It took a while for Cebu Boxing to get things started this year, but after a two-month wait, it?s all set and ready for take off ; and you?ll see later they?ll literally take off to go elsewhere.
Pinoy Pride of ALA Promotions is back with its 24th edition on March 1, but there?s a hitch. It?s taking place at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Manila. Bacolod born Genesis ?Azukal? Servania and King Arthur Villanueva will be the main event fighters as they go up against Latino opponents anew. Servania faces former world champion Alexander Munoz of Venezuela, while Villanueva goes up against Mexican Juan Hernandez. ALA Promotions has mentioned that Munoz is going to be Servania?s toughest opponent so far and this is another acid test to see if Servania is ready for the world level. No rush here, but they?d like to see the progress he has made through the years. And who knows, if the opportunity is there, he might just go for a world title in 2015. Servania is always uptight and ?gigil? when he fights and tends to veer away from a boxing game plan when he feels he can take the punch of his opponent. He goes at it with reckless abandon like a brawler that he often forgets that he?s actually a good technical boxer. Once he gets to overcome this, he?ll surely get to the next level. I just hope that Munoz is as good as advertised, and is not a ?washed up? ex- world champion. Remember how Servania beat up former world champ Genaro Garcia who ended up being just a shadow of his old self ? Servania doesn?t need this kind of a fight. He needs an opponent who will test him, hit him, get him in trouble, and take him deep in to the 10th to 12th rounds. It?s the only way to grow as a boxer. The tougher they come, the better.
Villanueva is another diamond in the rough who needs more ?seasoning? and exposure at the top level. While Hernandez may not be as well-known as Munoz, he should be a worthy opponent who Villanueva will use as a stepping stone for bigger fights up ahead. Although a world title may not be in sight for now, it will be interesting to see if he has gotten better over-all. When Villanueva was given the nickname ?Matador? during his Bacolod days, he was known for his power and defensive ways in dealing with onrushing boxers. He has blossomed to become a better over-all boxer who can slug it out but also give opponents a neat boxing lesson. Remember his title fight against Marco Demecillo? It was a classic case of a boxer outboxing a slugger over 12 rounds. Villanueva then came back in his next two fights which lasted for only four and one round, respectively.
The other good news from ALA Promotions is that the Pinoy Pride series looks set for the first semester of the year. April 5 is already booked for Pinoy Pride 25 in Davao, with Jason Pagara featured in the main event. May 5 is penciled for the rematch between WBO light flyweight champion Donnie Nietes and challenger/former world champion Moises Fuentes of Mexico. Venue? Manila na sad. And then they take off. Pinoy Pride goes to Dubai in June and San Diego in July. But taking off has its trade-offs which ALA Promotions should review.
Sorry Cebuano fans. It looks like ALA Promotions doesn?t have a fight card for us here in Cebu. I have great respect for the ALA Promotions management but not having at least one Cebu event in 2014 is a mortal sin. Let?s not forget how much support the Cebuanos give every ALA event. It?s always full-house and followed closely. Manila? They can?t even fill up a venue. I just hope that ALA Promotions remembers that Cebuano fans are discriminating, possessive and can be very sensitive to this kind of things. If you ignore them, they will counter by ignoring you back. And we all know that once a product loses its top customer, it will take a while before it can win it back. So please take this unsolicited advice. Do not forget the primary fans and supporters who were with you when it all started. I guaranty you won?t go wrong with this.
Meanwhile, IBF light flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero will defend his title against Mauricio Fuentes defense in March. Venue? Yes, you guessed it. Most likely Manila na sad. Casimero is a champ who can last for some time, but badly needs the support of an ALA or Top Rank type of a promoter. He?s the most ?unknown? of all champions since he doesn?t have the backing of a good PR handler. But he?s just as worthy as a champion as Nietes and Sabillo. I really wish he gets the much-needed following of the nation and the support of a good marketing communication campaign. Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:
Cebu Boxing is ironically off to a good start and running (away?), and things are looking bright indeed. Let?s all pray that Nietes, Casimero and Merlito Sabillo defend their titles in 2014 and that the likes of Servania, Villanueva, Pagara and Milan Melindo continue on their progress to become even better world-class boxers. Let?s also pray that we Cebuanos aren?t forgotten and instead left to watch Cebu?s best boxers on TV.
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Time-out: We ask for prayers for Josefina Inoferio (wife of Bobby ?Knight? Inoferio). She passed away this week. >>> You can reach me at [email protected].
