THE “FILIPINO CONNECTION” DEBUTS AT "RING TALK" TODAY
30 August, 2006 by Reylan Loberternos
PACMAN CATALYZES BOXING RENAISSANCE
Tagbilaran City, PI-Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s meteoric rise to stardom injected boxing awareness into the hearts and minds of every Filipino. People from all walks of life in the Philippines acknowledge his vast success, thereby creating an avenue for the resurgence of boxing all through the archipelago. Several groups of Philippine boxing enthusiasts on the Internet such as Paclanders, G4Gs and Boxjers have been organized to update the latest news in boxing circles.
“MANNY-MANIA” RAMPANT IN ALL OF ASIA
Chinese television networks are reportedly airing his previous fights with significant frequency, and obviously Manny’s not Chinese. Furthermore, signs are eminent that China is pursuing plans of building a new Entertainment Mecca of Asia (Las Vegas II), which might stage future big events of boxing and open doors of opportunity for Asian boxers in the region.
DEVELOPING BOXING FROM THE GRASSROOTS
Almost every little kid wants to be like Pac. Local Government Units (LGUs) here in the Philippines have organized and conducted amateur boxing tournaments in an attempt to find the next Pacman. Quite interestingly, youth boxing competitions are classified into groups ranging from under 10, 10-12, and 13-15 age bracketing instead of the usual weight class categories. Boxing gyms also sprung like mushrooms in several areas so as to facilitate interested young talents and make way for a very favorable early development of the basic skills.
BOXERS WITH SOLID AMATEUR BACKGROUNDS
Even before Pacquiao burst onto the scene, the Philippines has been actively participating in international boxing competitions in the amateur ranks in an effort to finally win an Olympic gold medal. Boxing is being considered as the Philippines’ best hope of snatching one. Of the present crop of talents, amateur standouts Joan Tipon, Violito Payla and Harry Tañamor head the pack, racking up gold medals in tournaments around the globe. Tipon, a bantamweight who fights a lot like Floyd Mayweather Jr. (No kidding!) and previously adjudged as the best boxer in several international tournaments, including the 23rd Asian Boxing Championship, recently copped the gold medal of the just concluded Greenhill Cup boxing competition held in Karachi, Pakistan.
GOLDEN BOY INKS TWO “ALA” FIGHTERS
If you’re looking for raw talent, go to the islands! Showing their business acumen, Golden Boy Promotions was the first to initiate the move by signing a partnership deal with ALA Boxing Stable, arguably the Philippines’ best, owned and managed by respected boxing impresario Antionio Lopez Aldeguer. His charges, Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and Z “The Dream” Gorres were the first to sign with Golden Boy Promotions.
TOUGH VISA LAWS KEEP GOOD FIGHTERS HOME
It is nearly always a professional boxer’s dream to fight in front of a huge Las Vegas crowd, which also means bigger purses. However, being able to travel across the globe, not to mention the very tedious and expensive process of complying with Visa requirements, is not a luxury that every boxer enjoys. This is basically the reason why few Filipino boxers are able to strut their stuff in front of an American audience. On a positive note, this limitation translates to the fact that only the best boxers will be brought to the land of milk and honey. Bautista, Z Gorres, and Czar Amonsot are three promising prospects from ALA, whose chief trainer is former Philippine boxing sensation Edito “ALA” Villamor. Seventeen-year-old boxing sensation Alex John Banal will also be brought to the United States for much-needed exposure and training under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT & FULL OF PROMISE
For several years, the heavyweight division has carried the load for the sport. With no more American heavyweight champion, or at least any promising talent in sight, American boxing fans might as well divert their attention to where the real action is – the lower weight classes. It is not a farfetched idea that in a year or two, more Filipino boxing talents will show their stuff in front of a jam-packed Las Vegas arena and provide boxing fans from all over the globe with the exciting Filipino-style of boxing ala-Manny Pacquiao!
PACMAN CATALYZES BOXING RENAISSANCE
Tagbilaran City, PI-Filipino boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao’s meteoric rise to stardom injected boxing awareness into the hearts and minds of every Filipino. People from all walks of life in the Philippines acknowledge his vast success, thereby creating an avenue for the resurgence of boxing all through the archipelago. Several groups of Philippine boxing enthusiasts on the Internet such as Paclanders, G4Gs and Boxjers have been organized to update the latest news in boxing circles.
“MANNY-MANIA” RAMPANT IN ALL OF ASIA
Chinese television networks are reportedly airing his previous fights with significant frequency, and obviously Manny’s not Chinese. Furthermore, signs are eminent that China is pursuing plans of building a new Entertainment Mecca of Asia (Las Vegas II), which might stage future big events of boxing and open doors of opportunity for Asian boxers in the region.
DEVELOPING BOXING FROM THE GRASSROOTS
Almost every little kid wants to be like Pac. Local Government Units (LGUs) here in the Philippines have organized and conducted amateur boxing tournaments in an attempt to find the next Pacman. Quite interestingly, youth boxing competitions are classified into groups ranging from under 10, 10-12, and 13-15 age bracketing instead of the usual weight class categories. Boxing gyms also sprung like mushrooms in several areas so as to facilitate interested young talents and make way for a very favorable early development of the basic skills.
BOXERS WITH SOLID AMATEUR BACKGROUNDS
Even before Pacquiao burst onto the scene, the Philippines has been actively participating in international boxing competitions in the amateur ranks in an effort to finally win an Olympic gold medal. Boxing is being considered as the Philippines’ best hope of snatching one. Of the present crop of talents, amateur standouts Joan Tipon, Violito Payla and Harry Tañamor head the pack, racking up gold medals in tournaments around the globe. Tipon, a bantamweight who fights a lot like Floyd Mayweather Jr. (No kidding!) and previously adjudged as the best boxer in several international tournaments, including the 23rd Asian Boxing Championship, recently copped the gold medal of the just concluded Greenhill Cup boxing competition held in Karachi, Pakistan.
GOLDEN BOY INKS TWO “ALA” FIGHTERS
If you’re looking for raw talent, go to the islands! Showing their business acumen, Golden Boy Promotions was the first to initiate the move by signing a partnership deal with ALA Boxing Stable, arguably the Philippines’ best, owned and managed by respected boxing impresario Antionio Lopez Aldeguer. His charges, Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista and Z “The Dream” Gorres were the first to sign with Golden Boy Promotions.
TOUGH VISA LAWS KEEP GOOD FIGHTERS HOME
It is nearly always a professional boxer’s dream to fight in front of a huge Las Vegas crowd, which also means bigger purses. However, being able to travel across the globe, not to mention the very tedious and expensive process of complying with Visa requirements, is not a luxury that every boxer enjoys. This is basically the reason why few Filipino boxers are able to strut their stuff in front of an American audience. On a positive note, this limitation translates to the fact that only the best boxers will be brought to the land of milk and honey. Bautista, Z Gorres, and Czar Amonsot are three promising prospects from ALA, whose chief trainer is former Philippine boxing sensation Edito “ALA” Villamor. Seventeen-year-old boxing sensation Alex John Banal will also be brought to the United States for much-needed exposure and training under the tutelage of Freddie Roach.
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT & FULL OF PROMISE
For several years, the heavyweight division has carried the load for the sport. With no more American heavyweight champion, or at least any promising talent in sight, American boxing fans might as well divert their attention to where the real action is – the lower weight classes. It is not a farfetched idea that in a year or two, more Filipino boxing talents will show their stuff in front of a jam-packed Las Vegas arena and provide boxing fans from all over the globe with the exciting Filipino-style of boxing ala-Manny Pacquiao!
posted by Reylan | 11:32 AM
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