Early September Filipino Boxing Updates

Pacquiao Training Camp

Philippine boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao's training has hit another bump when he suffered flu like symptoms. As a result Pacquiao was unable to train for two days in order to recover from the flu and resume his training.

Fortunately for Pinoy boxing fans, Pacquiao seems to have recovered well enough from the flu and was even able to play a game of basketball with some members of the media. Once again, this brought new criticism on Pacquiao for risking injury by playing basketball when he should be recovering from the effects of the flu.

However, the flu did not seems to cause any serious damage as the Philippine boxing icon felt good enough on Monday and was able to do some sparring. He sparred a total of six rounds with Mexican Raymund Beltran and Filipino Arnel Tinampay at the RWS Gym. Pacquiao was also able run the flatland of the IT Park in front of the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug before his sparring session.


Gejon Fails to Dethrone Niida

Pinoy boxing prospect Eriberto Gejon failed in his bid to win a fourth title for the Philippines when he lost by unanimous decision to reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) minimum-weight champion, Yutaka Niida of Japan.

This bout was the second meeting between the two pugilist as tthey met for the first time on September 2005. Niida defeated Gejon by split decision in this first meeting when the fight was stopped in the tenth round due to a cut in Gejon's head.

Niida improved greatly from the first meeting and was able to repeatedly connected with strong left hooks and overhand rights throughout the contest which gave him the win. He improved his record to 22-1-3, including eight knockouts while Gejon dropped to 23-2-1, with 14 KOs.

All is not lost for Gejon, as he is till one of the top Philippine boxing prospects. He is also a tall fighter so moving upon in weight to the flyweight division is a good option. He will still retian his height and reach advantage in that division.


Nietes to Fight for World Title

Donnie Nietes, another Filipino boxing rising star, will try to win the vacant WBO world Minimumweight Title on September 30. He will battle undefeated Pornsawan Kratingdaenggym of Thailand at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

The 25-year-old Nieties hails from Bacolod City and holds a record of (19-1-311 KO's ) He is the No. 1 WBO minimumweight contender and this will be his first title shot. His opponent, Kratingdaenggym has an impressive record of of 20 wins and is the WBO No. 3 contender.

This promotion is loaded with Pinoy boxing talent as it includes AJ “Bazooka” Banal who will take on Mexico's Jovanny “Bambino” Soto for the WBO Youth super flyweight championship. Robert Allanic will clash with In-Suk Song of South Korea in a WBO Asia Pacific bantamweight title fight. Also insluded is Philippine flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes defends his title against former Olympian Danilo Lerio.