Philippines, 22 Apr 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


PACQUIAO WATCH: Would-be Manny's are coming, where are the promoters?


PhilBoxing.com



Mepranum (L) and Sonsona.

GENERAL SANTOS -- It took more than seven years before the magnitude of Manny Pacquiao's breakthrough performance in boxing's biggest stage finally sank and produced young and determined boxers eager to carve a name of their own in the square ring.

The likes of Richie Mepranum, Marvin Sansona, Jheter Oliva were all, like Manny Pacquiao, amateur standouts who are now carving a name of their own in professional boxing.

Richie Mepranum, managed by Maasim Mayor Jojo Lopez, is the reigning World Boxing Organization Oriental and Pacific flyweight champion and totes a superb 19-1-1 win-draw-loss record. He is slated to fight in the Pacquiao-De la Hoya undercard if he manages to obtain a visa.

Sansona recently annexed the WBO Asia Pacific Youth flyweight title via a second round stoppage of Joel Rafols in Naga, Cebu on October 4. He now sports a spotless record of nine wins with eight of his victories coming via KOs.

Jheter Oliva is fresh from a sixth round TKO win over Jerome Buntog whom he also knocked down in rounds 1 and 2 in Talisay City, Cebu last October 3, improving is immaculate record to 10 wins with no defeats. Eight of his wins came via knockouts. He is from JM Boxing Stable and is managed by 15-year old JC Boy Mananquil.

The three are just among the scores of promising boxers from the Soccsksargen area dreaming to become world champions one day and follow the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao.


Jether Oliva.

Sadly, local promoters of the old are no longer around to stage fights for these promising boxers.

Promoters/managers in the likes of Naty Cabreros, Erning Jaudian of Magnet Stable, the Claras of Clara boxing stable have since retired from professional boxing.

In the 70s and early 80s, Davao promoters like Vic Adriano and the late Rene Galope have been staging boxing cards in General Santos where the Navareette brothers (Lando and Romy), Andy Balaba (deceased), Lorimer Pontino, Fel Clementes and many more got their breaks.

Today, the only active promoter is Mayor Lopez but most of his cards are staged in Maasim, a good 44 kilometers away from General Santos.

Manny Pacquiao himself dipped his hands in promoting boxing cards in the city but his tight schedule and celebrity status has left boxing promotion in General Santos in the doldrums.

The last professional boxing card held in General Santos was in 2007.

Amateur boxing is doing alright here, okay. Thanks to Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines chapter president Rey Golingan and Mayor Jun Acharon.

The two have been staging weekly amateur boxing matches at the Oval Plaza Gym where the likes of ABS-CBN's Soscskssrgen TV Patrol reporter Sonny Sombrio have been fielding his amateur wards.

But sooner or later, some of these simonpures will go professionals.

If nobody will step forward to promote boxing bouts here in the city, they will find managers who have access to promoters elsewhere.

Manny and Mayor Jun will have to fill in the shoes if only to repay the city and boxing aficionados who are the faceless men behind the early success of these boxers.

As Manny has proven, honor goes along with success.

And General Santos has created a niche of its own in the boxing world, second only to its tuna products.

Calling Manny and Mayor Jun, and even Pacquiao lawyer and confidante Jeng Gacal, when are we going to see monthly pro boxing cards in the city again?


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Young Gildo: The Baguio Bearcat
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Filipino International Master Paulo Bersamina places solo runner-up in the 22nd Bangkok Chess Club Open in Thailand
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Female Amateur Boxing Star Sar’ai Brown-El Signs with Split-T Management
    , Tue, 22 Apr 2025
  • Apolinario to fight Hu in Japan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Warriors Shoot Down Rockets, 95-85 as Celtics, Cavaliers, Thunder Take Care of Business
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • 2025 USA Boxing International Open Finalized on Saturday
    , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Verano to face Thai in Clash of Nations on April 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 21 Apr 2025
  • Masangkay to fight Ocampo in JAS on April 23
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Denver Holds Off LA Clippers in OT, 112-110
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Arca clinches 3rd and final IM norm; Guns for GM norm in last round
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • IN HER GOLDEN GIRL ERA: GABRIELA “SWEET POISON” FUNDORA SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS UNDISPUTED TITLE AGAINST MARILYN BADILLO
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Fundora Retains Undisputed Flyweight Titles; Perez Shocks Conwell in Oceanside
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Dalton Smith Drops Mathieu German Three Times, Retains WBC Silver Title
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Filipino GM Antonio beats Serbia's IM for share of lead in Caberra Chess Tournament
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Villanueva to fight Antaran on April 27 in Gensan
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • MASOUD AND MCGRAIL CLASH IN ALL-BRITISH SHOWDOWN
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Semifinals Conclude at 2025 USA Boxing International Open
    , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • FM Arca is inching closer to his 3rd and final IM norm
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 20 Apr 2025
  • Weigh-In Results: Fundora and Conwell Ready for Golden Boy Fight Night in Oceanside
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Undefeated, rising Canadian prospect Eric Basran wins in Opening round to advance to quarterfinals of inaugural Riyadh Season/WBC Boxing Grand Prix in Saudi Arabia
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • WEIGHTS FROM LONG BEACH
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Weights From Washington, PA
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Jerald Into Advances in WBC Boxing Grand Prix with Dominant Win Over Ahmad Jones
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • Press Conference Notes: Keyshawn Davis Set for Homecoming Title Defense against Edwin De Los Santos at Norfolk's Scope Arena
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025
  • JAKE PAUL vs JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ JR / ZURDO RAMIREZ vs YUNIEL DORTICOS JUNE 28 in ANAHEIM
    , Sat, 19 Apr 2025




  •  



     
    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
    © 2025 philboxing.com.