GRUDGE MATCH

Harry Tanamor

AMID freezing weather, the Philippines’ Harry Tanamor arrived in Beijing Saturday and will go up against an old nemesis – 2008 Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming of China – in the 48-kilogram class in the two-day “Champion of Champions” boxing tournament.

Tanamor, 32, will be hard-pressed to work up a sweat in below-zero temperature battling the 28-year-old Zou, who beat the Filipino Olympian in the final of the 2007 World Boxing Championship in Chicago.

Zou would give his country its first boxing gold medal in the Beijing Summer Olympics the following year after his opponent in the light flyweight final, Mongolian Pürevdorjiin Serdamba, retired from a shoulder injury. Tanamor, on the other hand, lost to Ghana's Manyo Plange in the Round of 32, ending the Philippines' Olympic gold medal dream.

“The winner in this invitational tournament gets to fight for the gold medal,” said Ed Picson, executive director of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines, who flies to Beijing today with ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio.

Tañamor, rated No. 7 in Asia, wasn’t in the original cast of participants in Beijing, said Picson, but was invited as a late replacement for an unidentified fighter who was hurt in training.

Accompanying Tanamor, who is fighting to stay in the national team, were coach Elmer Pamisa and referee-judge Tito Dacuma. Beijing organizers are providing the airfare, board and lodging of a three-man group for the meet, which will bring in the top four Asian fighters in selected weight categories.

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HANDFUL OF TALENT

Vic Saludar is among those being eyed in the national youth team after his impressive showing in the 2010 Smart-ABAP National Open

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY – A handful of boxers are expected to clinch slots in the national youth team following their remarkable showing in the 2010 Smart-ABAP National Open which came to a close here.

A panel of national coaches came away impressed with the performances of Davao del Norte’s Victorio Saludar and Mark Anthony Barriga, Davao City’s Engelbert Moralde, Misamis Oriental’s Albert Pagala and Bago City’s James Palicte, giving them a good chance of making the national youth squad that will see action in the Olympic qualifying tourney in Baku, Azerbaijan in April and the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics in August.

The hard-hitting Saludar crushed Kevin James Gob of Tayabas City with 1:35 left in the first round to capture the youth boys’ bantamweight crown while Barriga won over Albert Sumugat of Palawan A, 21-5, to rule the junior boys’ pinweight class.

Moralde, meanwhile, clobbered Jeff Rodriguez of Puerto Princesa C, 12-3, to win the junior boys’ light flyweight title while Pagala and Palicte dominated Mario Fernandez of Ablayan, Bukidnon, 18-4, and Robert Tompong of Palawan A, 15-9, to conquer the junior boys’ flyweight and bantamweight titles, respectively.

“These are the boxers that we’re looking at,” said RP Team head coach Pat Gaspi, who watched at the sidelines along with fellow mentors Roel Velasco, Boy Catolico and Romeo Brin.

“We already had our respective evaluations and we will finalize everything as soon as we get to Manila. Then we’ll inform their mother units of their selection and, if they will be allowed, we’ll bring them to Baguio to start their training right away.”

Saludar, however, might be turned over to the elite pool since he will be turning 19 this year.

The Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines needs five boxers in the boys and nine from the girls division to complete the squad.

Also ending up with a gold medal were Niel John Tabanao of Davao del Norte in the junior boys’ light bantamweight class, Mark Vincent Fernandez of Tagbilaran City in the junior boys’ featherweight class, Jhon Merced of Puerto Princesa C in the youth boys’ pinweight class, Glen Cantaveros of Davao del Norte in the youth boys’ light flyweight class, Jolan Bughanoy of Davao del Norte in the youth boys’ flyweight class, Carlo Suelo of Palawan A in the youth boys’ featherweight class, Jheritz Chavez of Mandaluyong City in the youth boys’ lightweight class, Dennis Galvan of Bago City in the youth boys’ light welterweight class.

In the girls’ division, emerging victorious were Lucy Bayo of Puerto Princesa C in the pinweight class, Winnie Verano of Valencia in the flyweight class and Rose Magbanua of Puerto Princesa A in the flyweight class while Maricris Igam of Palawan A and Catherine Jimena of Dexter Santos ruled the youth girls’ flyweight and bantamweight, respectively.

In the kids’ division, Ian Jan Fabia of Puerto Princesa City B won the kiddie weight title, Romel Tunacao of Mandaue City ruled the cotton weight class, Rafael Jalnaiz of Misamis Oriental claimed the vacuum weight crown, Robert Miguel Jalnaiz of Misamis Oriental clinched the ant weight plum, Arville Olaivar of Tagbilaran City captured the minimum weight honor and Ronnel Tagmolia of Bago City clinched the powder weight crown.

In the school boys’ division, ending up with a gold medal were Michael Bahena of Bago City (light mosquito weight class), Elimir Marcial (mosquito weight class), Joven Labordo of Bacolod City (light paper weight), Alvin Sibugan of Bacolod City (paper weight), Cholen Albago of Bago City (light pinweight), Geo Rafa of Tayabas City (pinweight), John Bryan Noces of Calinan, Davao (light flyweight) and Joshua de Vero of Bamban, Tarlac (bantamweight).

Davao del Norte of Cong. Anton Lagdameo copped the overall title with six gold, one silver and five bronze medals.

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VILORIA - RETIRE OR NOT?

Brian Viloria

By Gerry Ramos

FORMER two-time world champion Brian Viloria is keeping his options open as far as his boxing career is concerned.

Almost a week after suffering a shocking 12th round technical knockout loss to Colombian Carlos Tamara to relinquish his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown, Viloria said it will be too premature to come up with a decision yet on whether he’ll continue boxing or retire from the sport for good.

Together with fiancée, Erika Navarro, the former Sydney Olympian will be leaving for Los Angeles this weekend to meet and sit out with his management team and make plans on what’s next best for his career.

“It’s too hasty yet to come up with a decision now. I’ll sit down with my team once I arrive in L.A. and then discuss our next move.

“These are decisions I really have to weigh in when I come back to L.A.,” said Viloria, facing the media for the first time since that fateful setback at the hands of his Colombian conqueror.

The 29-year old Hawaii-born Filipino-American just came out of the Makati Medical Center Monday night after spending three days at the high-end hospital where he was rushed shortly after fainting inside his dressing room just minutes following his loss.

