Philippines, 28 Mar 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


VALCARCEL: ?THE SHOW MUST GO ON? (PHOTOS)


PhilBoxing.com





Aboard Norwegian Sky ? ?The show must go on.?

That was what WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel told the assembled delegates to the 30th WBO Convention here Monday night despite the tragedy suffered by Puerto Rico, the location of the boxing body's headquarters, due to two powerful hurricanes Irma and Maria that ravished the island last month that knocked out its electric power, water and other basic services which effectively halted the island's normal flow of daily life.

?We have to get back on our feet. And I thanked everyone for coming over especially those from far away countries like Japan and the Philippines for making the effort. We will do our work quickly because I want you to enjoy the ship and the islands,? Valcarcel said.

The WBO 30th convention, which will formally open Tuesday morning, is held aboard the luxury ship Norwegian Sky on a 4-day vacation tour that departed at Miami port Monday afternoon and will make its first stop in Havana, Cuba by 8:00 a.m. Tuesday. It will depart Havana by five in the afternoon the same day and head to the Great Stirrup Cay private island in the Bahamas where it is expected to arrive at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. It will then depart at 11 a.m. Thursday where it is expected to arrive back in Miami at 7 a.m. Friday.

The ship, which carries 2,200 passengers in this voyage, has a pool deck, casino, restaurants, night club and bars, theater, art gallery and conference halls. It also offers a satellite Internet connection.

The Monday evening cocktail reception reestablished connection among boxing officials, promoters, managers, matchmakers and boxers. The Philippine delegation was well represented headed by GAB chairman Abraham Mitra and his wife Rossel, promoter Johnny Elorde and wife Liza, well-traveled referee Danrex Tapdasan and his wife Mary Joy. The Rontal family, boxing promoters based in Cagayan de Oro, headed by patriarch Florecio 'Florskie' Rontal, young promoter Kenneth Rontal and his lawyer wife Amabelle and their son, and Kenneth's New York based brother Van were in full force joining the convention. Boxing judge Salven Lagumbay and this writer rounded up the list.


WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel speaks to the delegates during the cocktail reception Monday night.


Some of the delegates listen to Valcarcel.


The Philippine delegation. Seated (L-R): Mary Joy Tapdasan, Rossel Mitra, Danny Sandoval's wife, Liza Elorde, Atty Amabelle Rontal and Beboy Rontal; Standing (L-R): Johnny Elorde, Danrex Tapdasan, Danny Sandoval, Abraham Mitra, Van Rontal, Leon Panoncillo Jr, Florencio Rontal and Kenneth Rontal.


Referees all (L-R): Robert Hoyle, Kenny Bayless, Russell Mora, Benjy Esteves, Danrex Tapdasan and Mark Nelson.


Vacationers enjoy the pool on the top deck of the Norwegian Sky (below).




Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Fundora vs Thurman: Can Keith Thurman Shake Off The Rust?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Albert Ramirez Against Lerrone Richards for the WBA Interim Light Heavyweight World Title on June 4 in Montreal!
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • GM Daniel Quizon is the Favorite in 19th Kamatyas
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Weights From ‘Acosta vs. Rios’ Event from Thunder Studios in Long Beach, Calif., and Broadcast live on ProBoxTV
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Mauricio Sulaiman: WBC maintains priority of the defense of fighters
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Barrière and Akdeniz win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Jesse Espinas and Leboy Atencio Ready to Rumble in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV (Weigh-in Photos)
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Matchroom Boxing announces new long-term contract extensions for two top UK fighters
    , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Thananchai Decisions "Lucky Boy" Alicaba
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Mar 2026
  • Suslenkov to defend WBA continental title against Mann at IBA.PRO 16 in Serpukhov
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • SBA Builds the Future of Billiards with SBA Next and Official Pool Hub Network
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Don King Productions Announces Challenger for Reigning WBC Cruiserweight World Champion Noel Mikaelian
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • 11-0 Brooklyn heavyweight prospect Pryce Taylor developing his skills at Deontay Wilder and Andrii Novytskyi
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • IBA welcomes the victory of common sense in the IOC policy on protecting women
    , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • Genetic Testing will be required in Olympic Games
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Fri, 27 Mar 2026
  • “Lucky Boy" Alicaba Ready for Action Friday in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WBO & WBA World Champion René “El Chulo” Santiago Hosts Open Media Workout Ahead of April 3 Title Defense in Tokyo
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Former WBA FEDELATIN President Panamanian Aurelio Fiengo passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • The 19th edition of the Kamatyas Rapid Open and Kiddies Chess Tournament on March 28, 2026
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • WIG-WHAM! MILLER PLANS ‘OLD SCHOOL’ BEATING OF PERO IN LAS VEGAS
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • ProBoxTV Bringing a Storm of Flying Leather to Thunder Studios This Saturday, March 28, as Bryan Acosta Collides with Ronny Rios in Crossroads Bantamweight Slugfest
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Vito Mielnicki Jr. Training Camp Quotes
    , Thu, 26 Mar 2026
  • Remembering Mr. Elorde: Still the Gold Standard
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • House of Representatives say yes to the Boxing Revitalization Act and it is now sent to the Senate
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Mar 2026
  • Ryan ‘The Polish Prince’ Kielczweski To return after 4-year layoff to fight at home on Granite Chin’s ‘Rumble at the Rink II’ card
    , Wed, 25 Mar 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.