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Philippines, 21 Apr 2026 |
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Danovis Pooler and the Martial Art of Boxing (Special Series 2 of 5) By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT PhilBoxing.com Mon, 22 Sep 2025  Master Danovis “Dee” Pooler lives and breathes the martial art of boxing. To those who know him, the sweet science isn’t just a sport—it’s his destiny; both as a student and as a teacher. In every gym, in every fighter he guides, you can bet you’ll see his gift: the instinct to anticipate danger… to redirect its force… and to turn struggle into triumph. “Hit, and try not to get hit,” he likes to say. More than a phrase—it’s survival, born on the streets of Oakland where a young Pooler first learned not only how to fight, but when not to fight. At just nine years old, back in 1967, he fought off an abductor… that moment lit the spark. From there he boxed and grappled in high school; competed in collegiate wrestling; and threw himself into karate and kickboxing. “Early in life, I learned that the concepts of self-defense and self-preservation are intertwined,” he explains. “As in any fighting style, a realistic but firm belief in yourself and your capabilities will get you started on the right path… Learn from your teachers—for they have been where you want to be.” Here in the San Francisco Bay Area, Master Dee is more than a coach. He’s a mentor, a conditioning expert, a strategist—and, for many, a second father. His fighters include the first Latino heavyweight champion—WBC heavyweight titlist Martha Salazar; Muay Thai standout Mark Tabuso; legends like Jongsanan Fairtex and Enn Fairtex. Each carries forward pieces of his wisdom. To step into a gym with him is to enter a place where discipline and compassion walk side by side… He can be stern when needed, playful when it fits; but always steady. He expects your best, because he always gives you his. For me, his guidance has been more than professional—it’s been personal. He’s helped me through more than one comeback, reminding me that resilience is as much a state of mind as it is a physical skill. And now, with the Bangon Kabayan festival on the horizon, it feels like our shared homecoming… just as fighters return to the ring, we return to community, to history, and to the people who shaped us.  (L-R) Danovis Pooler and Luisito Espinosa (2002) Two decades ago, he stood behind Luisito “Earthquake” Espinosa in his return fight on May 23, 2002. Espinosa’s second-round knockout of Colombian contender Ever Beleno—with promoter Oscar De La Hoya at ringside—was a triumph not just for the fighter but for the trainer in his corner. That bond between master and student was forged not only in mitt work… but in shared belief. Dee’s own fighting career is decorated. With a combined record of 58 wins and 5 losses, with 29 knockouts, he earned respect in both boxing and kickboxing rings. He became Fort Lewis Post Boxing Champion in 1979; German-American Champion in 1980; the first WKA Full Contact Champion in 1981. In 2001, he fought for the ISKA Cruiserweight World Title in Sydney—a reminder of both his longevity and his versatility.  His mastery stretches across systems and disciplines. A fifth-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu; a third-degree in Shotokan; he’s also trained in jujutsu, Muay Thai, kung fu, tae kwon do, and collegiate wrestling. He teaches that fighting is never just about fists—it’s conditioning; it’s strategy; it’s the courage to execute under pressure. From katana defense to Greco-Roman takedowns, his breadth of knowledge is as wide as his heart is deep.  The roll call of those who train with him reads like an honor roll. Luisito Espinosa—two-time world boxing champion. Alex “F-14” Gong (ISKA Muay Thai world champion). Jongsanan “Wooden Man” Fairteex, Lumpinee legend. Martha Salazar (trailblazing WBC women’s heavyweight champion). Gilbert “Hurricane” Jackson; Mark Tabuso (WBC Muay Thai Executive); and many more—from Golden Gloves amateurs to international professionals—each shaped in part by his guidance.  Truth is, what defines him goes far beyond records, belts, or titles; it’s his humanity. He’s a mentor who knows when to push and when to encourage… a coach who stays late, holding pads long after others have gone home… a friend who celebrates victories, but also stands close during setbacks. For me, he’s all of that and more. A teacher; a guide; a best friend. In his presence, I see not only the craft of boxing, but the art of living with dignity.  Master Danovis “Dee” Pooler is a fighter, a coach, a mentor, and a friend. For every student who steps into his gym, for every fighter who carries his lessons into the ring, his voice still rings out: believe in yourself… protect yourself… and learn from those who came before you. And in the ring of life, he is right here in our corner. Corner Notes  This October 11, 2025, Saturday, 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. at Bangon Kabayan: Fiesta sa Fulton in San Francisco, Master Dee Pooler will be with us as the featured speaker, alongside his team from the Philippine Boxing Historical Society and Hall of Fame, where he serves as our Founding Director. From 12:30 to 1:30 in the afternoon, he’ll take the stage to do what he has always done best— teaching… demonstrating… and inspiring the community. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.  |
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