Still sporting a small bruise in his left eye covered by a small bandage, Viloria related over lunch at the Mabuhay Palace of the Manila Hotel that low potassium and dehydration caused him to lose a fight he was winning until the eight round.

“As much as I wanted to keep on fighting, when dehydration comes in, your body just shut off. My mind was strong. I wanted to fight, but my body tells otherwise,” recalled Viloria, who gained around 20 pounds days after the fight, owing it to what he referred to as `salt table’ given to him by his battery of doctors .

Humble in defeat, the ex-champion said Tamara is a great fighter.

“I remember one round where I know I hurt him. He was already gasping for air. So after that, I tried to pour everything on him, which unfortunately, took its toll on me later in the fight.

“Not to take away from Tamara, but he took all those punches I threw. He really is a great fighter,” Viloria added.

The Fil-Am boxer also credited referee Bruce McTavish for stopping the fight with 1:45 to go in the final round.

“It could have been worse,” said Viloria, admitting that initially he thought it was premature to stop the fight since “I’m not hurt and I was blocking all his punches.”

“But Bruce thought it was the right thing to do. I’m just happy I’m still alive.”

In the event he decides to continue his career, a major alternative is to move up in weight.

“Maybe I needed to go back at 115 (lb). 108 has been there for me for years now,” he said.

“I would rather die doing something I love than live doing something that I don’t.” -Philippine Boxing News.

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VICTORIO Saludar of Davao del Norte sends Willard Baguna of Puerto Princesa A down with a flurry of hard body punches in the youth boys' bantamweight quarterfinals of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Thursday at the Puerto Princesa coliseum. Saludar stopped Baguna in the first 24 seconds of the bout.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- Hard-hitting Victorio Saludar of Davao del Norte notched another remarkable win to barge into the finals of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship late Thursday at the Puerto Princesa coliseum here.

Punching with power and accuracy, the 18-year old younger brother of RP Team mainstay Rey Saludar needed only 24 seconds to crush Willard Baguna of Puerto Princesa C in the semifinals of their youth boys’ bantamweight match.

Baguna, who had to be carried down the ring by medical personnel after suffering a barrage of body blows, became Saludar’s latest victim since sending Ronel Parcon of Bacolod City to dreamland in the first round of their quarterfinal showdown Wednesday.

Parcon was downed for 30 seconds before he regained consciousness.

“Hard training kami ngayon kaya maganda ang kondisyon ko,” said Saludar, a first-year computer technician major at the Panabo College. “Pinaghandaan ko talaga ito dahil gusto ko mapasama sa RP Team at makalaro sa (Youth) Olympics.”

And with his strong performance, his wish seems very possible.

“He is the most consistent among all participants,” RP Team coach Pat Gaspi said. “He has speed, power and skills. But, of course, we still have to deliberate on his overall performance.”

Saludar will be clashing with Kiven James Gob of Tayabas City in the finals where 32 gold medals are at stake. Gob battered Gabriel Altarejos of the National Capital Region in their semifinal encounter, 20-8.

Other finalists in the youth boys division were John Merced of Puerto Princesa A and Aldrin Mori of Maasin City in the pinweight category, Glen Cantaveros of Davao del Norte and Ruiz Teosorio of Puerto Princesa A in the light flyweight category, Nico Magliquian of Tayabas and Jolan Bughanoy of Davao del Norte, Carlo Suello of Palawan A and Ian Abaniel of Puerto Princesa A in the featherweight class and Nathaniel Moltealto of Palawan A and Jheritz Chavez of Mandaluyong City in the lightweight class.

In the junior boys’ division, Mark Anthony Barriga of Davao del Norte and Albert Sumugat of Palawan A will clash in the finals of the pinweight class; Jefford Rodriguez of Puerto Princesa A and Engelbert Moralde of Davao City in the light flyweight class; Albert Pagala of Misamis Oriental and Mario Fernandez of Aglayan, Bukidnon in the flyweight class; James Palicte of Bago City and Robert Tompong of Palawan A in the bantamweight class; and Michael Delorino of Northern Samar and Mark Vincent Fernandez of Tagbilaran City in the featherweight class.

In the junior girls’ division, Lucy Bayo of Puerto Princesa A will collide with Aida Hugo of Puerto Princesa B in the finals of the pinweight class while Nilezza Petecio of Calinan, Davao City and Wenie Cline Verano of Valencia clash in the light flyweight finals and Catherine Jimena of Dexter Santos and Naome Tacda of Baguio City will square off in the finals of the bantamweight category.

The finalists in the kids’ division were; Ian Fabia of Puerto Princesa B and Dilmar Pillo of Boracay in the kiddie weight class, Rodel Pena of Puerto Princesa B and Romel Tunacao of Mandaue City in the cotton weight class, Rhezon Tarona of Mandaue City and Rafael Jalnaiz of Misamis Oriental in the vacuum weight class, Arville Olaivar of Tagbilaran City and Donnel Maamo of Misamis Oriental in the minimum weight class, and Ronel Tagamolila of Bago City and Reagan Rosales of Iligan City in the powder weight class.

Advancing to the finals of the school boys division are Raymart Alleva of Bago City and Michael Bahena of Davao del Norte in the light mosquito weight class, Elimir Marcial of Zamboanga and Rence Ryan Magarce of Davao del Norte in the mosquito weight class, Joven Labordo of Bacolod City and Welbor Tefolo of Palawan A in the light paperweight class, Alvin Sibogan of Bacolod City and Fernando Tacuyan of Mandaluyong City in the paperweight class, Cholen Albago of Bago City and Rodel Jaudian of Iligan City in the light pinweight class, and Sherwin Casiano of Taguig City and Geo Rea of Tayabas in the pinweight category.

Davao del Norte has the most number of finalists with seven wile Puerto Princesa C, Palawan A and Bago City have five boxers apiece.

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PALARO STANDOUT TAKES LIMELIGHT

JOLAN Bughanoy of Davao del Norte (red) and Raymund John Tabugon of Misamis Oriental (black) trade blows in the youth boys’ quarterfinals of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Wednesday at the Puerto Princesa coliseum. Bughanoy won via a referee-stopped-contest with 2:41 left in the second round

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- JOLAN Bughanoy and Mark Anthony Barr posted emphatic victories to lead Davao del Norte’s surge to the semifinals of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship late Wednesday at the Puerto Princesa coliseum here.

