Consensus world featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao almost singlehandedly put the Philippines back on the global boxing map as the country enjoyed a renaissance in the sport this year.
As 2004 comes to a close, three Filipinos were perched on thrones as world champions although none of their titles is of the superior variety.
Pacquiao, 26, is recognized as world champion only by the Ring Magazine for halting Marco Antonio Barrera last year and retaining the crown via a split draw with Juan Manuel Marquez last May. The fight game?s top three governing bodies?the World Boxing Council (WBC), World Boxing Association (WBA) and International Boxing Federation (IBF)?recognize different titleholders.
If Pacquiao beats Marquez in their Feb. 26 rematch, he will win the WBA and IBF diadems. The WBC featherweight ruler is In Jin Chi of South Korea.
Pacquiao drew the largest crowd?over 25,000?in recent local history as he headlined a card, dubbed “Yanig Sa Taguig,” in an open-air field at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig, last Dec. 11. Pacquiao didn?t disappoint the multitude as he pulverized Fahsan 3-K Battery of Thailand in the fourth round. His display of power was awesome?Pacquiao lifted Fahsan?s two feet off the canvas with a brutal left uppercut in fashioning the one-punch demolition.
Gerry Pe?alosa, 32, and Dindo Castanares, 23, are the other Filipino “world” champions. The newly-reorganized World Boxing Foundation (WBF), now based in Australia, recognizes Pe?alosa as the superflyweight champion and Castanares, the superlightweight titlist.
Pe?alosa won the vacant WBF 115-pound crown by stopping Bangsaen Sithpraprom of Thailand in the seventh round at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater last November. Castanares knocked out Guillermo (Pantera) Mosquera of Panama to capture the vacant WBF 140-pound title in Auckland two weeks ago.
Four Filipinos reign as Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champions. They are minimumweight Rodel Mayol, superfeatherweight Randy Suico, lightweight Dennis Laurente and welterweight Rev Santillan.
Aside from the OPBF titleholders, other Filipinos highly ranked by at least one of the top three governing bodies are minimumweight Eriberto Gejon, lightflyweight Juanito Rubillar, flyweights Brian Viloria and Diosdado (Prince) Gabi and superflyweight Malcolm Tunacao.
Easily the most promising Filipino fighters are superflyweight Z Gorres and unbeaten bantamweight Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista.
As the world celebrates Christmas today, here are what some of the country?s prominent boxing personalities are wishing for.
Newly-appointed Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain?”That politics be set aside in this season of peace and instead there be political unity during the holidays. That next year?s hosting of the Southeast Asian Games be a great success and help our country instill in our countrymen that we are a strong republic. Lasting peace, strength and prosperity for our country.”
Cebu-based promoter Tony Aldeguer?”For Smart and Solar Sports to put up another ?Yanig Sa Taguig” featuring Filipino challengers fighting for world titles with the likes of Mayol, Suico, Santillan, Bautista, Gorres and Gabi. I?m sure these boxers will have better chances of winning if they fight here. For boxing to get more financial support from the private sector through sponsorships. For overstaying sports officials to give to younger and qualified people a chance to serve Philippine sports.”
Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines president Manny Lopez?”For peace, harmony and goodwill to all mankind. Without that, there is nothing to talk about in sports. For the alleviation of poverty. The poor are getting poorer. Life seems to be getting worse. Maraming nahihirapan. Pahirap ng pahirap ang buhay. Business is down. For the successful staging of the SEA Games, not only in terms of performance but also in preparation. We hope to get the majority of the medals in boxing. I can assure that in women?s boxing but we will try for men?s, too.”
Pacquiao?s wife Jinkee?”Wishes ko this Christmas. Una, good health lalung-lalo na sa mga anak namin ni Manny (Emmanuel Jr., 4, and Michael Stephen, 3). Peace for everybody and unity.”
International referee Bruce McTavish?”For the Philippines to protect our boxers from ruthless promoters. For President Arroyo to clean up the government. For peace throughout the world.”
Gerard Cantada whose father Edgardo promotes the Sunday afternoon TV series “Fistorama”?”More exciting fights on ?Fistorama,? new sponsors and a 36-inch waist.” “Fistorama” will stage a card in Cagayan de Oro City on Jan. 3.
