Philippines, 28 Feb 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:

  • Nuñez vs Navarrete: Knuckle Up for a Certified Banger
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • ‘There's no way I'm going to lose’ -- Holly McMath looks to make a statement in high-stakes trilogy fight
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGHTS, RUNNING ORDER AND FINAL WORDS FOR NAVARRETE VS. NUNEZ
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • WEIGH-IN RESULTS FOR MANNY PACQUIAO PROMOTIONS: PIERCE VS. PARRA
    , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Former US President Obama will donate Ali gloves to his presidential library
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Sat, 28 Feb 2026
  • Almacen Brothers Make Weight, Ready for Battle in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Four United States Women's Boxers Shine Bright on Day Four of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Matthew James Sugatan wins Flash-ADV 160 9-Ball Tournament at Pacman's Cue Club; pockets P30,000
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Weights From ProBoxTV’s ‘Vazquez vs. Machuca’ at College Park Center in the University of Texas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Ethan Matthew Gabriel tops Boscolympics 2026 Grade School chess meet
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • Boxing Legend & Hall of Famer Roy Jones Jr. Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 27 Feb 2026
  • IM Christian Gian Karlo Tade - Arca outwits GM Pa Iniyan in Round 6 of the Manny Pacquiao International Open chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • San Francisco Boxing Leaders Bring It Back: FIGHT NIGHT AT ROCCAPULCO
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Alyssa Mendoza, Salim Ellis-Bey and Kelvin Watts Secure Wins on Day Three of 2026 Strandja Boxing Tournament
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Herlan Gomez faces Dekang Wang for WBA Asia Superbamtam Title Today in Kunming, China
    By Carlos Costa, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Queensberry Promotions to sue SELA and TKO?
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • IBA President Umar Kremlev promises prize money for boxers at LA 2028 if the IOC doesn’t change their policy towards athletes’ rewards
    , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Ruben Castillo, The uncrowned champion passes away
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Thu, 26 Feb 2026
  • Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Return of Ryan Garcia
    By Mauricio Sulaimán, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • “It’s moments a kid dreams off.” Sam Rennie returns for title challenge March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • ‘It’s going to be a great fight and most importantly looking forward to the 10 pints together after it’ Billy Quinncroft challenges for Cruiserweight title March 13 in Perth – Thunderdome 53
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Magdalena Contreras Municipality and WBC start "Boxing for Peace" in Mexico
    By Gabriel F. Cordero, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • United States Captures Four More Wins on Day Two of Strandja 2026 Boxing Tournament
    , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Date set for Manny-Money 2
    By Joaquin Henson, , Wed, 25 Feb 2026
  • Knockout Artist Sugar Martinez (17-0, 17 KOs) Makes His US Debut Against Philly Veteran Daiyan Butt
    , Wed, 25 Feb 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.