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Philippines, 23 Nov 2024 |
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?How was it in Palawan?? By Epifanio M. Almeda PhilBoxing.com Thu, 13 Dec 2007 This is the question boxing referee and judge Salvador Lopez (?Hogan? in the philboxing.com forum) asked me in a text message. I texted back ?excellent? with the promise to answer fully his question. When my fellow ring officials and I entered the Palawan provincial gym located in Puerto Princesa City around 5 p.m. for the 6 p.m. scheduled fights, I thought we were late. The seats were already about 90% filled up by an excited boxing crowd as more continued to pour in. ?In this Corner? bigwigs Rod Nazario, Moy Lainez, Lito Mondejar and Gerry Garcia also entered the gym before 6 p.m. These ?stalwarts?, like their colleagues in Philippine boxing, seem to have boxing in their blood and breath. It is worthwhile to be around these people as you?ll get ?infected? with their passion for boxing. They, and the others I wouldn?t be able to mention for lack of space, sustain Philippine boxing and keep it from dying. Palawan is located southeast of Metro Manila and is about 1? hours by plane from it. All the fighters who fought in the card and the ring and GAB officials were airlifted to the fight venue. ?In this Corner? deserves credit for bringing an actual and live boxing ?in that corner? of the country. As we waited for the fights to start, I asked my fellows for a recognizable name of a past or present fighter from Palawan. They could give me none. But I foresee there will be. The Palawan provincial government co-promoted the fight card. Provincial governor Joel Reyes has an on-going ?Adopt-a-boxer program?. I saw in a part of the gym seated about 10 teenagers clad in yellow-orange T-shirts prominently marked with ?Adopt-a-boxer program? at the back. The teenagers stood up when they were recognized by ring announcer Boy Villanera. The color of their T-shirts brought to mind a familiar sight in a court of justice hearing criminal cases. Detainees appear before the court wearing similarly colored T-shirts with the marking ?DETAINEE? at the back. The Palawan provincial government headed by Gov. Reyes surely deserves plaudits for its noble program which keeps teenagers occupied with boxing instead of activities which could bring them T-shirts marked with, instead of ?Adopt-a-boxer program?, ?DETAINEE?. Boxing, in this respect, promotes peace and order in our communities by diverting potential juvenile delinquents from the streets to the boxing gyms. The fights started on time. How I wish we have the same punctual crowd and organizers in many of our fight venues in Luzon. By the way Saldy, these are the fight results: 10-rounders: RP super-flyweight champion Eden Sonsona by 5th rd TKO over #4 contender Celso Danggod Jonathan Ba-at by MD over Dante Contiga, 119 lbs Roy Doliguez by 8th rd TKO over Benedict Suico, 114 lbs Sonny Gonzales by 8th rd TKO over Robert Dalisay, 123 lbs 8-rounders: Ronald Pontillas by UD over Darryl Pucdol, 122 lbs Michael Landero by MD over Jetli Purisima, 107 lbs 6-rounders: Marvin Sonsona by 2nd rd TKO over Daryl Amoncio, 110 lbs Dan Nazareno, Jr. by UD over Marlon Alta, 133 lbs A 4-round 2-minute per round special attraction-intermission fight signals the readiness of Palawan to produce a named fighter in the days to come. ?How was it in Palawan?? It was an excellent trip with a fine weather cooperating. It was enlightening in the sense that Palawan shows its active determination to produce its own world champion for the country?s glory with their ?Adopt-a-boxer program?. It is reassuring that boxing, the sport we are happy with, will remain to keep us entertained. And, thank you Saldy for asking a profound question. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Epifanio M. Almeda.  |
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