It’s crystal ball time again as we make our 2005 forecast and resolutions for boxing. We’ll start from the top as we check out Cebu’s best bets for a world title (not in any order).
OPBF super featherweight champ Randy Suico’s shot at a world title will all depend on what Marco Antonio Barrera intends to do with his newly-acquired belt. If Barrera holds on to it, he’s expected to defend it (and easily win) over top-ranked Mzonke Fana. I’m not sure how much influence Akihiko Honda’s Teiken Promotions can pull with Barrera as champ, but this waiting time must be used wisely by Randy Suico to work on three key aspects of his game: defense, more use of the left jab and convert to become a compete boxer.
OPBF minimumweight champion Rodel Mayol will defend his title on January 29 against Phalanchai Sor Vorapin, but may encounter difficulty getting a crack at the WBC title despite the promises made by the WBC’s top brass to Stonewall Boxing Gym’s Terry Carter and Joy Ouano. Since brand new WBC world champ Isaac Bustos’s win was partly given on a silver platter when defending champ Eagle Kyowa had to quit due to an injury, we can expect the Japanese camp to push for a rematch after Bustos defends his title. Let’s hope this is against Mayol. With the Stonewall Gym’s shaky relationship with Teiken (which has a lot of influence in the lower weight divisions), we can expect Rodel’s shot to be stalled anew unless Stonewall finds a partner who can outspend Akihiko Honda.
Yuka Gejon will finally get his shot at Yutaka Niida’s WBA minimumweight belt sometime in the first quarter and could become Cebu’s first world champ in 2005. But in order to do this, he’ll have to work double time in the gym to work on his power. He’ll need to score a convincing win to come home with the belt since fighting in Japan is no joke if the fight reaches the full route.
OPBF welterweight champion Rev Santillan is reportedly being eyed to challenge for the WBC title this year, but the timing is too early as the Gentle Giant is not yet ready for this. He continues to be the same uni-dimensional boxer who relies only on the power of his left hand to get the job done. He ought to continue defending his OPBF belt this year and develop his over-all boxing savvy before even thinking about challenging for the world championship.
Things should like brighter for the ALA Gym. Z Gorres (OPBF # 1) will get the much-needed international exposure when he sees action in the undercard of the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch on February 26. He should be taking over the OPBF superflyweight division this year unless Rudy Salud decides to focus on the US market.
WBO Asia Pacific champ Bautista will have his hands full defending his title against South Africa’s Vuyisile Bebe on January 29 before continuing to tackle the international market for the rest of the year. With invitations from Australia and the U.S., Boom Boom won’t have any problems taking on fights. The main problem he’ll face is how not to get entangled with all the attention he’s receiving. The ALA management also knows very well that they don’t want to rush things for the 18-year old phenom who still has a lot of things to learn.
WBF super lightweight champ Dindo Casta?ares will be busy earning his paychecks, defending his title in Australia and maybe New Zealand where he’s now a star in his own right. The only real obstacle to Dindo’s success as a boxer is actually himself and he knows it. I just hope he doesn’t ruin himself (again) after being on top with his WBF championship.
I’d like to see Bert Batawang challenge for the WBA light flyweight crown since he isn’t getting any younger, but at the same time, I’d also like to see him defending his WBA Pan African title. The world title will be a long shot so he ought to have fun and make as much money as he can defending his title.
Malcolm Tunacao is as good as finished if he doesn’t make a sincere effort to go back to the gym. He is the country’s biggest waste of talent who unfortunately doesn’t have any direction these days.
Before the year ends, we should be seeing new Cebu-based Philippine champions in Jojo Bardon (light flyweight), Caesar Amonsot (featherweight), Federico Catubay (flyweight), and Dexter Delada (super featherweight). Elmer Gejon and Dondon Sultan will hold on to their championships.
As a whole, Cebu Boxing will end 2005 by dominating the country’s boxing scene again. We’ll have at least one top-level world champ (WBC or WBA) aside from Dindo’s WBF title aside from a host of regional titles (OPBF, WBO Asia Pacific, WBF Asia Pacific) and Philippine title belts. ***
Time-out: Congratulations to the Black Team for winning the Metro Sports Christmas Badminton Fun Games. The Light Blue team took second place while our Indigo team led by Jigs Ty came in a respectable third.