Bughanoy, the 18-year old reigning Palarong Pambansa champion, blasted bitter rival Raymund Jhon Tabugon of Misamis Oriental via a referee-stopped-contest in the quarterfinals of their youth boys’ flyweight match.

Barr, meanwhile, pulled an impressive 21-8 win over Espiridion Pubadora in the junior boys’ pinweight division to help Davao del Norte in its drive for the overall title since skipping last year’s edition in Bacolod City.

Davao del Norte remains the tournament topnotcher after sending 11 of its 16 entries to the semifinals while Misamis Oriental has six of its seven entries in the medal round. Also coming up with gallant effort in this five-day tourney were Bago City, Puerto Princesa A and Palawan which will be represented by five boxers each in the semis.

Semifinal action started late Thursday to coincide with the opening hostilities in the girls’ division.

“Isa siya sa pinakamahusay (na boxer) dito kaya pinaghandaan namin siya talaga,” said Bughanoy referring to his victim, who was the only Misamis Oriental bet that failed to reach the next round.

Another promising pug who stole the show was Nico Magliquian, a Talisay City native who is now campaigning for Tayabas, Quezon.

The nephew of two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist Juanito Magliquian impressed the crowd with his combination of speed and craftsmanship to escape an 11-9 victory over Raymund Lerio, the nephew of former 1996 Atlanta Olympian Arlan Lerio, in the quarterfinals of the junior boys’ flyweight division.

“He is our adopted son, the most hardworking boy in our stable,” Tayabas City vice-mayor Venerando Rea, who also acts as team manager of the tiny Tayabas contingent.

Other winners in the boys’ flyweight class were Jason Conception of Northern Samar, who won via the disqualification of Romel Cahilig of Boracay and Rey Milligin of Bacolod City, who stopped James Dela Cerna with only a second left in the three-round bout.

In the featherweight division, Ian Abaniel of Puerto Princesa C and Aljohn Tubieron of Caloocan City sealed their finals showdown after stopping their respective rivals while Antonio Lagsit of Sorsogon and Jheritz Chavez of Mandaluyong City won over their respective foes to square-off in the finals of the lightweight match.

Championship bouts start on Friday.

In the kids’ kiddie weight division, Ian Fabal of Puerto Princesa C won over EJ Nares of Tayabas City, 20-6; Richard Rama of Mandaue City overpowered Radili Abbas of Puerto Princesa C, 15-12; Dilmar Pillo of Boracay clobbered Jimmy Oberos of Mandaluyong City, 16-9; and Billy Ray Naelgas of Palawan frustrated Rolly Sepe of Davao del Norte, 38-19.

In the kids’ cotton weight class, Rodel Dona of Puerto Princesa B stopped Ivan Madanay of Davao del Norte; Jude Lescano of Bago City trampled Ejay Lopeto of Puerto Princesa A, 22-9; Romel Tunacao of Mandaue City smothered Denz Orcapa of Bacolod City, 13-4; and Ven Guardia of Valencia beat Andrie Monton of Tagbilaran City, 15-4.

Also winning in the kids’ powder weight class were Jude Merced of Puerto Princesa C, who won over Emjay Natan of Nueva Viscaya, 16-5; and Reagan Rosales of Iligan City, who humbled Jason Hina of Bicol Selection, 46-31.

In the school boys’ mosquito weight division, Jilnar Libranza of Cabadbaran City won over Regie Rapis of Boracay, 8-7; Elmer Marcial of Zamboanga stopped Robert Ellinas of Northern Samar in the first round; Mark Medel posted a 102-89 victory over Jeff Cabanas of Tayabas in the boxed-off; and Rence Magarce of Davao del Norte defeated Fernando Rodriguez of Valencia, 31-28. -Philippine Boxing News.

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PAGALA, SALUDAR STRIKE

ALBERT Pagala of Misamis Oriental throws a left hook at Harmon Jay Valedo of Baguio City in their quarterfinal match of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Tuesday night at the Puerto Princesa coliseum. Pagala won via a referee-stopped contest in the second round.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- Albert Pagala of Misamis Oriental and Victorio Saludar of Davao del Norte posted resounding victories as the bets from Mindanao continue to shine in the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Tuesday night at the Puerto Princesa coliseum here.

Pagala, the 17-year old brother of reigning Orient Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) champion Jason Pagala, booked a semifinal seat after stopping Harmon Jay Valedo of Baguio City in the second round of their junior boys’ flyweight showdown.

His victory sent five of the seven boxers under Misamis Oriental Gov. Oscar Moreno to the semifinals of this prestigious five-day tourney aimed at scouting potential talents that will compete in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics in August.

“Araw-araw akong nage-ensayo dahil gusto ko talagang makalaro sa Olympics,” said the soft-spoken Pagala, who credited his mentors, Gilbert Basadre and 1990 Asian Games gold medalist Roberto Jalnaiz, for his impressive win.

Apart from Pagala, also barging in the semis for Misamis Oriental were Ronald Abid, Raymund Jhon Tabugon, Rafael Jalnaiz and his elder brother, Robert Miguel.

Abid stopped Angelo Ilagan of Tayabas City in the second round of their youth boys’ light flyweight encounter while Tabugon hacked a convincing 26-16 victory over Gedion Cordova of Bago City in the youth boys’ flyweight action.

The highly-skilled Rafael Jalnaiz, meanwhile, shocked Mindanao leg champion Robert Paradero with a 9-6 decision in the kids’ vacuum weight division while Robert Miguel stopped Romer Dagoy of Zamboanga City with 57 seconds left in the second round of their kids’ ant weight encounter.

But it was Saludar, the younger brother of RP Team mainstay Rey Saludar, who posted the most impressive win in this tournament.

Saludar unleashed a wicked left hook to knock-out Ronel Parcon of Bacolod City in the third round of their youth boys’ bantamweight showdown. His stunning feat earned the nod of national coaches Pat Gaspi, Boy Catolico, Romeo Brin and Roel Velasco who were watching at the sidelines to scout for potential talents .

“He’s a power puncher,” Velasco said.

