There were peaks and valleys in Philippine boxing last year. But whatever the news, it was consensus world featherweight champion Manny Pacquiao who hogged the spotlight as the country?s living symbol of hope.
Pacquiao, 26, was in the headlines for anything he did or didn?t do. He took a trip to New York to negotiate a TV deal with Home Box Office (HBO) executives last February. He battled Juan Manuel Marquez to a thrilling split draw in Las Vegas last May. He knocked out Fahsan 3-K Battery before over 25,000 fans in an open-air field in Taguig last month. He signed a 2-fight contract to face Marquez in a rematch on Feb. 26 and Erik Morales in July for a combined purse of $2.65 Million. He spent about P1 Million?what he earned in a day for filming segments in a reality boxing TV show? treating fans to an early Christmas on his birthday last Dec. 17. He became a celebrity endorser for a variety of products from socks to vitamins to sports apparel to energy drinks to liquor. He participated in the Philippine 9-ball billiards championships and made it to the semifinals. He was chastised for lacking the discipline to stay in shape. He was revered for his generosity and courage in the ring.
Here were the top 10 boxing stories in 2004.
Controversial draw. If only judge Burt Clements scored 10-6, as he should?ve, in the first round instead of 10-7, Pacquiao would?ve wrested the International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) featherweight crowns from Marquez last May. Clements lamented his error but couldn?t rectify the mistake as the final outcome was a split draw. Marquez was dropped thrice in the 1st round. Because it was a unification fight, the 3-knockdown rule was not in effect and the Mexican escaped an early disposal. Pacquiao fought with a swollen left hand starting the 2nd round and his big left toe developed a blister as the bout progressed. Marquez, a clinical counterpuncher, salvaged a draw in a gallant effort to avoid dethronement.
Sad ending for King Louie. Carlos Navarro was only seven years old when Luisito Espinosa made his pro boxing debut in 1984. And Navarro was 13 when Espinosa won the 1st of 2 world titles in 1989. The age gap was painfully evident as Navarro, 27, stopped Espinosa, 37, at 1:49 of the 7th round in Reno, Nevada, last July. The defeat dropped Espinosa?s record to 47-12, with 26 KOs and was the 5th in his last 8 outings. It signaled the end of a colorful career.
Reemergence of the WBF. From the ashes of the World Boxing Federation emerged the phoenix that is the World Boxing Foundation. The WBF, reorganized by Mick Croucher and now based in Australia, made a strong push last year to give Third World fighters a chance to vie for championships. Before the year ended, Gerry Pe?alosa claimed the vacant superflyweight diadem and Dindo Castanares, the vacant superlightweight belt. A slew of Filipinos picked up WBF International titles like minimumweight Benjie Sorolla, flyweight Sukarno Banjao, bantamweight Kid Orais and welterweight Rey Pelonia.
Buhain steps in as GAB chairman. Former national swimmer Eric Buhain was appointed Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman, replacing Eduardo Villanueva. During Villanueva?s watch, Malaca?ang clamped down on frivolous spending for junkets. There were accusations of anomalies involving GAB officials but no formal charges were ever filed. Rumors flew far and wide about “ghost” cards, “fake” fighters going overseas under assumed names, kickbacks for favors in designating incompetent judges for foreign assignments, turning a blind eye to mismatches here and abroad, illegal matchmaking and commissions for issuing licenses to would-be TNTs. Buhain has his work cut out for him. The GAB budget is limited so it will be unfamiliar territory for Buhain who wallowed in dough as Philippine Sports Commission chairman. If Buhain is to make his mark, he?s got to crack the whip and instill much-needed discipline and integrity within the GAB ranks.
Rising stars. Easily the hottest prospects as future world champions are flyweight Diosdado (Prince) Gabi, superflyweight Z Gorres and bantamweight Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista. They?re clearly first class. Gabi, 25, boasts a 23-2-1 record with 18 KOs and has won his last 10 outings, 8 inside the distance. Gorres, 22, has a record of 19-1-1 with 10 KOs while Bautista, 19, totes an unblemished mark of 12-0 with 9 KOs.
