THE “FILIPINO CONNECTION” ON HIGHS & LOWS
04 September, 2006 by Reylan Loberternos
CHAMPIONSHIP ATTEMPTS & FAILURES
Tagbilaran City, RP-Six Filipino pugilists have participated in world championship bouts over a five-month period between March and August of this year. Each of them, however, failed. Diosdado “Prince” Gabi (27-3-1, 19 KOs), Rodel “Magnum Force” Mayol (22-1, 17 KOs), Randy “Stone Knuckles” Suico (24-3, 21 KOs), and Rexon “The Road Roller” Flores (16-3-4, 9 KOs) all fell short of wresting a world championship belt from the respective holders. Juanito Rubillar (39-10-7, 17 KOs), vying for an interim championship belt, also was deprived. Completing the list is Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (19-1, 12 KOs) (Filipino living in Hawaii), who just lost his WBC light flyweight title, consequently putting that single blemish on his erstwhile immaculate record.
A CAUSE FOR CONCERN? DEFINITELY NOT!
One important fact that many of us fail to realize is that they all lost to excellent, if not the best boxers in their respective divisions. Gabi, with his outstanding skills and slick boxing style, gave the hard punching IBF flyweight champion Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan (26-0, 21 KOs) everything he could handle in the early rounds. He was ahead on points before the undefeated Armenian, now based in Australia, overwhelmed him with punishing blows en route to an eighth-round stoppage, earning due respect and praise from the champion. Mayol might have found himself on the losing end of a close unanimous verdict, but he certainly stamped his class during that fateful evening, living up to his reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the minimum weight category. The man who beat him, Thai turned Japanese, Eagle Kyowa (16-1, 6 KOs), is reportedly still recuperating from a career-threatening eye injury caused by Mayol’s brutal assault. That fight was so close that had Mayol saved enough gas in his tank to win the final round, he would have secured a split decision victory and seized the belt from Kyowa.
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION NOT AN EASY ONE!
Of all the above-mentioned Filipino hopefuls, Diosdado Gabi was first to make his comeback with a devastating first round TKO triumph over former multi-division champ Mauricio “El Pintoso” Pastrana (32-7-2, 20 KOs). This was a bright light on the same night Brian Viloria literally gave away his belt to the “Giant Killer” Omar Niño Romero (24-2-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico. It was indeed a forgettable performance by the "Hawaiian Punch," who was the overwhelming favorite going into the fight. Probably to his good fortune, a rematch clause was stipulated in the contract.
2006 REMATCH NOT SET IN STONE!
With November 18th being talked about for Romero-Viloria II, Viloria's manager, Gary Gittlesohn, wasn't committed to that date. In addition, trainer Freddie Roach, might be out!
MAYOL GETS A HAM" SANDWICH TO SNACK ON
On the other hand, Mayol will be trying to renew his confidence against a relatively easy opponent in Masatsugu Okada (8-7-3, 3 KOs) of Japan on the 18th of this month. Randy Suico, after his gutsy performance in a losing effort against Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (30-0, 15 KOs), will try to grab the vacant OPBF lightweight belt from Pongpetch Chuwatana (9-14, 7 KOs) of Thailand in the ensuing month.
QUEST TO SNATCH A WORLD TITLE CONTINUES
The hunt doesn’t stop! Glenn “The Filipino Bomber” Donaire (16-2-1, 9 KOs) hopes to become his country’s lone champion if he is able to exact revenge for his good friend Diosdado Gabi, as he challenges IBF champ Vic Darchinyan for his belt on the 7th of October. Another Filipino prospect, Donnie “Ahas (Snake)” Nietes (14-1-2, 9 KOs), of the fabled ALA Boxing Gym will be next in line, as he takes on IBF minimumweight (105 lbs.) titleholder Muhammad “The Predator” Rachman (51-7-4, 23 KOs) of Indonesia on the 28th of the same month. His stable mate, Z “The Dream” Gorres (24-1-1, 12 KOs), might find himself in a similar position before the year ends, or early next year, to fight for the WBO version of the super flyweight belt now held by Mexico’s Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel (32-2-1, 24 KOs). Montiel lost to compatriot Jhonny Gonzales (33-4, 28 KOs) last May. The latter is set to challenge World super bantamweight champ Israel “Magnifico” Vasquez (40-3, 29 KOs) for his title as the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera (62-4, 42 KOs) versus Rocky Juarez (25-2, 18 KOs) rematch on the 16th of this month.
FILIPINO PUGS NOW GET RECOGNITION
Six title fights in a span of a little over five months is not something to fret about, regardless of the adverse outcome of each of those six attempts. That is already a great achievement in itself – a clear indication that Philippine boxing is heading in the right direction. What’s more important is to learn from the lessons of the past, and use them as a springboard towards advancement.
