Trouble in Pacquiao Training Camp!

Philippine boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao's training camp experienced a bit of trouble a few days ago. The cause of the trouble was the huge turnout of spectators who came to the gym to watch Pacquiao in training. Pinoy boxing fans numbering over a hundred flocked the Rex 'Wakee' Salud gym, raising questions as to why they were allowed inside the heavily-guarded gym while Pacquiao was training.

Understandably, highly respected boxing trainer Freddie Roach was not pleased with the distractions to Pacquiao's training. Roach was so frustrated with the lack of security in the gym that he has threatened to pull-out and return to Los Angeles. Although Roach appreciate the love and support of the fans, he has no choice but to limit the number of gym spectators.

In response to Roach's complaint, Gym owner Rex 'Wakee' Salud, promised to impose a "No Pass, No Entry" policy. Roach has expressed that Salud should keep his promise to prevent fans from jamming the gym and effectively distracting Pacquiao or he will go back to the US. He is also implementing a no-video camera policy when it comes to Pacquiao's sparring sessions.

Fortunately, Rex 'Wakee' Salud has made good on his promise to keep the fans away from Pacquiao's training. Those who were not part of Team Pacquiao were kept outside the gym when Filipino boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao started his 3PM workout with Freddie Roach.

This is exactly why many Pinoy boxing fans were concerned when Pacquiao decided to train in the Philippines. We know that Pacquiao couldn’t focus on his first fight against Erik “El Terrible” Morales and eventually lost when fans crowded the Wild Card Gym.

I am also concerned with reports that Pacquiao is playing basketball while in the midst of his training. He may suffer an unnecessary injury and this kinds of activities will divert his focus from his upcoming bout. Let us hope that Pacquiao will focus all his energies into his training and get into the best shape possible when he meets Marco Antonio Barrera for the second time.

Suico KO's Samejima to Retain OPBF Title

Last weekend, Pinoy boxing prospect, Randy Suico retained his OPBF lightweight title by knocking out mandatory challenger Koji Samejima of Japan in the eighth round. The OPBF lightweight championship bout was the main attraction of the “Battle for Supremacy” promotion that was held at the sprawling Mall of Asia open car park. This boxing event was promoted by Rex “Wakee” Salud in cooperation with MP Promotions of Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao.

A brutal left hook from Suico decked Samejima in the sixth round. In the eight round, the Japanese challenger was also nailed by another left hook that was followed by a vicious right straight that sent him flat on his back. It was clear to international referee Bruce McTavish that the Japanese was out cold and there was no need for a count.

In the other bouts, Philippine boxing prospect Jimrex Jaca retained his WBO super featherweight title over Japan’s Ryu Miyagi with a controversial technical draw. The fight was halted in the second round when the ring physician ruled that Jaca couldn’t continue because of two nasty cuts. However, the technical draw decision became controversial when the replays suggested that the second cut was caused by a punch.

This ending disappointed the Pinoy boxing fans as it was an action-packed bout. A perfect straight right from Miyagi dropped Jaca in the opening round. The challenger followed up the knock down with a flurry of punches which forced the referee to give Jaca a standing eight count. However, the Filipino boxing prospect gained control of the fight by connecting with a perfect left that decked the Japanese challenger. The referee stopped the action when he detected the cuts on Jaca's face which led to the end of the exciting bout.

I hope that the results of these bouts will help propel these fine Philippine boxing prospects to world title fights. Both of them failed in their first world title bids but if given a second chance, they will surely do their best to bring world titles back to the Philippines.

Philippine Boxing Prospects to Face Tough Japanese Opponents

After witnessing the World Cup of boxing, Pinoy boxing fans will once again be treated to another boxing promotion that will feature our homegrown boxing talents. This weekend, Randy Suico the reigning Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) lightweight champion will headline a blockbuster 78-round card at the Mall of Asia.

This boxing event will include four fights between Filipino boxers against Japanese pugilists making it seem like the beginning of an Asian Cup. This boxing promotion is a project of MP (Manny Pacquiao) Boxing Promotions and is projected to be a regional version of the World Cup, which Philippine boxing dominated with a 5-1 score over Mexico in Sacramento.

In the main event, Randy Suico will stake his OBPF 135-pound crown against Koji Samejima. Jimrex Jaca will also be defending the WBO Asia-Pacific superfeatherweight championship against challenger Ryu Miyagi. Philippine boxing prospect Wyndel Janiola will faces Hirotaka Hisataka in a ten round bout while Jun Plasidad meets Noriyuki Komatsu in a six round match.

Boxing analyst sees Samejima as a major test for Suico as the lanky Japanese has won his last four bouts. The tall and lanky Samejima has dropped down to lightweight in order to battle Suico and avenge the setbacks of four countrymen who were defeated by the Filipino.

Miyagi will also be a handful for Jaca as the Japanese fighter has won his last four outings. His current record stands at 16-1, with 12 KOs. He seems to be a fast starter as 10 of his knock out victories were inside three rounds. Miyagi's only loss happened two years ago as he took a 20-month layoff before returning to the ring last year.