Roach clinics. Former World Boxing Council (WBC) secretary-general Rudy Salud sponsored a 2-day clinic for renowned trainer Freddie Roach to share his knowledge of the Sweet Science with fighters, trainers, managers, promoters and ring officials at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium last month. It was free-to-the-public and hundreds learned from Roach?s vast experience as a fighter and maker of champions.
Visits to Manila. Ring Magazine editor Nigel Collins came to Manila to personally award the featherweight championship belt to Pacquiao last March. A few weeks later, another foreign visitor Harold Gomes arrived as the special guest and recipient of the Flash Elorde Memorial Trophy at the annual Boxing Awards Night at the Dusit Hotel in Makati. Gomes, 70, was dethroned as world junior lightweight champion by Elorde in 1960.
Four OPBF champions. As the year came to a close, four Filipinos reigned as Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champions?minimumweight Rodel Mayol, superfeatherweight Randy Suico, lightweight Dennis Laurente and welterweight Rev Santillan. Because of their titles, they?re all ranked in the top 10 of the WBC ratings. Mayol and Suico are No. 2, Laurente No. 7 and Santillan No. 4. Mayol?s record is 19-0 with 15 KOs. He?s due for a crack at the WBC 105-pound title held by Isaac Bustos of Mexico. Mayol is ranked No. 6 by the IBF and may challenge champion Muhammad Rachman of Indonesia if Bustos proves uncooperative. Suico has a 20-1 record with 17 KOs. He lost a split decision to Mzonke Fana in South Africa last May despite scoring two knockdowns but stormed back to halt Ibrahim Arobi in Cebu five months later. Laurente?s record is 22-2-4 with 11 KOs. He?s fresh from scoring a majority decision over Chikashi Inada in Tokyo to retain his OPBF crown. Santillan packs a 20-2-1 record with 15 KOs and has won his last 6 outings, 3 in Japan.
Breakthrough in South Africa. No Filipino had ever won in faraway South Africa until Philippine lightflyweight titlist Bert Batawang came along. Last November, the lanky southpaw stopped previously unbeaten Sithembele Kibiti at 1:58 of the 7th round for the vacant WBA Pan African throne. The win raised Batawang?s record to 32-11-3 with 25 KOs. Batawang, 28, has won 10 of his last 11 bouts, the only setback a split decision to Shingo Yamaguchi for the OPBF title in Tokyo last August. Previous Filipino losers in South Africa included Tiger Ari, Randy Suico, Eric Chavez and Wendel Janiola.
World title fights. Filipinos figured in only five world title fights last year. Pacquiao retained his consensus featherweight crown on a split draw with Marquez. Joma Gamboa was knocked out in the 2nd round by WBC lightflyweight ruler Jorge Arce in Mexico City last January. Juanito Rubillar lost a unanimous 12-round decision to Arce in Tijuana last September. Pe?alosa knocked out Bangsaen Sithpraprom in the 6th round for the WBF superflyweight title at the Casino Filipino Amphitheater last November. And Castanares stopped Guillermo Mosqueda in the 4th round in New Zealand for the WBF superlightweight crown last December. There were also five world championship bouts involving Filipinos in 2003.
A milestone event in 2004 was the staging of a black-tie dinner fight card at the NBC Tent in Taguig last May. The Springboard Foundation netted about P2 Million in the charity show for underprivileged children. An auction of sports memorabilia preceded the main event which saw Mayol beat Ernesto Rubillar to retain his OPBF crown.
On a final note, it must be pointed out that boxing enjoyed a resurgence of popularity as a TV sport last year. Solar Sports took the Pacquiao-Marquez fight to the top of the ratings. Weekly boxing shows like “Fistorama,” “In This Corner,” “Ringside”and “Main Event” kept fans glued to their sets. This year, “Battle Royal” featuring Mindanao fighters and hosted by North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pi?ol makes its debut on the NBN network. More and more foreign fights are being aired as boxing takes a front seat in the ratings game.
The signs are evident for a bigger year in boxing in 2005.
