Viva la Mexico!!!! (Part 1)

By: Maria Cielo del Carmen

My recent trip to Mexico last Nov.26 was one helluva vacation! Being half "chicano", I was very much excited to see "mi amigos and amigas"...eat the best tasting burritos, nachos, enchiladas, salsas, quesadillas in the world at my favorite joint, El Pato...and the TEQUILA!!!!!...and walk the streets of Mexico City, breathing in and out that "oh so familiar" air while admiring the gorgeous "muchachos" who pass me by.....yes, this is Mexico!

For those of you who are so intrigued at how Mexico looks like.....chill.....it's very much like the Philippines, except that the air is a lot thinner..you actually feel it right away the minute you exit the airport. Just talking about the similarities between my two beloved countries will take days to explain, so let me just focus on the ONE thing that they do have in common, and that of course is......yes, you guessed it...BOXING!

The minute you set foot on the streets of Mexico City, you'll definitely know that you're in the boxing capital of the world! Boxing gyms are everywhere....and I mean, EVERYWHERE!!! You see kids as young as 4 and 5 years old, walking with a pair of gloves hanging around their tiny necks with their "Papitos" ("Papi" or "Papito" is how we Mexicans call our fathers) to the gym of their choice....young boys shadowboxing in every nook and cranny of the city....amateur boxers who look more like telenovela heartthrobs than sluggers....and the pros who are THE kings of the city streets.....there's just so much respect for these human beings! Safe to say that any good-looking Mexican whose biceps and triceps are toned, whose pectoral muscles (the four large paired muscles that cover the front of the rib cage and serve to draw the forelimbs toward the chest) are obviously defined, and whose deltoid muscles (a thick triangular muscle covering the shoulder joint and used for raising the arm away from the body) are well developed has got to be a boxer! In Mexico, boxers are very proud of what they do....in fact, you'll hear many of them say.."Boxing? Hmmmmm....it's not what I do....it's who I am!".....I've heard this a countless number of times already, but each time I hear it, it still manages to bring tears to my eyes..why? I guess because it's not about the money...it's all about the 2 very important P's for me and my fellow Mexicans....PRIDE and PASSION.

Boxing is a way of life in Mexico.....the people and the streets of the city will tell you that this sport has found its way to their hearts. Personally, it found a way to my heart some 18 years ago...when I fell in love with Rafael Rubino, my very first boyfriend ever. Rafael was a super featherweight, and a very handsome dark Mexican. He had a very promising career as an amateur, and was on his way to the pro ranks, but because of a freak accident that happened during a Sunday afternoon match..Rafael's opponent gave him an uppercut..Rafael fell hard on his back..his neck snapped, then he suddenly had a seizure....and that was it for him. That fateful accident cost him his career, his dream, and his life. This dampened my passion for boxing for so many years. The trauma was so great that I refused to set foot in any gym whether here in Manila or in Mexico. But I guess time has found its way of healing me. Last October 3,2007, I found my way to the Elorde Gym in Sucat, Paranaque. Initially, I was there to accompany a student of mine, but due to the prodding of the charming receptionist, I found myself donning on handwraps and a pair of size 12 boxing gloves. I boxed for a month but had to stop because my work load was getting in the way of my workout schedule. Now, I'm back... still with Elorde's Sucat..but this time with a renewed passion for the one sport that I almost abandoned 18 years ago..and this time under the tutelage and watchful eye of our very own #1 Philippine Featherweight Champion, Vinvin Rufino.

Indeed, boxing is here to stay....not only for me and my fellow Mexicans, but also my beloved "kababayans". I will be returning to Mexico to see my relatives again....maybe early next year..and when this happens, I hope to bring a lot of stories about Philippine boxing because I want them to see the Philippines, not only as a third world country filled with champions who have long been forgotten, but as a gold mine of talent and a strong force to reckon with! Mabuhay ang Filipino boxer!

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Pacquiao, Ali world's greatest, says Diaz

By Joaquin Henson

Former WBC lightweight champion David Diaz arrived yesterday from the US to celebrate Manny Pacquiao’s 30th birthday in General Santos City today and declared the Filipino icon as close to matching Muhammad Ali’s stature as the world’s greatest fighter of all time.

