Boxing has long been one of our most popular sports although it is universally agreed that other forms of athletics notably basketball have intruded upon its popularity.
The inevitable rise to fame however of the hottest ticket named Manny Pacquiao consigned all other sports to the back burner for now.
But while our boxers have achieved world acclaim in winning championships in many weight divisions, examination of the records reveal that all the laudatory notices have been confined to the professionals.
Those who practice the sport as 'simon pures' have never ascended to the top platform at the awards ceremonies to claim an Olympic gold medal.
Such an abysmal showing by our amateur fighters has inversely rankled the boxing purists.
But these disgruntled followers of amateur boxing in tandem with the loyalists in the pro ranks could be mollified when the highly touted Sydney Olympian, Brian Viloria defends his world boxing council (WBC) light-flyweight crown against Omar Nino Romero on Aug. 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Viloria is in terrific form according to his consummate manager Gary Gittlesohn, adding that Omar could put up a credible challenge due chiefly to a first round knockout he inflicted on the celebrated Jorge Arce-- the reigning WBC flyweight boss no less.
Experts expect Romero to be at his very best for Brian (anyone fighting the speedy Ilocano has to step up else he becomes dead meat 'di ba?).
Brian, who is fondly called the Filipino Punch now lives and trains in Los Angeles after moving from Honolulu. He traces his roots to Narvacan, Ilocos Sur where he stayed with a doting Grampa before migrating to the United States where he finished a course in Journalism (broadcast communications major) at a Michigan college.
He is doing exceptionally well doing his thing at the Wild Card gym of his verbose coach-- Freddie Roach.
Speaking of Pacquiao's trainer extraordinaire, did you know Roach has been tight-lipped since getting a mouthful from Morales?
He has been awfully quiet after Erik lashed back for calling him a nasty loudmouth. One of the rare instances the "Hollywood Lip" shut his trap. Nothing Morales loves doing now except to seal Freddie's lips...
But that's another fight right?
Meanwhile, Pacquiao and Morales gear up for their overwhelmingly destructive finale at Vegas' Thomas & Mack Center-- a fitting finale to their legendary rivalry.
But it's quite a distance yet for their salivating fans.
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