Also claiming their respective quarterfinal tickets in the junior boys’ featherweight division were Camiguin’s Jayson Umbal, who won after Bacolod City’s Christopher Ganje was disqualified with a head butt; Aglayan Bukidnon’s Mario Fernandez, who scored a 10-4 decision over Cris Paulino of Manila; and Davao del Norte’s Raffy Cavan, who pulled a 12-9 victory over Palawan A’s Mesaek Alpuerto.

In the youth boys’ division, another Davao del Norte bet, Glen Cantaveros, planted a solid right straight hook to knock Dagupan City’s out in the second round while Angelo Marcial scored a 16-7 decision over Arnel Tapang of Mandaluyong City and Puerto Princesa A’s Ruiz Lorenzo Tesorio stopped Martin Cordova of Bago City in the first round.

In the youth boys’ flyweight category, James Dela Cerna of Mandaluyong City posted a convincing 22-14 win over Dave Asilo of Puerto Princesa C while Reg Milligin of Bacolod City outboxed Jayson Entia of Maasin City, 23-8.

In the kids’ kiddie weight division, Palawan’s Billy Ray Naelgas won over Tagbilaran City’s Regor Suganob, 18-3, while Andrei Monton of Tagbilaran City posted second round stoppage of Gabriel Rosas of Maasin City. -Philippine Boxing News

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FAMILIAR NAMES MAKE PRESENCE FELT

ROBERT Miguel Jalnaiz of Misamis Oriental battles Jeffrey Stella of Mandaue City in kids' ant weight category of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Monday night at the Puerto Princesa coliseum. Jalnaiz won, 13-3.

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- A three-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist took the thunder while the sons of a former Olympian made their presence felt in the opening day of the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship Monday night at the Puerto Princesa coliseum here.

Mark Anthony Barriga of Panabo City scored an impressive victory over Arjay Aguilar of Bicol, 23-1, to advance to the quarterfinals of the junior boys’ pinweight category of this prestigious five-day tourney which stakes a total of 14 slots in the national youth squad.

The 16-year old Barriga, a first-year commerce student from Panabo College who dominated the past three editions of Palarong Pambansa, bombarded Aguilar with a flurry of head and body punches right from the opening bell to notch the lopsided win that impressed national coaches Pat Gaspi, Romeo Brin, Roel Velasco and Boy Catolico.

The four coaches were on the sidelines to scout potential talents that will compete in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics in August.

“Gusto ko talaga siyang ma-knock out para mapasama ako sa RP (youth) team,” said Barriga, the second of the three children of a machine operator and a housekeeper.

“Pero mahaba pa ‘yan. Madami pang pwedeng mangyari. Magagaling din ang mga kalaban ko dito.”

Also impressive were the sons of 1992 Barcelona Olympian Roberto Jalnaiz who are representing Misamis Oriental under Gov. Oscar Moreno.

Rafael Jalnaiz, 10, pulled an 11-5 decision over Kent Jasper Fuentes of Palawan in the kids’ vacuum weight category while his elder brother, 12-year old Robert Miguel, humbled Jeffrey Stella of Mandue City, 13-3, in the kids’ ant weight category.

“Araw-araw ensayo nyang mga batang iyan. Tinututukan ko talaga sila dahil alam kong madaming malalakas (na kalaban) dito,” said Jalnaiz, who was remembered as the lone Filipino gold medalist in the 1990 Beijing Asian Games.

Wrapping up the elimination round in the kids’ ant weight class are Michael Joerge Codilla, who won over Joseph Orevello, 10-9, Justine Carl Fajardo of Puerto Princesa A, who stopped Jake Tabares of Caloocan in the second round, and Romer Dagoy of Zamboanga, who edged Dave Luna of Puerto Princesa C, 13-11.

In the kids’ vacuum weight, Ryan Jaime Flores of Bago City emerged victorious over Jason Pia of Davao, 10-7, Wencyl Brian Abes of Baguio City dominated Franklin Pagdatu of Puerto Princesa C, 16-11, Rhezon Tarona of Mandaue City clobbered John Zedrick Borce of Puerto Princesa A, 12-7, Mario Bautista of Negros Occidental conquered Jude Chia of Puerto Princesa B, 21-7, and Robert Paradero of Bukidnon stopped Emmanuel Tapia Jr. in the second round.

In the school boys’ light mosquito weight class, Michael Bahena was declared the winner after Ryan Torres of La Union gave him a head butt while Matthew Jagmis of Puerto Princesa C hacked an 18-12 victory over Jayson Dagelio of Tagbilaran.

Eljean Hermedalla of Bacolod A and Philip Luis Cuerdo of Mandaluyong also won, clobbering Sonny Sagbaulan of Puerto Princesa B (9-1) and McJoe Lozada of Palawan (23-11), respectively.

Also advancing to the quarterfinals of the junior boys’ pinweight class that starts today were Espiridion Pubadora of Iloilo, Rodney Bernardo of Palawan, Jude Cheng of Cordillera, Alfer Sumugat of Palawan and Frederick Magbanua of Puerto Princesa B.

In the flyweight class, Cris Paulino of Manila, Raffey Cavan of Davao del Norte, Mesar Alpuerto of Palawan A were declared winners as well as Arnel Tapang of Mandaluyong, Marcial Angelo of Taguig, Ruiz Lorenzo Tesorio of Puerto Princesa A and Martin Cordova of Bago City.

In the junior boys’ bantamweight division, Kevin James of Tayabas, Leonil Bordeos of Northern Samar and Gabriel Altajeros of National Capital Region also claimed their respective quarterfinal tickets.

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TALENT ABOUND IN NAT'L AMATEUR BOXFEST

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- Second-generation boxers failed to make it, but the 2010 Smart-Abap National Amateur Boxing Championship is still overflowing with talent with the participation of rising stars eager to clinch a slot in the national youth squad.

Abap executive director Ed Picson said Monday the grandson of boxing great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde and son of former junior lightweight champion Rolando Navarete qualified, but had a last-minute change of heart due to personal reasons.

Justine Konstantine Elorde knocked out Jeric Diaz to win the 52-kilogram crown in the junior boys (14-16 years old) division of the National Capital Region qualifier in Mandaluyong City last year while Rolando Jr. captured the 46-kilogram title after stopping Edwin Joaquino in the third round.

And with the absence of these two promising boxers, attention will be focused on Bago City’s James Palicti in the 52-kilogram of the junior boys division and Dennis Galban in the 64-kilogram category of the youth (17-18 years old) division.

