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Pacquiao look-alike seeking int'l stardom By Dennis U. Eroa PhilBoxing.com Thu, 19 Jan 2012  HE looks like the legendary Manny Pacquiao, but the bigger question is can Al "Captain A" Sabaupan do a Pacman? Like the pound-for-pound king, the 23-year-old Sabaupan comes from humble beginnings. His father Prospero farms a small piece of land in Barangay Lubigan Jr in Sipocot, Camarines, Norte. Sabaupan's mother Richelda is a house wife in a large family of 10 kids. Amid the hardships, Sabaupan, just like the other dreamers before him, took the sport of boxing. Despite lacking in amateur experience, Sabaupan, a former track and field star during his high school days at the Bonbon National High School in Albay, gained a modest following with his no-nonsense style. He boxed infront of wild and wooly fans during various fiesta celebrations in Naga, Pili, Legazpi and other parts of Bicol. Young and old alike liked Sabaupan's style. A slugger, Sabaupan almost always flattened his foe to the delight of the sweaty crowd which flocked to the plaza and other makeshift venues. "I was a regular in every fiesta where there was a boxing tournament. My father always accompanied me and I fought bigger and heavier kids. I knew that by winning I would earn a small amount of money for our basic needs," recalled Sabaupan in Filipino. Due to lack of money, Sabaupan didn?t enter college. Like Pacquiao, he knew that he must find his place in the sun in the Big City. And in 2008, Sabaupan got his wish when a boxing afficionado introduced him to youthful Batangue?o sportsman-businessman Elmer Anuran, president of Saved by the Bell Promotions and owner of Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas. Known for his passion of getting boxers from the grassroots, Anuran didn?t hesitate in welcoming Sabaupan into his boxing stable which was bannered by former WBA super flyweight interim titleholder Drian "Golden Fists" Francisco. "It was clear that he didn?t have the basics, because he had no experience fighting as an amateur. But I can sense his desire to succeed," recalled Anuran, who put Sabaupan under the watchful eyes of veteran drillmaster Benny dela Pe?a. Anuran noted that Sabaupan has a big fighting heart. "Even during sparring, Al never backed off. He was up against veteran members of Touch Gloves but Al didn?t give up an inch," said Anuran. Anuran saw great potential in his ward. Slowly but surely, Sabaupan piled wins. A lightweight, Sabaupan now sports an umblemished 18-0, 13 KOs, while fighting for Saved by the Bell Promotion. He is now the reigning International Boxing Federation Pan Pacific champion and is ranked no. 4 by the IBF and No.6 by the WBA. Among his foreign victims were Wonphichit Twins Gym, Heri Andriyanto and Josafat Perez. Anuran believes that Sabaupan is ripe to fighting outside the Philippines. Saved by the Bell teamed up with Mexico?s Zanfer Promotions to help Sabaupan?s stint abroad. With the help of Zanfer under Fernando Beltran, Sabaupan is slated to show his stuff February 19 at the Palenque dela Feria in Durango, Mexico. Sabaupan and his clash against a still to be named Mexican fighter will be the main supporting bout in the WBO title bout between Jorge Arce and Giovanni Pineda. Among the names being floated by Zanfer are world-class fighter Ricardo Dominguez (34-8, 21 KOs) and another Mexican fighter known for his never-say die stance. "This is going to be a huge step for Al as he attempts to gain international recognition. He needs to show the world that he has the tools to be a world champion someday,? stressed Anuran. "There is no doubt that a convincing win will lead to more fights abroad," said Anuran. Presently, the fighter is holed up in Baguio City where he is building his stamina. He trains daily at the Shape-Up Gym along with fellow Touch Gloves members Jun Doliges and Roberto Gonzales. In an interview, Sabaupan vowed to post an impressive win in front of Mexican ring fans, who are known for their passion. This will be the first time that the farm boy from Bicol will trade punches outside the Philippines. But Captain A isn?t afraid rather excited that slowly but surely his time to shine is becoming a reality. "Bring it on. It will be shame if a look-alike of our pambansang kamao will not make the country proud," Sabaupan said. This is bad news for Sabaupan?s future opponent. Photo: Al Sabaupan (R) poses with Trainer Freddie Roach. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dennis U. Eroa.  |
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