Philippines, 01 Jul 2025
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


'KAPRE' CATCHES THE PACMAN'S EYES


PhilBoxing.com




-- General Santos City - On a night when newly-crowned International Boxing Organization (IBO) World Jr. Bantamweight Champion Edrin 'The Sting" Dapudong presented his champion's belt to Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, I decided to bring along a young fighter who I believe represents the future of Philippine boxing.

The tall 18-year-old boxer from Pres. Roxas town, Roskie "Kapre" Cristobal, 5' 11" in height with a record of 4 wins all of which came by KO in the first round, immediately caught the eye of the Pacman.

"Ang laki ng batang ito, ah! Magaling ba?," Manny asked me after sizing up Cristobal, a southpaw like him, who stood a good five inches taller than the 8-division world champion.

When told that the young Cristobal knocked out all of his first four opponents in the first round, Pacquiao said "Kapre" must be supported and given the best trainer to establish sound fundamentals in boxing.

Cristobal, who last fought in August last year, has been inactive for almost 10 months after he was downed by Dengue, a mosquito-borne disease prevalent in Mindanao and has caused the death of many people, especially children.

Today, he is preparing for his first fight this year, hopefully by the end of July or first week of August during the town fiesta of M'lang, North Cotabato, hometown of the new champion, Dapudong.

I told Manny that while it is still to early to conclude that Cristobal will be a world champion, I believe that the young boy's power, his shiftiness inside the ring in spite of his size and his determination to train hard and eagerness to fight, will make him an interesting boxer.

In the many years that I have been involved with boxing, I have always believed that there are two very important qualifications that a boxer must possess: heart and power.

These are two attributes which cannot be taught. All the rest can be developed. Durability and the ability to take a punch will only be known during the actual fights.

Cristobal, who is another product of the grassroots boxing program of North Cotabato, is expected to campaign in the welterweight division as he matures, although he is fighting as a lightweight now.

"Kailangan tutukan ito, bigyan ng magaling na trainer at conditioning coach para ma-develop," Manny said.

(There's a need to focus on this boy, he should be given a good trainer and conditioning coach so he will be developed.)

When Manny said that I knew that he saw something in the tall boy from North Cotabato which convinced him that Cristobal has a future in the sport.

After all, a gem cannot escape the eyes of an expert who has met and fought the best in the sport.

(Photo caption: Cristobal towers over the 5' 6" tall Manny Pacquiao and the 5' 5" tall Edrin Dapudong. Photo by Joshua Casimina)


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • MARIO BARRIOS LAS VEGAS MEDIA WORKOUT QUOTES
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • CATTERALL AND EUBANK LAY THEIR 'CARDS ON THE TABLE' AHEAD OF MANCHESTER SHOWDOWN
    , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Dumadag holds chess tourney
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 01 Jul 2025
  • Manny Pacquiao's Case for the Greatest of All Time
    By Ace Freeman, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • DavNor Adventure Race 2025 set July 2
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Gumila rules Antipolo rapid chess tilt
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • FULL CIRCLE AT WILD CARD: Jhay Otamias’ Tribute to a Fighter and a Fanbase
    By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Wins by 4th Round KO Over Sarawut Thawornkham to Capture the IBF Pan Pacific Super Flyweight Title
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Team USA's Quest for Gold Set in Stone at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • SBA SEASON 2 DRAFT UNVEILS RISING STARS AND STRATEGIC MOVES AS TEAMS COMPLETE THEIR ROSTERS
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Filipino Elwin Retanal wins Saudi rapid chess meet
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Mon, 30 Jun 2025
  • Jake Paul Earns Boxing Legitimacy with Dominant Decision Over Julio Cesar Chávez Jr.
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Zurdo Ramirez Defends Cruiserweight Crowns with Unanimous Decision Over Dorticos
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Vince Paras Faces Sarawut Thawornkham Today at Venue 88 in Gensan
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • USA Elite High Performance Team Sets Sights on Gold at World Boxing Cup: Astana 2025
    , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri bags silver in blitz
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sun, 29 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chavez Jr: Can Julio Derail Jake Paul?
    By Chris Carlson, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Dr. KO: Christian Mbilli Stops Maciej Sulecki in 1
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • GOLDEN BOY SIGNS UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BLUE-CHIP PROSPECT AMARI JONES
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Paul vs. Chávez Jr. is a Go: All Fighters Make Weight in Anaheim Ahead of High-Stakes Bout
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • IIEE Chessmasters Overall Champion in the International Bundesliga with GM Joey Antonio
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Kittipong of Thailand Battles Bhavesh of India in Brico Santig's Exciting Show in Bangkok
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Weights from Philadelphia
    , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Alekhine Nouri and John Jerish Velarde struck gold and bronze
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Sat, 28 Jun 2025
  • Would OKC Still Win the West If Dallas Had Not Traded Doncic?
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Fri, 27 Jun 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.