Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
271 articles · PhilBoxing.com
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Pablo Dano: Unbreakable
Boxing history remembers its champions—the ones who held gold, who stood at the top of their division, whose names were recorded into record books. But some of the toughest, most remarkable fighters…
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Diosdado Posadas: Call me Speedy
Some fighters had dynamite in their fists. Others had dazzling skills. But the rarest of them—the ones whose names linger long after they’re gone— had something more. They had game, and they…
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Philippine Boxing’s Temple of BOOM
The Olympic Stadium exists only in memory, passed down from one generation to the next through old newspaper clippings, faded photographs, and stories. Gone are the fighters, the swells, and The Fancy…
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Tom Cribb: The Crown Jewel of Boxiana (1781–1848)
Lately, my thoughts have often wandered back to my impromptu jaunt to jolly old England in November of last year. As I sat in the storied Tom Cribb Pub, nestled near Piccadilly…
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Mabuhay at Salamat: Long Live and Thanks
How does one say “thank you” long after the fact? Eight months ago, we gathered with old and new friends at the historic Manila Grand Opera Hotel in Santa Cruz for what…
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Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
November 7, 2024 London, England In the grand arena of human existence, life often feels like a scrappy underdog, bravely stepping into the ring against the undefeated champion: Death. As I sat…
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Chino Trinidad: Farewell to a Man of Truth and Consequence
He knew a good story when he saw one, and by golly, he told it well. As a master storyteller, he proudly showcased Philippine heritage through its arts, culture, and history. He…
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Francisco Guilledo: A Celebration of Life
Filipino boxers have gained worldwide fame for their clever, aggressive style and gameness in the ring. From flyweight to welterweight, all the way to middleweight, they have battled their way into contention…
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Francisco Guilledo: A World Champion Forever
Art of Boxing: Courtesy of Rodolfo “Jun” Aquino. July 14, 2024 San Francisco, CA: Today, we bow our heads and remember Francisco Guilledo—known to the world as Pancho Villa—a champion in both…
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Pancho Villa versus Jimmy McLarnin on the Fourth of July 1925: Francisco Guilledo’s Final Fight
San Francisco, California—He was up against formidable foes: a raging sepsis from an ulcerated tooth, a 19-year-old diamond-in-the-rough named Jimmy McLarnin, a sole referee acting as judge, and a hostile American crowd…
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Pierce Egan, Sr. In Memoriam, 1772-1849
• Pierce Egan, Sr. • BIRTH 1772 • Greater London, England • DEATH 3 Aug 1849 (aged 76-77) • Pentonville, London Borough of Islington, Greater London, England • BURIAL Highgate Cemetery West…
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William Eli Miller: The Bard who Illuminated Philippine Boxing in Print
If you’ve ever come across the colorful monikers of past Filipino boxing legends like Little Pancho, Small Montana, Speedy Dado, Young Tommy, or Star Frisco, chances are you've been enthralled by the…
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Gaudencio Cabanela, Sr.: The Premier Filipino Boxing Superstar
Gaudencio Cabanela, Sr. lived a brief yet remarkable life. His rapid ascent and subsequent decline in the boxing world continue to elicit feelings of pride and sorrow among those who recall his…
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Inocencio Moldez: The Clever One
He had the makings of a world champion— marquee looks, and clever moves. ‘Tis why Bill Miller branded him as Clever Sencio. Inocencio Moldez was the next in line to the world…
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Antonio Lopez Aldeguer: The Godfather of Philippine Boxing
"No book about the history of Philippine boxing is complete without the story of Tony Aldeguer—he epitomizes a great humanitarian, a patron of sports, especially The Sweet Science, and one who uplifts…
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Silvino Jamito: The First Filipino International Boxing Star
Silvino Jamito, the first Filipino boxer to journey to Australia, lived his mantra to the fullest: "Have gloves, can fight, will travel." Born on February 2, 1894, in Talisay, Camarines Norte, he…
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Unveiling the Legacy of Francisco Labra: A Pioneer in Philippine Boxing
Francisco Labra emerged as a pivotal figure in the rise of Filipino boxers during the 1910s and 1920s. Joe Waterman, the renowned matchmaker, booster, and promoter, once hailed Labra as the first…
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Eustaquio Duarte: The First Professional Boxer from the Philippines
(As told by Rocque Sanchez Yballa, Circa 1989, to his friend Hermie Rivera and one aspiring writer) In the seaside town of Daanbantayan, nestled on the northern tip of Cebu province, a…
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Jack Fiske, Reporter, 1917-2006
Jack Fiske, widely recognized as the Dean of Boxing Writers in the United States and beyond, epitomizes the essence of what a sportswriter should be. “Jack has a style akin to Pierce…
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Joe Waterman and his pioneering influence on Philippine Boxing
If not for astute promoters, we would not have the great sport of boxing. Envisioning an event, organizing the card, and making the fights happen required a specific skill set, and no…
