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Philippines, 11 May 2026 |
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Boxing trio reunited up there By Joaquin Henson PhilBoxing.com Mon, 11 May 2026  Lito Mondejar. The last surviving bedrock of the boxing triumvirate that paved the way for Manny Pacquiao’s ascendancy is gone. Lito Mondejar passed away last Wednesday and has joined ring buddies Rod Nazario and Ramon (Moy) Lainez somewhere up there in the heavenly domain of the after-life. They were the incomparable Three Musketeers of Philippine boxing. Lainez and Mondejar owned the fabled L&M Gym on Paquita Street, Sampaloc where the likes of Luisito Espinosa, Morris East, Rolando Pascua and a young Pacquiao trained to become future world champions. Nazario was the master strategist in laying out a career path for fighters, similar to what Papa Sarreal did with Flash Elorde. As a threesome, they were responsible for bringing Pacquiao to the US in 2001 and built the foundations that propelled him to unprecedented heights. In 1971, the three traveled to Maracaibo, Venezuela, for WBC flyweight champion Erbito Salavarria’s title defense against Betulio Gonzalez at the Luis Aparicio Stadium. Nazario was a judge in the fight along with referee Mills Lane and Emilio Lugo. Mondejar and Lainez were in Salavarria’s corner. It ended in a split draw. When Nazario was Pacquiao’s manager, Mondejar used to hold up his championship belt on the walk to the ring. In 1998, Mondejar was in Pacquiao’s corner when he knocked out Chatchai Sasakul to wrest the WBC flyweight crown, the first of eight world championships in different divisions in his collection. In 2003, Mondejar stayed with Pacquiao in the US for two months as he prepared for the fight against Marco Antonio Barrera. Mondejar and Nazario started the TV boxing show “Blow By Blow” in 1994 and it was the platform that introduced Pacquiao. “Blow By Blow” was revived by Mondejar with former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol and boxing promoter Gerry Garcia in 2015. And in 2022, Pacquiao brought the show back to life with Mondejar’s son Bobby as ring announcer. Mondejar’s life revolved around boxing. When he retired to live in his farm in Kidapawan, North Cotabato, Mondejar formed a group of kids from 12 to 15 and taught them the basics of the sport, keeping an eye on prospects who might someday become the next Pacquiao. Mondejar succumbed to abdominal aortic aneurism at the age of 90. His wife died in 1995. Mondejar had five children and 27 grandchildren. His wake is at St. Peter Funeral Home, Barangay Lanao, Kidapawan. The plan is to bring Mondejar’s remains to Manila where he will be buried. A colorful chapter in Philippine boxing annals has closed with the passing of Mondejar, a legendary promoter and manager, but it will forever be remembered as one of the greatest highlights in local sports history. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.  |
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