Sydney-based pug Robin Palileo, the protégé of 1972 Olympian Ric Fortaleza, will also see action to defend his 57-kilogram title in the youth division.

“It could have been more exciting if Elorde and Navarete Jr. join us to compete against the finest young boxers in the country,” Picson said.

“But it’s okay. The field remains stronger than we thought. We’re expecting an exciting, action-packed week, especially with the presence of other topnotch boxers who won the title in their respective regions.”

Opening hostilities started at 4:30 pm at the Puerto Princesa gymnasium here with no less than Puerto Princesa mayor Edward Hagedorn and Abap president Ricky Vargas gracing the simple opening ceremony.

Abap officials, including vice-president Manny Lopez and the directors from 17 regions, also flew in to attend a luncheon board meeting where Picson presented the plans and programs of the federation as well as their accomplishments in the 3rd Asian Indoor Games and 25th Southeast Asian Games.

A total of 224 boxers and 72 coaches and officials confirmed their participation in this prestigious tournament which stakes 14 slots in the national youth squad for the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics in August.

National coaches Patricio Gaspi, Roel Velasco, Romeo Brin and Boy Catolico will also be at the ringside to serve as the selection panel in this nationwide tryout. -Philippine Boxing News.

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NATIONAL AMATEUR BOXING TILT UNDERWAY

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY-- A total of 224 young boxers and 72 coaches and officials gathered together in this striking paradise city Sunday to compete in the Smart-Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) National Amateur Boxing Championship starting today at the Puerto Princesa gymnasium.

Billed as the “battle of the bests,” the five-day tournament features the talent of the survivors in the four regional championships which Abap hosted in Tayabas, Quezon, Ormoc City, Panabo City and Mandaluyong City last year.

Those who did not win but showed a lot of promise were also invited since the competition also serves as the tryout for the RP youth squad in the 2010 Singapore Youth Olympics in August and, possibly, in the 2012 London Olympics. The qualifying tournament for the Singapore Youth Olympics is set in Baku, Azerbaijan in April.

The competitors will be divided into four age groups with eight to nine weight classes each for boys and girls.

Although the school-based (11-12 years old) and kids (12-13 years old) divisions are expected to generate attention, Abap executive director Ed Picson said the junior (14-16 years old) and youth (17-18 years old) divisions are expected to be crucial since majority of the discoveries will come from those age brackets.

Picson said national coaches Patricio Gaspi, Nolito Velasco, Romeo Brin and Glicerio “Boy” Catolico will be on the sidelines to asses the potential of the young boxers as well as Abap president Ricky Vargas and secretary-general Patrick Gregorio.

“This tournament will be the battle of the bests,” Picson said. “We don’t want to miss the opportunity of discovering another Onyok Velasco or Harry Tanamor. Our (Singapore Youth) Olympic campaign depends on the outcome of this tournament.”

“Our program is inclusive and not exclusive. We don’t want to commit a mistake of ignoring a young talent who could give us an Olympic gold medal a few years from now,” said Vargas in a previous statement.

Picson added that Charly Suarez is a discovery of Abap’s talent identification program before becoming one of the five pugs who won the gold medal in the 25th Southeast Asian Games.

“He worked his way up,” he said. “He was part of the youth team for two to three years before winning the gold in Laos.”

Expected to dominate the talent-laden field are bets from powerhouse province like Davao, Cebu, Negros Occidental, Quezon and Palawan which produced prolific Filipino boxers like Brin and Josie Gabuco. -Philippine Boxing News.

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WHERE TO, BRIAN?

Referee Bruce McTavish steps in to stop the fight after Brian Viloria goes down, giving Carlos Tamara a 12th round technical knockout win.

By Gerry Ramos

AMIDST speculations on what’s next for Brian Viloria following his brutal 12th round technical knockout loss to Colombian Carlos Tamara Saturday, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain believes retirement should not be among the boxer’s immediate priority.

"No, not now. He still has a lot more to give,” said Buhain a day after the 29-year old Honolulu-born Filipino-American yielded his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight belt to Tamara.

The loss was among the worst in Viloria’s 29 fights as a pro. Exhaustion obviously caught up with him in the later rounds, so much so that he twice slipped in the final round as he tried to throw wild punches against Tamara in a futile bid to land a big one.

For the second straight time, Viloria’s reign as a world champion proved to be a short one.

He briefly held the World Boxing Council (WBC) version of the 108-lb belt in 2005, defending it just once before losing it to Omar Nino Romero by way of unanimous decision in less than a year.

His reign as IBF champion also didn’t last a year as he was just able to defend it against Jesus Iribe last August in Hawaii, before the heartbreaking end came on that fateful Saturday morning at the Astrodome.

Immediately, there were calls for Viloria to finally hang up his gloves after losing a title fight he dominated for the first eight rounds only to wear out in the end.

The Viloria camp, including manager Gary Githelson and trainer Robert Garcia, remained mum on the future of the former 2000 Sydney Olympian as he tries to recover first from that stunning loss to Tamara.

By Sunday, doctors at the Makati Medical Center declared Viloria in stable condition, but advised him to remain on the hospital for at least two more days.

Dra. Regina Makalintal said tests conducted on the former two-time boxing champion yielded negative results, including the CT scans. She added Viloria is wide awake and is already talking.

Follow up tests would be conducted on Viloria as precautionary measure, according to Githelson, who also advised his boxer to take a rest by staying in Manila for another week before returning back to the U.S.

Viloria was rushed to the hospital shortly after the fight when he complained that he felt weak just as he entered his dressing room shortly after the fight.

He was at the receiving end of 14 unanswered punches by the 26-year old Tamara when referee Bruce McTavish decided to waive off the fight at the 1:45 mark of the 12th round.

Viloria hinted about life after boxing during the press conference of his 12-round fight with Tamara, saying going to tv broadcasting is among his option since he’s a broadcasting major.

“After Saturday, that’s the only time that I will know my future,” he said prophetically. -Philippine Boxing

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OH, NO!

BY Gerry Ramos

BRIAN Viloria stunned the boxing world once more the way he did nine months ago.

The 29-year old Filipino yielded his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title following a major upset pulled off by Colombian Carlos Tamara in their 12-round fight Saturday before a shocked crowd of 6,000 at the Astrodome.

