January 2008 Philippine Boxing Updates

Pacman vs. Hitman

These past few weeks, there has been a lot of buzz about a possible super fight between Pinoy boxing star, Manny Pacquiao and British boxing star, Ricky Hatton.

Since Ricky Hatton is about the same height as Manny and has a two inch reach disadvantage, some people have argued that it would be a good match up. In terms of weight, Pacquaio had weighed in at around 140 lbs. at fight time, which is around Hatton's usual weight.

This is not a good match up in my opinion because even if both fighters are of the same height, I don't think that they are of the same size and weight. Hatton would be the natural bigger man and has a big advantage in size. Pacman weighed at about 140 at the night of some of his fights but I think Hatton for his part weighed over 150 lbs in most of his fights. hatton has also been known to balloon in weight before fight training.

Furthermore, Hatton has been fighting at 140 lbs and more for most his career and is used to taking shots from fighters in this weight class. On the other hand, Manny has fought from 106 lbs to 130 lbs, and fighting at 140 lbs would diminish his speed. Let's face it, Manny's speed is a huge factor in his success as a boxer.

Of course, this fight can bring a lot of money to both fighters because of their huge fan base and it is an exciting match up as both fighters love to mix it up. However, Pacquiao faces big disadvantages against Hatton so I don't think that this fight would happen. On the other hand, if Manny wins convincingly against Marquez, then anything can happen.


Gerry, Boom Boom and AJ

Gerry Penalosa is scheduled to defend his bantamweight title against Ratanachai Sor Vorapin on March 2 at the Araneta Coliseum. About seven years ago, Gerry knocked Sor Vorapin out in six rounds in a minor title defense. However, Sor Vorapin has stayed active since then and has manged to win the WBO bantamweight title. he lost the title to Jhonny Gonzalez who in turn lost it to Gerry last year.

Pinoy boxing prospects Banal and Bautista have been scheduled to fight in the undercard of this boxing event. Banal has kept his winning streak alive while Bautista is on the comeback trail after suffering his first lost. I hope our fighters can come up with victories this March and continue the success Philippine boxing has experienced last year.

Pinoy Boxing Team Captures Boxing World Cup!!!

The Philippine boxing team won five of the six bouts at stake at the 'World Cup' of Boxing held at the Arco Arena. The grand boxing event was held in front of a highly-partisan crowd of 4,469 screaming fans for both countries.

Pinoy boxing has solidified its position as the world's boxing superpower by snatching the title away from long-reigning Mexico. As you probably know, Mexico has been the breeding ground for great boxing talents for several decades.

Gerry Penalosa contributed the biggest win when he wrested the WBO bantam title from Mexican champ Jhonny Gonzalez with a come-from-behind knockout win. He hit Gonzales with a paralyzing body shot in the seventh round.

However, it was Z Gorres who sealed the Filipinos' victory. He stopped former WBC champ Eric Ortiz with an eighth-round technical knockout to earn the fourth win for the Philippine boxing team.

Diosdado Gabi of Davao City was the first winner for Team philippines by earning an eight-round unanimous decision over Mexico's Jose Angel Beranza. Michael Domingo then followed it up with a six-round masterful unanimous win over previously unbeaten Miguel Roman. The Domingo-Roman bout was considered one of the most exciting fight of the night and really excited the crowd for the main event.

Cebu's AJ 'Bazooka' Banal completed the five victories needed to secure the World Cup trophy by stopping Jorge Cardenas in the third round of their scheduled six-rounder. He dis[played great power and skill as he repeatedly hit his Mexican opponent with flushed shots culminating with an explosive counter that dropped Cardenas. Cardenas seems to have twisted his knee preventing him from standing up and continuing the fight.

However, the Pinoy boxing team did not sweet all six matches as Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista experienced a very painful first round KO defeat at the hands of Daniel Ponce de Leon. Bautista has expressed a desire to retire after this defeat so we have to wait and see if he decides to return to the ring. I hope he decides to continue his career as he is still young and this setback can make him a better fighter.

"World Cup" of Boxing Updates

According to Ed de la Vega, the Pinoy boxers that will be competing on the "World Cup" of boxing are all doing well with their training. Top Filipino boxing trainer Edito Villamor said, They" are all where they should be in terms of their preparation and weight.”

The Pinoy boxers are feeling less homesick because the heat wave in the Los Angeles basin is creating a muggy and humid weather. According to de la Vega, Michael Domingo shy and reserved since he is a first timer at the Wildcard Gym. However, he is keeping his focus on getting his job done at the bags and during sparring. Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista on the other hand, is eagerly looking forward to his title fight. Let us hope that his enthusiasm will translate into a win against Ponce de Leon.