CHAMPIONSHIP ATTEMPTS & FAILURES
Tagbilaran City, RP-Six Filipino pugilists have participated in world championship bouts over a five-month period between March and August of this year. Each of them, however, failed. Diosdado “Prince” Gabi (27-3-1, 19 KOs), Rodel “Magnum Force” Mayol (22-1, 17 KOs), Randy “Stone Knuckles” Suico (24-3, 21 KOs), and Rexon “The Road Roller” Flores (16-3-4, 9 KOs) all fell short of wresting a world championship belt from the respective holders. Juanito Rubillar (39-10-7, 17 KOs), vying for an interim championship belt, also was deprived. Completing the list is Brian “The Hawaiian Punch” Viloria (19-1, 12 KOs) (Filipino living in Hawaii), who just lost his WBC light flyweight title, consequently putting that single blemish on his erstwhile immaculate record.
A CAUSE FOR CONCERN? DEFINITELY NOT!
One important fact that many of us fail to realize is that they all lost to excellent, if not the best boxers in their respective divisions. Gabi, with his outstanding skills and slick boxing style, gave the hard punching IBF flyweight champion Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan (26-0, 21 KOs) everything he could handle in the early rounds. He was ahead on points before the undefeated Armenian, now based in Australia, overwhelmed him with punishing blows en route to an eighth-round stoppage, earning due respect and praise from the champion. Mayol might have found himself on the losing end of a close unanimous verdict, but he certainly stamped his class during that fateful evening, living up to his reputation as one of the hardest punchers in the minimum weight category. The man who beat him, Thai turned Japanese, Eagle Kyowa (16-1, 6 KOs), is reportedly still recuperating from a career-threatening eye injury caused by Mayol’s brutal assault. That fight was so close that had Mayol saved enough gas in his tank to win the final round, he would have secured a split decision victory and seized the belt from Kyowa.
THE ROAD TO REDEMPTION NOT AN EASY ONE!
Of all the above-mentioned Filipino hopefuls, Diosdado Gabi was first to make his comeback with a devastating first round TKO triumph over former multi-division champ Mauricio “El Pintoso” Pastrana (32-7-2, 20 KOs). This was a bright light on the same night Brian Viloria literally gave away his belt to the “Giant Killer” Omar Niño Romero (24-2-1, 10 KOs) of Mexico. It was indeed a forgettable performance by the "Hawaiian Punch," who was the overwhelming favorite going into the fight. Probably to his good fortune, a rematch clause was stipulated in the contract.
2006 REMATCH NOT SET IN STONE!
With November 18th being talked about for Romero-Viloria II, Viloria's manager, Gary Gittlesohn, wasn't committed to that date. In addition, trainer Freddie Roach, might be out!
MAYOL GETS A HAM" SANDWICH TO SNACK ON
On the other hand, Mayol will be trying to renew his confidence against a relatively easy opponent in Masatsugu Okada (8-7-3, 3 KOs) of Japan on the 18th of this month. Randy Suico, after his gutsy performance in a losing effort against Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz (30-0, 15 KOs), will try to grab the vacant OPBF lightweight belt from Pongpetch Chuwatana (9-14, 7 KOs) of Thailand in the ensuing month.
QUEST TO SNATCH A WORLD TITLE CONTINUES
The hunt doesn’t stop! Glenn “The Filipino Bomber” Donaire (16-2-1, 9 KOs) hopes to become his country’s lone champion if he is able to exact revenge for his good friend Diosdado Gabi, as he challenges IBF champ Vic Darchinyan for his belt on the 7th of October. Another Filipino prospect, Donnie “Ahas (Snake)” Nietes (14-1-2, 9 KOs), of the fabled ALA Boxing Gym will be next in line, as he takes on IBF minimumweight (105 lbs.) titleholder Muhammad “The Predator” Rachman (51-7-4, 23 KOs) of Indonesia on the 28th of the same month. His stable mate, Z “The Dream” Gorres (24-1-1, 12 KOs), might find himself in a similar position before the year ends, or early next year, to fight for the WBO version of the super flyweight belt now held by Mexico’s Fernando “Cochulito” Montiel (32-2-1, 24 KOs). Montiel lost to compatriot Jhonny Gonzales (33-4, 28 KOs) last May. The latter is set to challenge World super bantamweight champ Israel “Magnifico” Vasquez (40-3, 29 KOs) for his title as the undercard of the Marco Antonio Barrera (62-4, 42 KOs) versus Rocky Juarez (25-2, 18 KOs) rematch on the 16th of this month.
FILIPINO PUGS NOW GET RECOGNITION
Six title fights in a span of a little over five months is not something to fret about, regardless of the adverse outcome of each of those six attempts. That is already a great achievement in itself – a clear indication that Philippine boxing is heading in the right direction. What’s more important is to learn from the lessons of the past, and use them as a springboard towards advancement.
posted by Reylan | 11:44 AM
1 Comments:
Jesus said,"Do not be afraid.I am the First and Last. I am the Living one;I was dead, and behold I am alive for ever and ever!And I hold the keys of death and Hades"
Revelation 1:17c-18.
Post a Comment
<< Home