Evenly matched, a Filipino facing off against a Mexican inside boxing’s squared circle is all but guaranteed to be a crowd-pleasing slug-fest. But when elite fighters are involved, its history in the making.
The Filipino vs. Mexican rivalry may be one of boxing’s youngest, but it’s definitely one of its fiercest. It all started and sparked by 8-division world champion Manny Pacquiao’s conquest of some of Mexico’s boxing legends like Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao shocked the boxing world, coming from nowhere and devastating some of the greatest fighters that has come from the proud Mexican stable of fighters. For his efforts, Pacquiao earned monikers such as “The Mexicutioner” and “Republika Enemy No. 1”. View slideshow: Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales trilogy photo gallery
Since then, Mexican and Filipino boxing fans alike, took notice each time their fighters would lock horns. All of a sudden, Filipino fighters became a regular fixture at boxing cards in Mexico.
Jorge Arce (left), Nonito Donaire, Jr. (right) Photo credit: Chris Farina – Top Rank
Video: Manny Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales Trilogy
In 2007, Golden Boy Promotions aimed to capitalize on the said rivalry by putting together a Philippines vs. Mexico “World Cup of Boxing” at the ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California. The Philippines won handily 5-1, but lost in the main event when Daniel “Ponce” De Leon handed Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista the first and most devastating loss of his career.
In recent years, Cebu, Philippines-based boxing promotional company ALA Promotions has thrived on bringing in Mexican opponents to challenge their top fighters such as WBO jr. flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes, who snagged the said title from Mexican Ramon Garcia Hirales last year, as their other attractions like Milan Melindo, A.J. Banal, and Boom-Boom Baustista have all gotten their fair share of Mexican opponents. Though not always top level opposition, Mexican fighters always brought it, making up for their deficiencies with their patented warrior mentality.
This October, The Philippines vs. Mexico rivalry flips a new page in a bout that can potentially add another great chapter to its saga. Ring Magazine’s #4 top pound-for-pound boxer Nonito Donaire, Jr. is considered as the best Filipino fighter after Pacquiao. 4-division world champion Jorge Arce, a true Mexican legend, has fought and beaten the best, and is one of the most beloved and revered fighters in Mexican boxing history. It’s been long overdue, but finally, two of boxing’s most dominant little men in the last 5 years get their chance to add their signatures to this storied rivalry.