There are a few changes to thebouts of the "world Cup" of Boxing. First Bert Batawang of Cebu will now take on Gerardo Verde in a 12-round IBF junior flyweight eliminator. Batawang was originally scheduled to face Francisco Rosas but that has been changed. Verde sports a record of 15-4, with 11 KO's.

It was al;so announced that Diosdado 'Prince' Gabi will face Mexican Jose Angel 'Pepe' Beranza in an 8-round encounter.The hard-hitting Beranza has a record of 30 wins, 9 losses, 2 draws with 25 KO's. He decisioned Filipino Vernie Torres in his last fight.

Happy Birthday Boom Boom!

Today, rising Pinoy boxing star and undefeated ALA Boy Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista turns 21. However, he cannot afford to spend a lot of his time in celebrations as he continues to train for his August 11 challenge of WBO superbantam king Daniel Ponce De Leon.

We Pinoy boxing fans don't have to worry as the birthday boy seems to be foceused on his mission. In fact, he placed 8th among thousands who participated in the annual DYAB 10-Kilometer Run in Cebu last Sunday. He even bested some professional runners on the way to a 37-minute clocking. The decent finish in the 10-K event is a welcome sign that the young boxing phenom is well on his way to being ready for De Leon.

Pacman Update

Yesterday, Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain revealed a plan to make Pacquiao's next fight as main attraction of the 45th World Boxing Council Convention which the country will host from November 11 to 17 this year. The next fight of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao against either Humberto Soto or undefeated Joan Guzman will be held in Manila if this plan pushes through .

Buhain said, "we have ongoing series of meetings with MP (Manny Pacquiao) Promotions about the possibility of bringing Manny's next fight in the country during the boxing convention and Manny is considering that proposal."

He also added that, "whoever will be the next opponent of Manny would remain a big attraction during the World Boxing Convention and, hopefully, we can bring his next fight here in Manila again.

Buhain and his staff will have another meeting on Tuesday morning. However, this time it might be with Pacquiao himself who returned on Monday from the United States where he received the prestigious Boxer of the Year award from a group of American boxing writers.

The big boxing match will be held at the Araneta Coliseum, if Pacquiao's handlers, including Arum, agreed to GAB's proposal.Pacquiao defeated Mexican Oscar Larios on July 2, 2006 at the same venue.

Philippine Boxing Updates

Respected boxing trainer Edito Villamor and WBO Asia-Pacific lightweight king Czar Amonsot are scheduled to depart for the US on Tuesday. They hope to continue Amonsot's training at Freddie Roach's Wild Card Gym. They will take the Cebu-Manila-Las Vegas route, and will take the almost six-hour drive to the City of Angels.

On July 21, the ALA Boy Amonsot is to challenge WBO interim lightweight king Michael Katsidis. Their clash will happen before the Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright superbout. The unbeaten Australian, Katsidis, was supposed to fight Joan Guzman last May 26. However, Guzman claimed injury causing the fight to be cancalled.

Many boxing fans thought he simply chickened out of the big fight. This speculation may well be true as Katsidis brings an extraordinary reputation as a boxer who fights with breath-taking pace and power into the fight.


Asian Boxing Cup?

Sammy Gello-ani, Cebu’s prime boxing promoter is now on the finishing touches of the “more realistic” Asian Cup Boxing. This comes after his failure to bag the multi-million dollar Boxing World Cup. The Asian Boxing Cup will feature upcoming fighters from active boxing countries in Asia.

The Asian Cup is only for boxers under 23 unlike the pricier World Cup, where the best fighters from the Philippines and Mexico would have slugged out for glory. However, the Philippines youthful and rising stars AJ Banal and Rey Bautista will not be a part of this project since they are participants in the "World Cup" of boxing.

" World Cup" of Boxing Updates

In an interesting twist, the battle between Z “The Dream” Gorres’ battle and Mexican Gerson Guerrero has been elevated to an IBF title eliminator. This bout will be among the six fights on the much-awaited “World Cup: showdown between the Philippines and Mexico. This means that should Gorres win this fight, he will have a good change of having a title shot against the IBF title holder.

Viva Sports/Manila Standard Today was informed by respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer that Golden Boy Promotions had verified that the fight will be a title eliminator with the winner getting a crack at the IBF crown.

