Philippines, 26 Jun 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


TAMPA DIARY (DAY 2)


PhilBoxing.com


TAMPA, Florida -- I began the day nursing a throbbing headache, a malady directly caused by jet lag, sleep deprivation and, ahem, a little intoxication. But like an NBA player who dutifully plays hurt, I did leave enough strength and sense to write my stories.

After meeting my deadlines, I wandered around the Hyatt Regency, where a menagerie of spectacular sights soothed my weary eyes.

I saw Shane Mosley hitching a ride in the escalator. I met Winky Wright at the lobby, he wore clothes fit for two people. I also chanced upon Bernard Hopkins mindlessly leafing through the pages of a magazine at the Golden Boy Promotions media room.

At sometime aorund 10 am, Salven Lagumbay of Cebu Daily News, the Inquirer and Philboxing.com joined me for a few laps at the Hyatt hotel pool. Amazingly, Salven was a good swimmer, a sort of Mark Spitz, who waded the waters with effortless grace.

Joining us for lunch was the man himself, Philboxing.com founder Dong Secuya. We ate at the Avanzare lounge. Salven had chicken, I gorged on a hamburger, while Dong, looking chic in a cordoroy blazer, had another one of those vegetarian delights.

Much of the day was occupied by the official weigh-in, the anticipation of and the work that would entail following the event. At the weigh-in I saw more camera bulbs flash than a Tom Cruise wedding. It's where Dong Secuya is often at his best, freezing timeless moments from various angles.

We dispersed from the Hyatt ballroom at 5:10 pm. Salven darted off to update the Philboxing.com website while Dong retreated to his room to edit the pictures he just took. I took a different path and followed BoomBoom everywhere, chronicling his every move.

The rush slowed down to a canter by 7:30 pm. Salven and I went back to the Avanzare lounge for dinner. He had blackened chicken with rice and I had skewered shrimp plus a bowl of clam chowder soup. He had diet Coke. I sipped rum and Coke.

Edito "Ala" Villamor and BoomBoom Bautista joined us later. They each had clam chowder soup.

With expectations of an even more hectic day today, I went back to my room at around 9:40 pm. I watched a little NBA on TV, made a few calls before putting the lights out.

(Homer Sayson is SunStar Cebu's hugely popular sports columnist, and DYAB's top sports analyst based in Chicago. For compliments and threats, email him at Homsay@hotmail.com)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Homer D. Sayson.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Highland Boxing Promotions Presents "Warrior Showdown" in Bangkok on June 27
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Usyk reportedly considering retirement but could face Kabayel before the year ends
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Luke Littler and Ben Whittaker join forces as Matchroom Sport takes over New York City
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
    , Thu, 25 Jun 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
    , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 24 Jun 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • ZAYAS AND BOOTS KICK-OFF FIGHT WEEK WITH STORMY FIRST FACE-OFF IN BROOKLYN
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Santisima, Apolinar stop foes
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • BOOTS: I FEEL GREAT AT 154
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Bohat is PBF Silver bantamweight champion
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Mexican Boxing Olympic Team returns with bronze medal from Guiyang 2026
    , Tue, 23 Jun 2026
  • Lastimosa is PBF Youth light fly champ
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 22 Jun 2026
  • Undefeated Unified Champion Oscar “El Pupilo” Collazo Claims WBO International Flyweight Title, Stops Neider Valdez in Two Rounds
    , Sun, 21 Jun 2026




  •  



     
    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
    © 2026 philboxing.com.