| |
|
Japanese Mogul Donates Equipment to Wakee Salud's Cebu Boxing Gym
By Alex P. Vidal PhilBoxing.com Sat, 28 Jul 2007

True to his promise, hotelier and Panchenko slot machine mogul Toshiako “Koba” Kobayashi of Numazu, Tokyo, Japan donated some P100,000 worth of Winning brand boxing equipment to the newly refurbished boxing gym of Cebu-based international promoter Rex “Wakee” Salud in Labangon, Cebu City.
The equipment was unloaded on board Philippine Airlines Flight 433 from Narita International Airport to Mactan International Airport last July 17 accompanied by Salud who was at ringside when top prized-find Rev “Gentle Giant” Santillan toppled the OPBF 147-pound bauble off from the head of champion Taisei Marumoto in five rounds of the 12-round championship setto in Amagasaki, Hyoto last July 14.
“These are made of quality materials and similar to the ones used in some boxing gyms in the United States and Japan,” Salud said.
With area of 400 square meters, the spacious boxing gym located at the back of Salud’s house, could accommodate up to 20 boxers in one session. It has two regular-sized rings, four heavy and brand news punching bags, among other expensive paraphernalia.

Wakee Salud poses at his newly refurbished gym in Labangon, Cebu City.

A view of the rings at Wakee Salud gym.
It has also three bathrooms and a living quarter for Salud’s boxers who are mostly professionals.
“I originally planned to inaugurate the gym in the end of the month but I decided to move it to October after the fight of Manny Pacquiao (against Marco Antonio Barrera on Oct. 6 in Las Vegas),“ Salud told Philboxing.com. “Pacquiao will be my special guest.”
Salud said he has spent more or less P2 million for the gym’s repair. He would need additional amount for the “finishing touches”, including the maintenance, Salud stressed.
Kobayashi, who “adopted” the 30-year-old Santillan in his company, has vowed to support Salud’s gym described by some boxing aficionados who have visited the place as “truly world class and state-of-the-art.”
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex P. Vidal.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Pabular to face Kitano on April 13 at Korakuen Hall By Lito delos Reyes, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Five reasons why IBA NOMAD 14 in Almaty is worth watching , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Antonio bounces back in Sydney International Open Chess Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Wise Owl Boxing Signs Rising Los Angeles Prospect Jahvad McDermott , Fri, 10 Apr 2026Staying active is Magsayo’s priority By Joaquin Henson, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Abu Bakar ready to rumble against Singh on April 11 By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Atty. Aldwin Alegre is set to compete in the 23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open 2026 to be held at the Luxurious Sheraton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand from April 11-19, 2026. By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026WEIGH IN RESULTS IGLESIAS VS SILYAGIN - TOMORROW NIGHT IN MONTREAL! , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Kristian Prenga Headlines “Crossroads in Brick City” on June 6 in Newark , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Macala, Silva, Lopez to play in 14th Atty. Jong Guevarra Cup By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Former World Champion Miguel Berchelt Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Sem Japet Enano Stuns Hometown Favorite Tyrell Adams to Claim IBO Oceania Featherweight Title , Thu, 09 Apr 2026IBF lightweight eliminator tops IBA.PRO 17 card in Ufa , Thu, 09 Apr 2026Biasong fights Bustrillo on April 18 in Bukidnon By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026Olmillo fights Boquiren on April 18 in RFL By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026Overweight Paradero cancels bout By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026Biado's World 8-Ball Title Bid Ends By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026WBC Champion Lester Martinez will be honored in Guatemala Congress By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 08 Apr 2026Full Card Announced for this Saturday, April 11, Mielnicki Jr. vs. Huerta Event from Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City & Live on ProBoxTV , Wed, 08 Apr 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 7 APRIL 2026: Santiago Retains WBA/WBO Titles in Tokyo; Taduran KOs Perez in 5; Price Decisions Aquino; Wins by Wilder, Bentley and Tim Tszyu By Eric Armit, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Carlo Biado is the last Filipino standing in the 2026 Yalin WPA Men's 8-Ball World Championship By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Unification next for Taduran? By Joaquin Henson, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026BEN WHITTAKER REPLACES INJURED CALLUM SMITH AS THE NEW MAIN EVENT FOR LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT ON APRIL 18 – LIVE ON DAZN , Tue, 07 Apr 2026Filipino chess phenom triumphs at Krefelder Osteropen 2026 chess tournament in Germany By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 07 Apr 2026ProBoxTV Travels to Prudential Center in Newark, NJ, This Friday, April 10, as Hebert Conceicao Sousa Battles Power-Punching South American Johan Gonzalez in Middleweight Main Event , Tue, 07 Apr 2026 |

|
|
|
|
|