Viloria was in full command of the match until the eight round when fatigue finally caught up with him and wore him down, allowing the resilient challenger the opening he needed to turn the tide around.

The 26-year old Tamara poured in the heat from the ninth onwards, peppering Viloria with combinations left and right until coming through with 14 unanswered punches that had the Filipino wobbly and on the verge of getting knock down in the 12th and final round.

That was the signal for referee Bruce McTavish to step in and stop the fight at the 1:45 mark for a technical knockout win for the new 108-lb champion.

‘We never had a doubt from Day 1 that we could win it. He just went after Villoria and everything he has,” said Tamara through his trainer and interpreter Butch Sanchez.

“But Brian Viloria is an excellent fighter, an excellent person,” added the Colombian in giving praise to the fallen champion.

Viloria, who pulled off one of boxing’s biggest stunners last year by dethroning durable Mexican Ulises Solis to wrest the IBF light-flyweight belt at the Araneta Coliseum, was a no-show at the post-fight press conference as he was rushed to the nearby San Juan De Dios hospital after complaining to his trainer Robert Garcia and manager Gary Gitthelson that he felt weak.

He was later transferred at the Makati Medical Center for further check-up (see separate story)

Curiously, Viloria was ahead in two of the judges’ scorecard - 105-104 (Ray Reed of Australia) and 106-103 (Joe Garcia of the U.S.) – with the other one favoring Tamara, 105-104 (Samsak Sirianant of Thailand).

The 2000 Sydney Olympian boxed beautifully in the opening half of the fight, connecting with solid overhand rights and punishing body punches that rocked Tamara a number of times.

Then the turning point came.

“I noticed that Viloria looked very, very tired in the later rounds and that gave me motivation to continue putting in more and more pressure. And as I keep on putting on the pressure, Viloria was looking very tired,” said Tamara, a 2004 Athens Olympian who improved to 21-4 overall, with 15 KOs.

On several occasions Tamara had Viloria on wobbly knees, although the dethroned champion refused to go away, energized by the crowd’s repeated chanting of his name.

But Tamara finished him off with a flurry of punches in the final round that proved too much for a punch-drank fighter like Viloria.

So exhausted the Honolulu-born Filipino was that he slipped twice in the 12th round while throwing a couple of wild punches against Tamara.

The loss was the 3rd in 29 fights (15 KOs) for Viloria, a two-time world champion whose future now hangs in the balance following the painful beating he suffered at the hands of Tamara.

Although the new light-flyweight champion expressed his desire to give Viloria a rematch, he’s actually looking at a possible unification fight against undefeated World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Ivan Calderon.

“We’ve just beaten Brian Viloria now. We want Ivan Calderon next,” said the Colombian.

In the co-main event of the boxing card presented by Solar Sports, reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimum-weight champion Donnie Nietes scored a 10th round technical knockout over Mexican Jesus Silvestre in a 10-round non-title bout.

The end came in the final 1:37 of the last round when Silvestre spit out his mouthpiece and refused to wear it back even upon the insistence of his corner, prompting referee Ver Abainza to stop the fight.

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READY TO RUMBLE

Viloria (right) and Tamara

By Gerry Ramos

EAT, sleep and breathe Carlos Tamara. That has been the mindset of boxing champion Brian Viloria the past three months.

“All in my mind right now is Carlos Tamara,” said the 29-year old former Olympian.

Now everything comes to fruition as Viloria finally faces Tamara in a 12-round fight at the Astrodome where his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title will be at stake.

Known as the `Hawaiian Punch’, Viloria is making the second defense of the 108-lb belt he won nine months ago with a big upset of tough Mexican Ulises Solis at the Araneta Coliseum.

While Tamara, 26, may not be in the same league as Solis, Viloria is aware he’ll be in for a long day against the challenger from Columbia.

“Carlos is a tough fighter, so this is going to be a great fight, that’s for sure,” said Viloria. “I did everything I needed to do in training. Hopefully, it’s going to show tomorrow. I am ready for this fight.”

The champion (26-2, 15 KOs) came in at exactly 108-pounds during the official weigh-in Friday morning at the Centennial Hall of the Manila Hotel.

Tamara came half-a-pound over the limit and had to strip down completely to make the weight on his second try.

Notwithstanding that minor hitch, the challenger, ranked no, 7 by the IBF, remains confident he’ll be able to dethrone the Filipino in his second shot at a world title.

“Like in every fight, I am going to give it all. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, so I vowed to bring home the title,” said Tamara, born in Sincelejo, Colombia but now based in North Bergen, New Jersey.

Instead of being at the Madison Square Garden for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight defense of another ward, Steven Luevano, against fearsome, unbeaten Puerto Rican Juan Manuel Lopez, trainer Robert Garcia opted to be in Manila and man the corner of Viloria on the day of the fight card dubbed `Collision Course’ and which Solar Sports is presenting.

“Brian is in tremendous shape, The way he’s mind is set is where he is right now,” said Garcia.

In the main undercard, reigning WBO minimumweight champion Donnie Nietes squares off with Mexican Jesus Silvestre in a 10-round, non-title fight.

Nietes made the 107-lb limit but had to initially shed off a pound before tipping the scales. Silvestre, who arrived just last Thursday, came in exactly at 107.

Others included in the undercard are comebacking Jimrex Jaca, who meets Ramadhan Weriu of Indonesia in a 10-round lightweight duel, and reigning Philippine lightweight champion Jason Pagara, up against Indonesian Eddy Comaro in a 10-round match.

The fight card will also see the pro debut of former two-time world champion Dodie Boy Penalosa’s son, Dodie Boy Jr, against Anthony Balubar in a six-rounder at super-bantamweight.

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I COME TO WIN - - TAMARA

Viloria and Tamara both flash the no. 1 sign

By Gerry Ramos

CARLOS Tamara considers Brian Viloria one of the best in boxing’s light-flyweight division right now.

But as great as his respect for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) champion, the challenger from Colombia is confident he’ll return back to his country wearing the Filipino’s 105-lb belt.

Three days before he comes face-to-face with Viloria for their 12-round title fight dubbed `Collission Course’ at the Astrodome, Tamara declared he came here prepared and will not put to waste this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

“Brian Viloria is one of the best 108-lb fighters in the world. I expect a very tough fight, but I will fight Viloria and win the title,” said the 26-year old challenger (20-4, 14 KOs) through his interpreter Butch Sanchez when he faced the local press for the first time during the formal presentation of the boxing card put up by Solar Sports Wednesday at the Millenium room of the Manila Hotel.