RP bantam champion Michael Domingo has also just been given his American visa at the US Embassy in Manila. The Filipino champion immediately warned Mexican Miguel Roman of a tough night ahead when they tangle in an 8-round showdown in one of the under cards of the "World Cup" of boxing .

The “World Cup” will take place at the Arco Arena in Sacramento, California on August 11. It will be headlined by what promises to be a classic between undefeated Filipino ring sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and reigning WBO super bantamweight king Daniel Ponce De Leon. Former world champion Gerry Penalosa will challenge WBO bantam champion Jhonny Gonzales in the other world title bout, .

Bert Batawang will then take on Francisco Rosas also in a 12-round IBF eliminator under the junior flyweight category. The sixth match features unbeaten youngster AJ 'Bazooka' Banal against ex-WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz.

Gorres vs. Guerreo Added to World Cup of Boxing

After his failed bid for the WBO super flyweight world title in the classy presentation of “The Moment of Truth” at the Cebu City Sports Complex last February, Z “The Dream” Gorres wants to gets back into contention for a shot at the IBF title. However, he has first to get over Gerson Guerrero of Mexico on August 11 in Sacramento, California.

According to respected boxing patron Tony Aldeguer, Golden Boy Promotions had informed him that the fight contract had been signed and the bout will be part of the “World Cup” of boxing between the Philippines and Mexico.

Gorres' oponent, “El Nene” Guerrero has a record of 33-7 with 25 knockouts. He is coming off back-to-back KO victories over Julio Grimaldo and Lupillo Sanchez. He is known to be a tough fighter who could give Gorres problems. However, Gorres should prevail and set himself up for an IBF title shot if he demonstrates the superb skills he showed against WBO champion Fernando Montiel .

Included in the "World Cup" of boxing card is the eadly young southpaw AJ “Bazooka” Banal. He will fight former WBC light flyweight champion Eric Ortiz on the undercard. The WBO super bantamweight battle between undefeated emerging ring sensation Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and reigning champion Daniel Ponce De Leon will be the main bout of the World Cup.

Former WBC super flyweight champion Gerry Penalosa clashes with WBC bantamweight champion Jhonny Gonzales in the other title fight on the six-fight extravaganza for the $500,000 trophy studded with diamonds. World-rated Bert Batawang will also slug it out against Francisco Rosas in an IBF light flyweight eliminator while Philippine bantamweight champion Michael Domingo will face Miguel Roman in a super bantamweight bout in the " World Cup" of boxing.

ALA Boys Dominate In Quezon City

It seems that more boxers from the famed ALA Gym in Cebu will follow in the footsteps of emerging boxing stars Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and AJ “Bazooka” Banal. The three pugilist displayed their wares in Barangay Toro, Quezon City last night.

ALA boy Along Denoy scored a 4th round TKO win against veteran Roberto Rubillar in the main event of the evening. The fight was held at the 112-pound limit. The ferocious Denoy finally dropped Rubillar when he nailed the latter with a perfect semi-uppercut to the midsection midway in the 4th round, after gaining little headway in the earlier rounds on the defensively-minded Rubillar. Rubillar simply shook his head when asked by Referee Warren Jaro if he was fit to continue even if he managed to beat the count. this prompted the referee to stop the fight at the fourth round.

Milan Melindo, another rising talent displayed fine boxing technique to outbox Wendell Cajoles over ten rounds. He won via a unanimous decision by the scores of 100-91, 99-91, and 99-91. Melindo also showed superb defense effectively blocking many of Cajoles’ punches with his gloves while evading the others with excellent footwork and good head movement. Melindo used a variety of punches in scoring punishing shots on Cajoles although the latter managed to stay on his feet and finished the round.

ALA upstart Joseph Omanz and Jun Piasidad in the super-bantamweight division were fighting on even terms. That is until Piasidad finally succumbed to Omanz’ pounding of his body. Piasidad was able to block most of Omanz’ wild hooks and crosses and scoring some crisp counters in the process but a left hook in the 4th round sent him sprawling to the canvas, obviously in great pain. He did manage to get up upon the prompting of his corner but went down the second time after Omanz pummeled him again with vicious hooks to the body. Omanz was awarded a TKO win in 1:06 of the 4th round improving his professional record to 6-0 when Piasidad could no longer continue.

It seems that Philippine boxing is booming at this point. The success of Manny Pacquiao has inspired a lot of talented fighters to work hard. Manny's success has also placed more attention to Filipino boxing talent across the country. Hopefully, we will have another world champion in the coming years.