MABALACAT, Pampanga ? On any gi-ven weekend, several boxing promotions unfold simultaneously throughout the country.
Boxers of all ages and battle scars climb into the ring to fulfill dreams of a big paycheck or step on the fulcrum that will catapult them into glory. Older warriors simply plod along, tired of pursuing a dream that never happened and just hoping to earn a decent sum to put food on the table.
Promoters and managers take these weekend battles seriously as they pit their wards against any one willing to make a fight. It is also a time to assess the available talent and check if anyone has the potential to make that long arduous journey to boxing fame and fortune.
On a hot and humid Saturday night in April, the plush Xavera community complex in this Pampanga town is the host for a 70-round fight card.
This is not your typical fight night in a crowded plaza in the province. The surroundings are a sign of things to come, though?a residential area that will house the municipal government offices, a church, a school and even a theme park. The boxing show is a project of Mayor Marino Morales and Globe Asiatique Realty and should usher in other activities like concerts, corporate events and religious gatherings.
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A lively crowd of 1,500 relishes the card marked by abbreviated fights. Long and lean featherweight Resty Pandi scores a first round TKO win against Jayvee Manago and Jeffrey Cerna pummels Mark Vizco into submission in the four-round curtain raisers. These baptisms of fire reveal courage and talent which are in a fighter or are really never there.
Fight experts take a sharper look at the 10-round battles in the card because these define boxing futures. A fighter is either on the threshold of a trip abroad or is destined to remain in weekend fight limbo. The cell phones of managers like Aljoe Jaro seem to be busier during these parts of the fight night.
Michael Landero of the Wild Card Boxing Gym of Para?aque unleashes a wicked right hand that floors Quilver Cailing in 1:26 of the opening round while Eden Sonsona scores a unanimous decision against a game but raw Anthony Esmedina of La Trinidad, Benguet.
In the main event between rated welterweight contenders and Kapampangans, Dan Nazareno Jr. knocks out Yuri Noda in the third round.
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You immediately sense that these weekend warriors are on the way up or on the ride down. Most are inspired to follow Manny Pacquiao but the Pacman has cast a huge shadow as well. The level of skill must be outstanding to prompt promoters to touch their cell phones and connect with counterparts abroad. Potential is not enough to stir excitement.
Seasoned boxing man Moy Lainez, who has been a manager, promoter and analyst, says that Pacquiao wannabes have to work as hard as him to get even a glimmer of his limelight.
And often you see that lack of dedication in those who cannot even throw a jab despite a height advantage or who dazzle with a flurry of punches but land nothing decisive.
Lainez even reveals boxers who claim they had done their road work but had actually just sprinkled a few drops of water on their faces before going back to the gym!
Boxing fame begins by shinning brightly in weekend fights. And to do that means hitting the punching mitts, banging a heavy bag, sparring with an imaginary opponent and dealing with the loneliness of hitting the road at the break of dawn.