Tamara, who, like Viloria, saw action in the Olympics during the 2004 Athens Games, has won his last three bouts since a failed title bid for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light-flyweight championship against Omar Andres Narvaez in 2008.

“Like the title of this fight, `Collision Course,’ that’s what it’s gonna be on Saturday,” said the Colombian fighter now based in New Jersey, USA, where he also trained for the fight.

“Like in every fight, I’m going to give my best. I’ve been waiting for this my whole life, so I’ll definitely bring home the title with me.”

For Viloria, a member of the 2000 US boxing team to the Sydney Olympics, this marks the second time he’s staking the IBF crown he won by way of a spectacular 11th round knockout of durable Mexican Ulises Solis last year at the Araneta Coliseum.

He successfully defended the belt in August against Mexican Jesus Iribe with a unanimous decision in his first fight in Hawaii in the last six years.

Viloria, 29, expects to get the same result as his fight with Tamara.

“It’s going to be a great fight, that’s for sure. It’s gonna be exciting, it’s gonna be fun. I’m going to bring my best boxing, so I hope he brings his best boxing, too,” said the champion (26-2, 15 KOs).

In the co-main event of the fight card, reigning WBO minimum weight champion Donnie `Ahas’ Nietes duels with Mexican Jesus Silvestre in a 10-round non-title fight.

Although Silvestre carries a respectful 15-1, 12 KOs record, the 27-year old Nietes vows to win by knockout on Saturday.

“I-knockout ko ito talaga,” said the WBO title holder, who carries a ring mark of 25-1, including 14 KOs.

Also present during the fight launching were Viloria’s trainer Robert Garcia and Solar Sports executives Wilson Tieng and Peter Chanliong.

Other prominent local fighters seeing action in the undercard of the `Collision Course’ include Jimrex Jaca, who takes on Indonesian Ramadhan Weriu and Jason Pagara against Eddy Camaro also of Indonesia.

The fight card will also see the debut of former amateur standout Dodie Boy Penalosa Jr., namesake and son of the former two-time world champion, who fights Anthony Balubar in a six-rounder at 112 lbs.

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THEY MEET, FINALLY

Pacquiao and Clottey with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones

DALLAS, Texas – It’s not a fight with the same magnitude of a Manny Pacquiao-Floyd Mayweather Jr. showdown.

But Joshua Clottey believes he will be up to the task in giving the boxing champion from the Philippines one hell of a fight.

“This is going to be a hell of a fight,” Clottey said. “I love Manny Pacquiao. If you throw (punches) at him, he will throw back at you. I know what I'm going to face.”

Pacquiao and Clottey began promoting their March 13 welterweight fight on Tuesday, moving past failed talks with Mayweather and looking ahead.

Pacquiao, 50-3 with two drawn and 38 knockouts, will defend his World Boxing Organization title against Clottey, 35-3 with 21 knockouts on the same date he was expected to face unbeaten US star Mayweather before negotiations broke off.

“It's going to be a good fight,” Pacquiao said. “Clottey, he is a good fighter, a top fighter, and he is bigger than me. I have to prepare hard for this fight and train hard and focus.”

Mayweather's request for unprecedented random blood testing was rejected by Pacquiao's camp to deny boxing fans a long-awaited showdown between the sport's pound-for-pound kings that could have been a 40 million-dollar payday for each.

But Clottey served notice that he intends to be more than simply a fill-in fighter destined to fall to the Philippines' powerhouse.

The match up will headline the first fight card at 1.2 billion-dollar Cowboys Stadium, home of the famed American football squad from Dallas. Each fighter sported a Cowboys jersey as cheerleaders screamed beneath a huge video screen.

“It's a building for great competitions. It bodes well for us to get Manny Pacquiao into the ring,” said Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, whose guarantee of 25 million dollars was not enough to bring a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight together.

Freddie Roach, Pacquiao's trainer, made it clear after the news conference that hard feelings remain over the failure to make Pacquiao-Mayweather happen after a compromise of no blood test within two weeks of the fight.

Pacquiao “is disappointed the fight is not here,” Roach told ESPN. “Life goes on without Mayweather. He wouldn't agree to (a limit of) 14 days before the fight. We did our best to appease him but he wouldn't go along with it.

“Mayweather's people agreed to it but Mayweather wouldn't go along with it. I don't think he wants to fight (Manny). It was a smoke screen for him to say no.

“I want to beat this guy's ass, believe me, but he won't give us the opportunity... We will fight him any day of the week. But he doesn't make the rules.”

Pacquiao dislikes having blood drawn so near a fight, saying it weakens him. Roach said he could not afford a blood test to distract "Pac-Man" so near a fight and dismissed the idea his fighter had anything to hide.

“There are always doubters out there but Manny Pacquiao is clean,” Roach said. “He has passed every drug test in the world.”

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`AHAS' WON'T TAKE THIS ONE LIGHTLY

Nietes shows off his fist. Beside him is trainer Franklin Albia

DONNIE `Ahas’ Nietes plans to defend his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimuweight belt three or more times before moving up in weight next year.

And that includes a possible unification title fight against World Boxing Council (WBC) champion Oleydong Sithsamerchai of Thailand, which the Filipino champion referred to as his dream match at 105-lb.

“Yun ang isa sa mga gusto ko sanang mangyari bago ako umakyat ng timbang,” said the 27-year old Nietes in yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Shakey’s U.N. Avenue branch.

Sithsamerchai, 24, is undefeated in 33 fights, but with only 12 knockouts. He defended his WBC version of the belt for the third time last Nov. 28 with a majority decison over Juan Palacios of Nicaragua.

“Three or four more title defense, at tsaka siguro ako aakyat ng timbang,” added Nietes, stressing he haven’t had a hard time yet meeting the 105-lb limit.

Fighting under the famed ALA boxing promotions, Nietes will be seeing action in the co-main event of Brian Villoria’s defense of his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown against Colombian Carlos Tamara at the Astrodome this coming Saturday.

Nietes will be up against Mexican Jesus Silvestre in a 10-round non-title bout. Silvestre (15-1, 12 Kos) is a a last-minute replacement after compatriot Ivan Meneses and Sammy Gutierrez.