“I think Ali’s the greatest fighter ever but Manny’s moving up,” said Diaz. “Right now, I can compare Manny with Ali as two of the greatest of all time. Just look at what Manny has done. He’s conquered the world with titles in five different weight divisions.”

Diaz was invited by Pacquiao to visit and will stay here until Dec. 22. He will leave for General Santos City on board a private PLDT plane this afternoon. Expected to join Diaz in the nine-seater are Smart Sports executive director and ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, newly crowned World Cup lightflyweight champion Harry Tañamor, unbeaten WBA superfeatherweight titleholder Edwin Valero of Venezuela, Los Angeles agent Jeff de Guzman and local coordinator Reli de Leon.

Valero, whose record is 24-0 with 24 KOs, was scheduled to arrive yesterday but missed his flight out of Los Angeles. He is due to plane in this morning.

Diaz, 32, hasn’t fought since he lost the WBC crown to Pacquiao on a ninth round knockout in Las Vegas last June. His record is 34-2-1, with 17 KOs. He turned pro in 1996 and won his first 26 bouts before bowing to Kendall Holt three years ago.

Diaz said he watched Pacquiao dispose of Oscar de La Hoya on pay-per-view in his Chicago home.

“I’m so happy for Manny,” said Diaz. “I think 90 percent of our household was for Manny. It was the first time I saw Manny so dominant with his skills. He showed tremendous speed. There wasn’t anything Oscar could do. Manny outclassed, outhustled and outboxed Oscar.”

Diaz said he did better against Pacquiao than De la Hoya.

“I went nine gruelling rounds with Manny and I lost to the best fighter in the world,” said Diaz. “I have nothing to be ashamed of. I gave it my all. Oscar didn’t do as much against Manny as I did and even the TV announcers mentioned it. I’m pretty proud of myself for standing up to Manny. Would I fight Oscar? Why not? But that’s up to my promoter.”

Diaz said he plans to return to the ring in March.

“I’ll start hard training in January,” he said. “I can’t wait to fight again. I’ll fight anyone out there. Hopefully, it’ll be a top 10 contender. I don’t choose my opponents. I could take on Juan Manuel Marquez, Juan Diaz, Joel Casamayor or whoever my promoter lines up.”

As for Pacquiao, Diaz said he prefers Ricky Hatton to be the Filipino’s next opponent.

“Manny against Hatton would be a great match-up,” he said. “Hatton tried to box a little in his last fight against (Paul) Malignaggi but that won’t happen against Manny. Hatton will try to rush Manny. That’s how he fights. I see Manny catching him. After Manny takes care of Hatton, then he can go out in a blaze of glory against Floyd (Mayweather). That would be a huge climax for Manny.”

Diaz said Pacquiao will be in his most explosive form fighting as a lightwelterweight.

“I think Manny would be at his best weighing 140,” he said. “He weighed in at 142 for Oscar and came in at 148. So if he checks in at 140, that should be just about right. Manny is unbeatable at that weight.” - Philstar

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’Marvelous Pacquiao’ Bibinyagan

Wala na nga sigurong mahihiling pa si Manny Pacquiao sa kanyang ika-30 kaarawan sa Disyembre 17, 2008.

Naipanalo niya ang sinasabing pinakamalaking laban sa ibabaw ng ring - - isang 8th round TKO - - kay Oscar De La Hoya noong Disyembre 6 sa MGM Grand Arena sa Las Vegas.

Ang naturang laban ay humakot din ng bilang sa ‘pay-per-view’ - - kaya’t maaari na nating sabihing si Pacquiao na ang bagong hari ng PPV sa larangan ng boxing.

Bukod ditto, wala nang kuwestiyon sa pagiging ‘P4P (pound-for-pound) king’ ni Pacquiao.

Sa pagtatapos ng taon, inaasahan nating kay Pacquiao rin igagawad ang iba’t ibang karangalan - - isa na rito ang ‘upset fight of the year.’

Ano pa nga ba ang mahihiling ng isang Manny Pacquiao?

Ahh, wala na.

Sa bisperas ng kanyang kaarawan (Disyembre 16), isang paboksing ang inihanda ni Pacquiao sa kanyang mga kababayan sa Gen. Santos City.

