Bill Velasco

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Higher calling

This is my quest To follow that star No matter how hopeless No matter how far To fight for the right Without question or pause To be willing…

Tue, 13 Dec 2022

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ALA memories

“The good is oft interred with their bones.” – William Shakespeare, “Julius Caesar” The demise of ALA Promotions definitely leaves a big voi…

Sun, 23 Aug 2020

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Boxing history repeats itself

In 1924, Asia?s first world boxing champion Pancho Villa had his license revoked for allegedly refusing to take a fight. He decided to retur…

Sun, 08 Sep 2019

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Manny Pacquiao: Alone on the mountaintop

What do you get the man who has done everything? This is the question Manny Pacquiao faces. And how do you wind up a career as mythic and po…

Sat, 12 Jan 2019

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Good times for boxing

A gargantuan confluence of circumstances is towing Asia to the dominant position in professional boxing. The domino effect of political and …

Sat, 17 Nov 2018

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The champions we need

The WBO World Super Flyweight title is still vacant, as Donnie Nietes and Aston Palicte battled to a split draw Saturday evening in Californ…

Mon, 10 Sep 2018

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Why Dubai?

It appears WBO world welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is keen on having his next fight in the United Arab Emirates. With no opponent sla…

Sat, 18 Feb 2017

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Confusing signals

Once again, Top Rank founder Bob Arum has managed to turn the sporting world on its head, announcing a demanding four-fight ?farewell tour? …

Mon, 16 Jan 2017

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Why bother with Crawford?

WBC and WBO world super lightweight champion Terence Crawford and his trainer Brian McIntyre have been attempting to goad Sen. Manny Pacquia…

Sat, 10 Dec 2016

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Farewell, Ronnie

It is the irreversible end of an era in Philippine sports. With the passing of my old friend and colleague Ronnie Nathanielsz, we have lost …

Mon, 14 Nov 2016

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Roach confirms Manny-Floyd 2 talks

HOLLYWOOD, California ? New WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach confirms that talks for a possible rematch have…

Sat, 12 Nov 2016

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Pacquiao in their eyes

LAS VEGAS, Nevada - Manny Pacquiao is many things to many people: a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, a deeply spiritual man, a devoted husband an…

Mon, 07 Nov 2016

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Why Pacquiao should win

LAS VEGAS, Nevada ? It has been unusually quiet for a Manny Pacquiao fight in this loud city. This is not to say that nothing is happening; …

Sat, 05 Nov 2016

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Morris East gives back

?It doesn?t matter how strong you are but if you lack the discipline and resistance you won?t last when you strive to go the distance.? ? Mo…

Mon, 10 Oct 2016

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Friends in right places

But there was a different air, one of hope and possibility, at the opening of the ?Top-Level Consultative Meeting in Development Plan for Ph…

Sat, 03 Sep 2016

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ABAP: The fight continues

You have to keep fighting. That is the philosophy of Association of Boxing Alliances of the Philippines (ABAP) executive director Ed Picson,…

Mon, 16 May 2016

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Strong sports under Duterte

It looks like Philippine sports will experience a resurgence under the administration of presumptive President Rodrigo Duterte, from top to …

Sat, 14 May 2016

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Boxing revelations

CEBU CITY, Philippines ? WBO superbantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr.?s homecoming capped a long, exciting night of boxing at a warm, p…

Mon, 25 Apr 2016

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Why Pacquiao-Bradley III is important

When you mark time in eras, as most of us do, there are milestones and threshold events that become part of your memory. For the percentage …

Sat, 09 Apr 2016

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No sense of history?

January was an eventful month for Philippine sports. Just look at all that transpired: the Philippine Olympic Committee Hall of Fame Awards,…

Mon, 01 Feb 2016