NEVADA WON’T EVEN CONSIDER AN ESPINOSA LICENSE
San Francisco, CA-Last week on “Ring Talk Radio,” the Executive Director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission Marc Ratner stated that he would respect California’s decision to permanently retire Luisito Espinosa. Since Espinosa is only retired in California, conceivably “King Louie” could apply elsewhere for a license. However, when asked if he would consider licensing the former two-division champion, Ratner said, “I wouldn’t license him.” Nevada, which is regarded as the top boxing commission in the country, usually has the final say when it comes to licensing and regulations.
ROB PETERS IS MANNY PACQUIAO’S ENFORCER!
One of the major criticisms after Manny Pacquiao lost to Erik Morales in their first fight was that his training camp—the Wild Card Gym in Hollywood—was swarmed everyday with loyal Pacman-maniacs looking for a glimpse of their champion. Instead of working on a game plan to defeat Morales, Pacquiao was putting on spectacular sparring sessions. He was forced to perform for the crowd instead of his trainer Freddie Roach. In addition, fans would interrupt some workouts with requests for autographs, and even asking to be his personal driver.
BEING “THE ENFORCER” AIN’T EASY!
Enter Rob Peters, a long time friend of Freddie, who was hired to keep the peace at the Wild Card Gym. In an email Peters noted that, “Since there was so much turmoil in Manny’s camp during the first Morales fight, Freddie recognized that there was a problem and he tried to solve it.” He went on to say that Manny did not want to go off to training camp in Arizona because L.A. was his U.S. hometown. His job was to keep the gym “private, and to keep people away from Manny while he trains”.
ICON-LIKE MANNY PACQUIAO HAS THINGS EASIER!
Working the last two Pacquiao fights (Hector Velazquez and Erik Morales), Peters sees that Pacquiao has “responded (to the quieter gym) and proved his maturity level is beyond expectations.” He expects Pacquiao to get even better as his career progresses. Peters, who accepts his role as the “bad guy” of Team Pacquiao, only regrets that he couldn’t get Pacquiao to his suite to ice his hurting hands immediately after his recent win. Pacquiao’s hands were treated later, and no serious injury was sustained.
FIRST UNDERDOG FILIPINO FIGHTS
Diosdado “Prince” Gabi will challenge undefeated IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan on a March 3rd ShoBox card. Gabi, from North Catabato Philippines, will be the underdog against Darchinyan, who holds an impressive 24-0 (19 KOs) record. Filipino fighters, so far, have gone undefeated in 2006 when facing some of the top contenders around the world. However, each fighter has gone in as the favorite, and was expected to win. That is not the case for Gabi, 26-2-1 (18 KOs), who is a relatively unknown southpaw. Gabi will attempt to become the only Filipino citizen to currently hold a recognizable championship belt. Both fighters have good knockout ratios for a pair of southpaw 112 lbers. Darchinyan is already looking past Gabi to a possible fight against WBC interim champ, Jorge Arce. If that’s the case, the younger Gabi may have a better shot to upset the champion.
WHERE IS ROLANDO BOHOL TODAY?
In the past 20 years, the flyweight division in the Philippines has been hot. In 1987 popular IBF flyweight champion, Dodie Boy Penalosa, brother of ex-champion Gerry Penalosa, lost his title to South Korean Chan Ho Choi via 11th round TKO. This was a disappointing loss for Penalosa’s fans because Choi, 13-2 (11 KOs) at the time, was seen as a lesser foe than the two-division champion (Penalosa held the light-fly belt prior). However, in Choi’s first defense, he was beaten by Filipino Rolando Bohol, by split decision over 15 rounds, in the Philippines.
LACK OF “PUNCHING POWER” DIDN’T HELP!
Bohol made one defense of his title, which was a 15 round unanimous decision, then lost his IBF crown in England against Duke McKenzie, an undefeated 20 & 0 fighter at the time. Bohol never won a title again, but did face some in the early nineties like Junior Jones, Gerry Penalosa, Dodie Boy Penalosa, Orlando Canizales, and Johnny Tapia. He ended his career 34-12-3 (7 KOs) after four title fights. Living in Hawaii, Bohol is now in the hotel industry, and is the director for the Hawaii International Youth Goodwill Games, which Hawaii will host in 2008.
QUICK JABS
Big props to Solar Sports, the Philippine television company, for stepping up and sending their team of commentators to both the Manny Pacquiao and Brain Viloria fights. Usually they relay the international feed to the audience in the Philippines, but recently they’ve sent top sports reporter Quinito Henson to the fights to give the play by play. Along with Henson, Pacquiao and Viloria have taken turns analyzing each other’s fights…Rodel Mayol will go to Japan to try to wrestle away the WBC title from Eagle Kyowa later in the spring. It’s safe to say that Mayol needs a knockout to leave Japan with the green belt…It’s too early to finalize any details when it comes to the future of Manny Pacquiao. Not only has one fight been reported to be set, but two fights as well. His victory over Morales isn’t even one month old yet.
Jason Aniel
Note: “The Pinoy” is featured exclusively at www.RingTalk.com. Any comments regarding this article can be left below.
