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Philippines, 02 Feb 2026 |
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A PINOY BOXER'S STORY PhilBoxing.com Fri, 14 Nov 2008 (Editor's Note: This is a special report penned by Ken Smith of ABA, whose love for his boxers has oftentimes moved him to not just bankroll, but serve as their publicist as well.) The first time I saw the boy he showed up while we were still building our gym.. American Boxing Academy of Digos City had not been started with Joebert Delos Reyes in mind. He was a beginner and I already had enough of them. I was looking to start a program like the one I had left some 25 yrs earlier in the United States.I had already competed at the highest levels of amateur and pro boxing in the USA, and I didn't have the patience to start over with novices, so I thought. The tall boy in a droopy straw hat, slowly walked up to the partially built gym and watched some of my fighters preparing. Someone, I do not recall who now, told me that this big boy came to try out for my new boxing team in Digos City.I asked what was his boxing experience. 'None' was the reply. I just went back to the boxers I was working with. The next day I noticed the big boy had returned. I did not pay much attention until my lovely wife came over and told me "There is a boy who has been coming here everyday for a week and he is walking long distance from the mountain, and he really wants to try out for your team." She then pointed over at the kid in the straw hat. I took a little closer look at the boy this time noticing he was big eyed, a muscular and handsome boy, he stared, watching my every move and then shyly looked away.I threw him some gloves and pointed to the bag. He looked confused. He took a few swipes at the bag awkwardly, until I said "stop" I told my wife, "tell him no, tell him there is no room for more beginners here,I have enough already, this is supposed to be an elite boxing program, to make champions." I went back to work on the fighters I was working with. The next day same time same place there is the boy again at my gym. My wife who was a mainstay during the construction of our simple gym says: "Honey that boy is here again and asked me to please ask your husband to give me a chance I promise I will not let him down." I finally relented and let the mountain boy gear up and spar with another novice who proceeded to beat him from pillar to post, bloodying his nose along the way. After one round we called a halt to the massacre, and I surely thought that was the last we will see of Joebert De los Reyes. I was wrong, very wrong. The next morning there he was again waiting out at our gate for the boxers' run.. I just sighed.. Shortly thereafter I went back home to the USA.. My main man Glen Salazar went back to handling the everyday operations at our new American Boxing Academy, which for Glen also included putting on amateur cards in the park with our young talented amateur boxing team. After holding one of these events in Rizal Park Glen called me in the USA to give me the results. He was ecstatic about a new recruit of his that had gone out and Ko'd his experienced oppponent in the 1st round. Glen tolf me: "I think this is a boy who should be given a space at camp Ken." At American Boxing Academy we house, feed and provide for our selected elite boxers. the boxers live in a beautiful apartment building, train in a new gym with American trainer Norman Wilson, and eat a balanced diet, even some of them we put in school. We have had boxers from all over the Philippines competing for these positions. I was excited as Glen seemed impressed with this new ward of ours. The following month I returned to Digos City and my American Boxing Academy compound to take my team to the Philippine National Amateur boxing tournement in Iloilo City. Glen and my staff had spent a lot of time and effort traininng and preparing a team of 15 boys to take to IIoilo City to the Country's national championships {ABA finished in 3rd place out of 32 teams and 599 boxers}. When I arrived at traininng camp I was surprised to see the big boy from the mountain sitting with my best amateur fighters, but I paid little attention. we were preparing to board a bus for a long trip to the Nationals in Iloilo City, and as every boxer boarded I noticed the big guy getting on the bus with his bag. I called my assistant Glen over and asked him "What is the beginner doing with the team?" Glen proceeded to tell me "Ken this is the new guy I have been telling you about, the one who KO'd his guy in the park, and he has ko'd 2 more since then." So this is how Joebert De los Reyes came to us. Joebert did go to Iloilo City with ABA and compete in the Philippine National Amatuer boxing tourney, and he won a bronze medal after koing another opponent, before being ripped of by terrible judges in the semifinals against the eventual national champion.{this is the only fight Joebert has lost to date}. Joebert fought like a boy possesed like Joebert does everything from his training to his study, he does it with his heart. He works as if he has no other choice, that his life depends on it. Joebert really has inspired us all with his determination, and courage, he certainly was the most pleasing part of the 15 member Filipino team I took to the tournemant even we had others win gold and silver medals, Joebert's bronze was our finest prize. After returning from Iloilo Joebert was called back to his home in the mountains of Bansalan.I had already returned home to the USA, when I heard the terrible news that Joebert's family had lost everything, including their home to a terrible storm in the mountains. Joebert would have to leave boxing to go help his family rebuild. After about 2 weeks of Joebert being gone my staff and boxers took donated money and food to Joebert's family in the mountains. It was then that I was told that the plan for my 18 yr old future world champion was for him to go to work in the junk shop where he would be paid 40 pesos per day x 30 days = or about 1200pesos per month... This is when I decided maybe professional boxing was an option for this boy. I told him that he could earn 4000 pesos for 4 rounds, and maybe do this 2 times per month which would be equal to 8000pesos [he would have worked roughly 6 months in the junk shop to earn this}. Joebert is now 2-0 1ko, and scheduled to fight later this month again in GenSan. He has been able to help his family with his boxing earnings and has become a proud financial supporter to his family. The big boy is now showing the promise of a serious future challenger, thanks to his determination and the magic of American trainer Norman Wilson. Norman has taken a special liking to the boy, and the young fighter has improved considerably in the last year under Norman's watchful eye .Rey trains daily with world-rated Ramie Laput, and #1 Philippine fighter Fernando 'TaTa" Lumacad..Joebert De los Reyes is a success story already in my eyes. He would not take no for an answer. He would not go away quietly, he decided to stay and fight for his life . He is a proud Filipino, we should all be proud of him too.  |
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