LAST TUESDAY we wrote about the second chance that Czar Amonsot is getting as he fights for the world championship on July 21 against Australian Michael Katsidis in Las Vegas.
Actually, several Filipino boxers are getting golden opportunities. The World Cup between Mexico and the Philippines which was supposed to be held in Cebu is finally pushing through, although the venue will now be the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California on August 11. We would have preferred it if Tony Aldeguer and Sammy Gello-Ani were able to swing the deal here because it would have really put us on the map.
However, the hesitation of corporate sponsors in putting in money in fights other than those featuring Manny Pacquiao has been very frustrating. “Siguristas” that they are, they fail to see the forest for the trees and will someday regret their unwillingness to invest on our other boxers.
Which is why we’re keeping our fingers crossed that our boys will do well and bring home that 0,000 gem-encrusted cup. We’re going to be pinning our hopes on BoomBoom Bautista as he goes for it all against Daniel Ponce de Leon. De Leon was the same guy who ran into Gerry Pe?alosa last March expecting a cakewalk against the smaller Filipino, but almost regretted having taken the fight.
He’s going to face someone his own size now, younger and stronger albeit not as experienced. But this is what BoomBoom has been preparing and aching for. This is his big chance at proving his critics wrong who say he’s not ready for the big time. Bautista is a conscientious worker who packs a wallop and does everything that needs to be done in the gym. He’s as prepared as he can be.
Pe?alosa will also seize the day as he goes back to the weight he is comfortable with. Fighting as a bantamweight, he is at his best.
Even with his relatively advanced age, Gerry has shown that he still has what it takes to be considered a serious threat to any fighter in his class. He’s been hungry for a title for so long he can taste it.
Z Gorres whom we thought should have won that “Battle of Cebu” earlier this year against Fernando Montiel, will face Gerson Guerrero in an IBF Super Flyweight eliminator. This time he vows not to be robbed. The wily tactician has also been in feverish preparations for the fight.
AJ “Bazooka” Banal, whose career we have been following the past couple of years as we see vast potential in his two-fisted attack, will fight for the second time in the US against Eric Ortiz, a one-time world light-flyweight titleholder who was knocked out by Brian Viloria almost two years ago. He has since bounced back, and will be a good test for the “Bazooka”.
Bert Batawang and Michael Domingo will also have their own Mexican foes in Francisco Rosas and Miguel Roman, respectively.
We’re happy to report that our information is that ABS-CBN has agreed to air the matches. I guess it’s the next best thing to having the World Cup here in the Philippines.
Meanwhile, next week, on July 7, Florante Condes of Binangonan will test the mettle of IBF Minimumweight champion Muhammad Rachman in the latter’s territory, Indonesia.
Condes is one of the hardest hitting little guys we have ever laid eyes on. He is managed by former boxer Aljoe Jaro.
Veteran writer/broadcaster Ronnie Nathanielsz reports that Rodel Mayol, whom we saw almost snatch the crown from Eagle Kyowa in Japan last year, will get another crack at the crown held by Edgar Sosa in the undercard of the Erik Morales-Juan Diaz lightweight title fight on August 4 in Chicago. Here’s another guy who deserves a second chance.
Another exciting Aljoe Jaro boy, Bernabe Concepcion is also reportedly going to see action in the same card against Gabriel Elizondo for the vacant NABF Super Bantamweight championship.
American President Bill Clinton was once quoted saying,”The God I believe in is a god of second chances.” Thank God for that.
