THE DEATH of former IBF lightweight champion Leavander Johnson last Thursday at a hospital in Las Vegas from a severe brain injury he suffered in a fight with Jesus Chavez underscored once more the brutality of pro boxing.
But even though pro boxing is a hazardous sport, it would be futile to abolish it in our contemporary society. It continues to exist and survive because boxing, first and foremost, is a dream come true for many faceless, hardworking fighters who were born in godforsaken poverty.
Two of the country’s greatest boxers, the late Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and the man of the moment, Manny Pacquiao, had humble beginnings. But they worked harder and sacrificed more than any other Filipino athlete to achieve unprecedented success. Pacquiao, for example, has already earned enough money to fill his pockets for several lifetimes, tasting the kind of fame and fortune few boxers will ever accomplish.
Powerful American promoters Don King and archrival Bob Arum, who is still very much in the spotlight nowadays, are two major players in recent pro boxing history. Both derive much of their power through their friendships yet “questionable” connections with the bosses of the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation, three of the more influential and widely known ring organizations.
For example, once wrote famous American sports journalist Howard Cosell, “if either King or Arum has a fighter he wants to get a shot at a title, or needs as opponent for one of his champions — presto! — the fighter is suddenly ranked in the top 10 of his division to legitimate the match.” It was an unholy mess, Cosell stressed. “To be sure, there were gross improprieties.”
In my view, pro boxing is sick for the following reasons: one, the huge financial inducements offered by sleazy promoters (like Murad Muhammad?), two, the overwhelming support given by the vast majority of the media members who are apologists for boxing, and three, the television networks that tolerate the continued existence of ring organizations such as the WBC, WBA and IBF which exist only for the purpose of creating championship fights which the networks can sell for big money.
Pro boxing is on the ropes in the Philippines. The Games and Amusements Board is aware that nowadays there are few fighters in the mold of Pacquiao who can fill the stadium to capacity. Gone were the SRO (standing room only) days of Pancho Villa, Ceferino Garcia, Dado Marino, Tirso del Rosario, Speed Cabanela, Bonnie Espinosa, Little Cesar, Dommy Ursua, Flash Elorde, Rene Barrientos, Ben Villaflor, Roberto Cruz, Pedro Adigue, Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Frank Cede?o, Luisito Espinosa, brothers Dodie Boy and Gerry Pe?alosa, and “The Bad Boy of Dadiangas” himself, Rolando Navarrete, among other crowd drawers.
Too many people have been paying lip service to help save the ailing boxing industry, but hardly anybody has been making substantial progress. More’s the pity when one goes over the long list of boxers who had died in recent years, namely, Marnel Zayas, Andy Balaba, Restituto Espenili, Mauro Saucelo, Macky Siluano, Eugen Barutag, John Eman Juarez and Freddie “Amang” Gimay.
* * *
FIREBIRD SIZZLES. I am happy for an esteemed friend, hotelier-sportsman Biboy Enriquez, whom I have not seen in years, for winning the recent NCA 7-Stag Derby at the Makati Coliseum. Congratulations!
Enriquez and partner Rep. Jing Paras emerged solo champion when their fast and fearless McKinley Firebird entries scored six wins against one loss.
Soft-spoken and approachable, Biboy is a perennial winner in big-time derbies, including the World Slasher Cup, because of his serious dedication and passion for the sport, honesty and Christian charity . . . PBA SHINDIG. The Philippine Basketball Association will be holding its pre-season press launch tomorrow at the Manila Diamond Hotel . . . READERS WRITE. My longtime suki Paul Mortel of Marikina City wrote: “You’re one of the few media people who’s informing our folks about the near-extinct tamaraws of Mindoro. To paraphrase Rep. Edmund Reyes during the impeachment period, “Wala na bang iba?”
