overall.
At one point, and much like the fighters I just mentioned, Pacquiao was but an emerging fighter. But for as many times as he has raised in arms in victory, boxing fans worldwide could see his talent and humility make him the best pound for pound fighter today. As November 14th approaches, many critics consider it to be Pacquiao’s day of reckoning against Miguel Cotto. I want Pacquiao to win, period.
As the Fighting Filipinos continue to take center stage in the big fights in Vegas, their arms will be raised in victory. The Fighting Filipinos have definitively taken the boxing world by storm but through strength of talent, ability, and humble beginnings. With Pacquiao leading the wave (the Filipino Flag wave, anyway) and accompanied by Lumacad, Gorres, Penalosa, and Donaire, the Fighting Filipinos are here to stay offering only the best boxing the world can ever see.