Hisataka is no pushover opponent for Janiola as he once stopped highly regarded Philippine champion Bert Batawang in two rounds. Hisataka is also hungry for a win as he is coming off two losses on points. Histaka’s record is 15-5-1, with 5 KOs.

Early August Philippine Boxing Updates

Manny Pacquiao Training Update:

Pinoy boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao has began the sparring phase of his training for his scheduled rematch against Mexican legend, Marco Antonio Barrera. Pacquiao sparred three rounds with David Rodela at the RWS Gym. The Philippine boxing hero is slowly picking up the tempo in preparation for his upcoming megabout against Barrera and weighed around 137 pounds after his workout.

Celebrated American boxing trainer Freddie Roach gave his brightest pupil a satisfactory grade in his first sparring session yesterday. However, he admitted that the Philippine boxing hero still has a lot of things to work out in order to emerge victorious in his upcoming match.

Roach commented that Manny, "got hit several times, but we're not rushing things for him. He'll get better. We've got a couple of guys coming in. I'm very happy though for the first day. He's very good."

However, Roach said that the game plan this time is to gog for the kill against Marco Antonio Barrera using body shots. He explained that, "Breaking fighters down is the key. I think that's how we gonna win this fight, with body shots"

I hope that everything works well with Manny's training and that he can finally focus on how to win his upcoming fight. There has been many delays with his training and holding his training in the Philippines may not be the best option for him. He still holds the advantage over Barrera but he needs to have a good training camp to ensure victory.

Pacquiao-Barrera II Undercard

It has been announced that two outstanding Pinoy boxing prospects from the Southern Philippine Island of Mindanao will see action in the undercard of the Manny Pacquiao-Marco Antonio Barrera rematch.

Glenn Gonzales and Jundy Maraon will be included in the preliminary bouts. Glenn Gonzales is a 22 year old featherweight prospect with a record of 6 wins, 1 draw, 4 KO's. He is the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight Asia-Pacific Interim champion. On the other hand,Maron is a 22 year old bantamweight with a record of 11 wins, 1 draw, and 9 KO's. Pacquiao wants to give these promising boxers a chance to get a break in the lucrative American boxing market.

Freddie Roach Arrives In The Philippines

World Class boxing trainer Freddie Roach has arrived in the Philippines to supervise the training of Pinoy boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao is currently training at Wakee Salud's gym in Cebu.

Roach was met by Wakee Salud at the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. He was then immediately whisked on a waiting SUV to the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel. Pacquiao and Buboy Fernandez are also housed at the same hotel. On Sunday, the two sparmates for Pacquiao are expected to arrive.


Battle for Supremacy

On August 25, OPBF lightweight champion Randy Suico and WBO Asia Pacific superfeatherweight title-holder Jimrex Jaca will face separate Japanese prospects. The promotion is called 'Battle for Supremacy: Philippines versus Japan' and will be held at the Mall of Asia in Manila.

Randy Suico will have defended his OPBF lightweight title against mandatory challenger, Koji Samejima. Japanese challenger Ryu Miyagi will attempt to wrest the WBO Asia Pacific superfeatherweight from Jaca in the other 12-round bout. I hope these two Philippine boxing prospects can retain their titles.

Wyndel Janiola will take on Japanese Hiroyuki Hisataka in a 10-round brawl, and Noriyuki Komatsu will go up against local boy Jun Piasidad in the undercard. The rest of the bouts include Marvin Tampos against Danilo Pena; Roel Laguna against Mervin Batolina; Jonathan Baat against Eric Rapada.

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.

Marquez Wants Pacquaio After Juarez

After WBC Super Featherweight Champion Juan Manuel Marquez's upcoming defense against Rocky Juarez, he wants to have a re-match against Pinoy boxing superstar, Manny Pacquiao.

Manny and Juan have unfinished business to revolve according to Ignacio Beristain, the manager of Marquez. According to Beristain, it shouldn’t be too difficult to arrange now that the problems between Golden Boy Promotions and Top Rank are resolved. Interestingly, it was Beristain who refused the offer for a rematch between Pacquiao and Marquez after the boxers fought to a draw.

Of course, Juan has to defeat Rocky Juarez at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on September 15th, if he wants a rematch against Pacquiao. Rocky Juarez is the replacement for Jorge Barrios, who showed eye troubles after a medical examination and had to withdraw. Juan Manuel marquez will be on the United States until Sunday because he will be leading the Mexican team which will contest the Boxing World Cup against the Philippines.

Manny Pacquiao, on the other hand, has began his training at the famed Wild Card gym. He has finally arrived in Los Angeles last night to begin the 7 week training for his rematch against Marco Antonio Barrera.

Pacquiao started his first day of training with a short jogging stint around his apartment at the La Brea district in Los Angeles. Pacquiao and his trainers, Buboy Fernandez and Nonoy Neri proceeded to the Wildcard Gym to begin his official training after the Pacman had a short rest and a light breakfast. His training sessions consisted of stretching, single and double speed bag, shadow boxing and body conditioning.