It was a tearful experience for the four Mandaue City boxers who were greeted warmly on the streets during the parade and by the officials at City Hall during the Awarding Ceremony yesterday.
Despite the scorching heat during the one hour and thirty minute motorcade around the city, Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) bantamweight champion Malcolm Tu?acao, super-featherweight king Randy Suico, mini-flyweight title-holder Rodel Mayol and No.1 Z Gorres seemed happy with the all-out support from the Mandauehanons, who lined up in the streets as the caravan of vehicles slowly moved.
“It was a great honor for us to be feted this much despite of our lesser achievements,” said the former WBC flyweight champion Tu?acao after climbing down the red Ford F 150.
Tu?acao could not compare the feelings when he was also afforded the same fair in 2001 when he won the WBC flyweight title.
“Back then, it was just a formality because I came home a world champion.
People would want to shake hands and greet a champion. But now I am just a lesser (OPBF) champion but still, they welcomed my achievement with much zeal and ardor.
It’s the sincerity of the people’s gestures that almost made me cry,” added the 27-year-old resident of Cambaro, Mandaue City.
“I will always be a Mandauehanon and the support they have afforded to us, especially me, is very great. I could not ask for more,” said the 24-year-old Gorres, who was feted for giving Mandaue City an honor internationally when he reduced Mexican Alfredo Tirado into a human punching bag last Feb. 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A day after Mandaue City will hold its annual fiesta celebration, Mandaue City will be abuzz with the result of Mayol’s quest for the world title.
Challenge
The 24-year-old resident of Alang-Alang will challenge Japan based Thai fighter Eagle Kyowa for the WBC 105-pound title in Japan.
“Let me cherish this moment because this tremendous support our fellow Mandauehanon gave us is a very wonderful experience. But I just wish for your prayers that I may be able to bring home the WBC world championship belt on May 8,” added the WBC No.1 minimum-weight contender, who smothered Mexican Lorenzo Trejo in his homeland during the “Night of the Champions” fight in Cancun City, Mexico last Jan. 28.