Tampok ang sagupaang Ruel Laguna at Jake Verano.

Dito rin bibigyagan ang sinasabing bagong alaga ni Pacquiao, si ‘Marvelous Pacquiao.’

Sasalang na bilang professional boxer si ‘Marvelous Pacquiao,’ na dapat sana’y napasabak na noong Disyembre 6 bilang undercard sa Pacquiao vs Oscar De La Hoya sa MGM Grand Arena sa Las Vegas, pero nagkaroon ng problema sa pagkuha ng US visa.

Ang naturang boksingero ay sinasabing ‘very talented’ at former national amateur medallist, na mula sa pamilya ng boksingero, na hanggang ngayon ay namamayagpag pa sa larangang ito.

At hindi susugalan ni Pacquiao ang boksingerong ito kung walang ibubuga.

Siya’y walang iba kundi ang anak ni Dodie Boy Penalosa. -Philippine Boxing News

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Dream Match Analysis

By Joaquin Henson

LAS VEGAS – In analyzing the factors that could determine the outcome of the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar dela Hoya “dream match” here tonight (tomorrow morning, Manila), 10 critical elements come to mind.
10 factors to decide fight:

• Speed. This translates into quickness of hand and foot. Mobility may be affected by weight, age, conditioning or a combination of those. If Pacquiao isn’t able to carry the added weight on his body, he’ll be slow and easier for Dela Hoya to hit. But if his body has adjusted to the extra pounds, Pacquiao should be faster than Dela Hoya who is six years older. Pacquiao’s lateral and head movement could leave a dizzy Dela Hoya punching air. Advantage: Pacquiao.

• Power. Because he’s naturally bigger, Dela Hoya will be stronger than Pacquiao in the ring. Dela Hoya has the power to knock out Pacquiao with a single blow while for Pacquiao to bring down Dela Hoya, it will take an accumulation of punches. The key is to avoid Dela Hoya’s bombs. Dela Hoya likes to set up his power shots with his left jab so if Pacquiao can slip it, he’ll be hard to catch. Advantage: Dela Hoya.

• Experience. Pacquiao has fought 283 rounds in 52 fights since 1995 while Dela Hoya has logged 300 rounds in 44 bouts since 1992. They’ve fought a slew of future Hall of Famers with Dela Hoya probably mixing it up with a higher grade of opposition. Dela Hoya could be shop-worn or “overfought” and if he is, experience will be a liability. Pacquiao knows what it’s like to fight under the Vegas lights like Dela Hoya. The glitz won’t be a distraction either way. Advantage: Even.

• Hunger. With De la Hoya’s billion dollar empire, it’s difficult to imagine why the Golden Boy continues to risk life and limb inside the ring. He hopes to retire in a blaze of glory at Pacquiao’s expense but will his body hold up? There isn’t a hungrier fighter than Pacquiao at his level of fighting ability. Pacquiao doesn’t only fight for money but also for personal glory and most importantly, national pride. This is his shot at immortality. Advantage: Pacquiao.

• Resilience. In a war of attrition, the fighter who makes critical adjustments along the way to take the initiative should be tougher down the stretch. How to cope with unavoidable circumstances, like getting cut, is a test of character and heart. The fighter who is less predictable has a better chance of catching his opponent when he’s not looking. Advantage: De la Hoya.

• Vulnerability. The ability to take a punch is vital. Dela Hoya is known for his granite chin. His only loss by knockout came in the Bernard Hopkins fight and when Dela Hoya was counted out from a punch to the side of the body, it didn’t seem like he was badly hurt. In contrast, Pacquiao has been stopped twice. Advantage: De la Hoya.

• Cornerwork. Veterans Angelo Dundee and Nacho Beristain are in Dela Hoya’s camp. How the oldtimers are getting along is a question mark. Whether Dela Hoya engaged them for publicity purposes or not is another question mark. If Dela Hoya listens to both oldtimers, he might end up confused. Neither has a fighter’s mentality like Freddie Roach, a former pro who knows what it’s like to put on gloves and take a shot. Advantage: Pacquiao.

• Defense. Dela Hoya started boxing with the right fundamentals. Pacquiao learned the basics through experience. Dela Hoya has good defensive instincts. When he’s in trouble, extricating is no problem. Pacquiao is a natural braveheart who doesn’t back down from a challenge. His offense is his defense. Advantage: Dela Hoya.

• Intelligence. Executing a fight plan to perfection requires a lot of smarts. For Pacquiao, he can’t afford to make a mistake because he’s up against a bigger, stronger and extremely dangerous opponent. If he beats Dela Hoya, it won’t be just because of his fighting skills. It’ll also be because he’s smarter. De la Hoya has everything to lose and little to gain while it’s the reverse for Pacquiao. Roach knows Pacquiao must outthink Dela Hoya in the trenches and destroy his will to win. Advantage: Pacquiao.

• Stamina. If the fight goes the full route, the fighter with the sturdier set of lungs will finish with fresher legs. If Dela Hoya’s weight reduction program took a heavy toll, he’ll be easy prey for Pacquiao like Erik Morales was in their third meeting. To win, Pacquiao must be prepared to hit and run all 12 rounds without tiring out. If Dela Hoya can’t keep pace, it’ll be curtains for the Golden Boy. Advantage: Pacquiao.

In the final analysis, it will be Pacquiao over Dela Hoya by a close decision. Pacquiao will turn Dela Hoya around like a top and prevent him from getting untracked. He’ll slide away from Dela Hoya’s left hook and counter with a left to the body. Pacquiao’s southpaw stance will bother Dela Hoya. The right hand will be a big weapon against the Golden Boy because it will travel less distance to connect than the left. A sustained body attack will sap Dela Hoya’s energy but it may not be enough to make him quit.

Dela Hoya’s chances of scoring a knockout are higher in the early rounds when he’s fresher. That’s fair warning for Pacquiao to stay away from striking distance. Once Dela Hoya is softened up and tired, Pacquiao can step up his attack to establish control.

The situation is definitely winnable for Pacquiao but it will take the execution of a perfect fight plan to repulse Dela Hoya. - Philstar

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Manny ayaw nang maulit ang problema sa timbang

By Virgie Romano

Tulad ng naibalita na natin, nagsimula nang mag-ensayo si Manny Pacquiao. Pero abala pa rin ang Pambansang Kamao sa iba pa niyang komitmen outside the ring. Katuna­yan, ay hindi na naman siya nakapagsulat ng kolum kahapon.

Pinipilit naman ng boksingero na matapos ang kanyang mga komitmen dahil kailangan niyang mag-concentrate sa ensayo.

Kahit liyamado si Manny sa kanyang rematch kay Juan Manuel Marquez, gaya ng sinasabi ng mga eksperto, pati na sa betting odds (bagama’t may 67 days pa), hindi maaaring magpabaya ang Pinoy boxer.

Ngayon pa lamang ay kinakailangang masubaybayan nang husto ang kanyang timbang.

Hindi ba’t nagkaproblema siya sa timbang (130-lbs) sa huling laban niya kay Marco Antonio Barrera? Na sa mismong araw umano ng weigh-in ay kinaila­ngan pa niyang magbawas ng isang libra?

‘Yon ang iniiwasang maulit ni American trainer Freddie Roach. Kaya, gusto niya, by January 15, nasa Los Angeles na si Pacquiao.

Mahirap magbawas ng timbang. Madalas ko itong nakikita sa mga boksingerong inaalagaan ng partner kong si Emil. Kawawa ang boxer, dahil hindi makakain nang maayos.

Eh para sa isang boxer, napakaha­laga ng pagkain, dahil dito sila kumukuha ng lakas.

Batid din marahil ni Manny ang pinagdaanang hirap sa pagbabawas ng timbang sa kanyang huling laban, kaya’t hindi niya gugustuhing maulit iyon.

Noong Sabado ng hapon ay bumulaga si Manny sa Wild Card gym sa Parañaque City at nagpapawis ng ilang oras.

‘Yon ay kahit kararating lamang niya nu’ng umaga ng Sabado mula sa bakasyon sa Amerika. Balewala ang jetlag kay Manny. Kunsabagay, sanay na sanay na kasi siyang bumiyahe ng kahit 14 oras pa.

Katunayan, nagsilbi pa siyang trainer ng mga babaeng estudyante sa Wild Card, dahil siya ang nag-punch mitt sa mga ito.

Kapag nasa boksing si Manny, ibang karakter ang makikita mo sa kanya -- masang-masa.

Outside the squared ring, ibang personalidad na naman, na minsan mahirap abutin.

***

Puspusan na rin ang pag-eensayo ni Florante Condes. Three times a week kung umispar ang IBF minimumweight champion, bilang paghahanda sa kanyang 1st title defense against Raul Garcia on February 16 in Mexico.

Pero, may mga katanungan ang mga fans. Makaaalis daw ba at makakalaban itong si Condes?

Alam naman natin ang pinagdaraanang problema ni Condes sa kanyang management group. Umalis na siya sa poder ng kinagisnang manager at may kinalaman sa pera ang rason.

Ang maganda kay Condes, kahit may problema sa paligid, hindi siya nagpapabaya sa ensayo. Batid niyang mas mahalaga pa rin na nasa kundisyon siya para sa kanyang laban.

‘Yun nga lang, ayaw na niyang makaispar si Rene Bañares, kasi ginugulangan siya nito.

Eh paano pala kung magulang si Garcia? Paano nga ba? - Abante Online

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Liver shot stops Rubillar

By Joaquin Henson

Another Filipino challenger bit the dust when Juanito Rubillar was stopped by WBC light flyweight champion Edgar Sosa at 2:54 of the seventh round in Mexico City last Saturday night (yesterday morning, Manila).

So far this year, four Filipinos – including Rubillar – were foiled in attempts to capture world titles. The others were Glenn Donaire who lost on points to IBF lightflyweight champion Ulises Solis last July, Sonny Boy Jaro who was decisioned by Sosa last September and Rolly Lunas who bowed to WBA bantamweight titleholder Anselmo Moreno last October.

Additionally, Florante Condes was dethroned by Raul Garcia in an IBF minimum weight title bout last June.

The only Filipinos to win world championship fights this year are Manny Pacquiao (over Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBC super featherweight crown and David Diaz for the WBC lightweight diadem), Gerry Peñalosa who retained his WBO bantamweight title via an eighth round stoppage of Ratanachai Sor Vorapin last April and IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire who retained his belt with a sixth round TKO over Maruti Mthalane last month.

Rubillar, 31, was staggered by a left hook to the liver and retreated to the ropes when Curacao referee Harold Laurens stepped in to halt the contest. Sosa, 29, appeared to be relieved as he finished the fight bleeding from cuts over both eyes.

Rubillar’s trainer Roel Morata, who worked his corner, told The Star it was an action-packed fight from the start.

“It was a good fight,” said Morata. “Sosa was cut on both eyebrows and Juanito kept hitting him with straights. Then, Sosa hit Juanito with a punch to the side of the body. Juanito stepped back and leaned on the ropes. He was fighting back when suddenly, the referee stopped it.”

The premature ending was a sad curtain call for Rubillar who is in the twilight of a long career that began in 1994. He had previously lost in two bids for the world title against Zolani Petelo for the IBF minimum weight title in 1999 and Jorge Arce for the WBC light flyweight crown in 2004.

At the end of four rounds, Sosa was ahead on the three judges scorecards, 40-36, 38-37, 39-36. The judges were Humberto Olivares, Stephen Blea and Filipino Rey Danseco.

Sosa’s manager Jacques Deschamps, a Haiti businessman, said before the fight, technique would play a pivotal role in determining the outcome and predicted the thinking fighter would win.

Rubillar, a southpaw, tried to lure Sosa into a brawl but the Mexican champion proved too smart to fall into the trap. Sosa used his skills to outbox the rugged Rubillar from a distance and was probably surprised the fight ended in abbreviated fashion. The win was Sosa’s 22nd in a row.

As Manny Pacquiao is to Mexicans, Sosa is to Filipinos as their tormentor. Sosa won the WBC crown on a majority decision over Fil-Am Brian Viloria and one of his other victims was Aljoe Jaro’s protégé Sonny Boy Jaro. - Philstar

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