Franklin Albia, Nietes’ trainer said Silvestre has a very good left uppercut.

“Yun ang medyo dapat naming iwasan, yung uppercut ang madalas niyang bitawan,” he said.

Despite the change in his opponents three times, Nietes said nothing has changed as far as his training is concerned, adding he already logged in a total of 160 sparring rounds for his first fight in 2010.

“One hundred percent na po tayong ready para sa laban na ito,” said the champion (25-1, 14 Kos) who is coming off a majority decision over Manuel Vargas last September in Mexico.

Fans who will be looking forward to seeing Nietes carry his pet python in Saturday’s fight would be disappointed however. Don, the 16-feet snake that has been under the care of the champion for the past three years now, won’t be climbing up the ring with the Filipino.

“Mahirap kasing dalhin ang ahas sa biyahe. Kapag laban lang sa Cebu ko talaga siya dinadala,” added Nietes.

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FACE-OFF

By Gerry Ramos

MANNY Pacquiao and Joshua Clottey comes face-to-face for the very first time when the two appear in the press conference Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) for their March 13 title fight at the Dallas Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Both fighters already arrived in Arlington, some 20 minutes from downtown Dallas, a day before the press meet and accompanied by Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum.

The event is the first of a whirlwild press tour Top Rank arranged to hype the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight showdown between two of the division’s biggest names.

Following the presser, the two groups will be planed to New York City for a similar presscon at the Madison Square Garden.

And then from there, formal training begins for both Pacquiao and Clottey. The challenger will stay in New York where he is already based, while the champion goes straight to Los Angeles at the Wild Card gym of trainer Freddie Roach.

The duel with Clottey came about after negotiations for Pacquiao’s supposed meag-fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. fell through owing to a disagreement on the blood testing procedures to be done on both fighters.

To show that the drug testing method he’s been demanding for Pacquiao to undertake is not merely a publicity stunt, Mayweathe Jr., through his adviser Leonard Ellerbe, will now require all his future opponents to take the same test.

“Whoever fights Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the future, that person will be subjected to random blood and urine testing,” Ellerbe told the Grand Rapids Press. “I don’t care who he fights, that will be the case.

“Floyd is out front, championing this effort to change the way the sport is handled in the future.”

Since his fight with Pacquiao was called off, the Mayweather camp has not announced his next opponent, although a new development arose Tuesday when Sugar Shane Mosley suddenly became available following the cancellation of his January 30 welterweight unification bout with Andre Berto of Haiti.

Upon learning that the 12-round fight set 12 days from now had been cancelled following Berto’s withdrawal in the wake of the magnitude 7.0 earthquake that his his country, the Mayweather camp expressed interest on negotiating for a showdown with Mosley probably by the first week of May.

“If Shane Mosley is available, Floyd would like nothing more than to beat his ass,” said Ellerbe.

Mosley wants nothing more than a slugfest with Mayweather Jr., whether he’ll undergo drug test or not.

“They could do a test everyday if they want. There’s nothing in my veins. I’m naturally strong. I’m just strong, period. You could take a drug test any day of the week,” he said.

And although he didn’t accused Pacquiao of being into performance-enhancing drugs, he said the Filipinos’ refusal in acceeding to Mayweather’s demand leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

“From the outside looking in, I would say, why won’t you get the test? Because of the blood or he feels he would geat weak when he takes test, but I would rather take it 30 days before than the week of the fight.

“It’s not going to mess up my fight 30 days before. I’m not going to say Pacquiao is doing anything, but he is a little questionable, just a little bit,” said Mosley.

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BEST OF THE BEST IN NAT'L YOUTH AMATEUR BOXFEST

By Gerry Ramos

THE best of the best in amateur boxing will gather and compete in Puerto Princesa City a week from now when the charming province hosts the 2010 National Youth Amateur Boxing Championships.

With a few days left before the Jan. 25-29 meet formally kicks off, the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) announced that 270 entries – and counting - are already confirmed of seeing action in the first big event the country’s governing body in boxing is staging for the year 2010.

“The figures are as of Wednesday last week. We haven’t check yet if there are other new entries,” said ABAP executive director Ed Picson during the formal launching of the tournament Monday at the new ABAP gym inside the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

With Picson during the presentation were ABAP president Ricky Vargas, secretary-general Patrick `Pato’ Gregorio and host Mayor Edward Hagedorn, who flew all the way from Puerto Princesa to Manila.

Participants in the Smart-sponsored event are vying in the 11-12 school boys division, 12-13 kids division, 13-14 juniors division and 14-18 youth division.

Majority of the boxers made it through the four different qualifiers ABAP held last year in Tayabas, Ormoc, Panabo and the National Capital Region, while others whom the boxing body perceived as qualified enough were also handpicked to participate.

Previously referred to as the National Open, Picson said the tournament has been turned into an Invitational this year in order to avoid mismatches.

“In the past when we hold the National Open, kahit sino puwedeng umakyat sa ring at lumaban, kasi Open nga. Kaya ang nangyayari, `yung mga national team members natin ang siyang nananalo,” Picson explained.

“Pero ngayon iba na. Ito best of the best na ito.”

Vargas added the tournament is part of ABAP’s year-long program for 2010 that also includes the qualifier for the World Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and the Olympic qualifying meet in Azerbaijan.

Gregorio said all of these are beamed in preparing the country in its quest for the elusive Olympic gold in the 2012 London Games.

For his part, Hagedorn said it is a pleasure for his province to host the biggest amateur boxing event this year.

“Alam ninyo naman na we’re promoting Puerto Princesa as a major sports tourism place sa ating bansa,” said the long-time mayor, who didn’t fail to mention the contribution of the province to amateur boxing in the person of three-time Olympian Romeo Brin and Southeast Asian Games gold medal winner Annie Gabuco.

Vargas also took the occasion to present the pair of Smart head gears and gloves which ABAP is giving out for free to all accredited members of the association.

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HOMEWARD-BOUND

By Gerry Ramos

AFTER three months, Filipino boxer Z `The Dream’ Gorres is finally going home.

The 27-year old protégée of the famed ALA boxing stable has been officially discharged from the University Medical Center (UMC) in Las Vegas over the weekend and will now just undergo a three-week rehabilitation procedure before returning to the country on February 4.

Gorres collapsed inside the ring shortly after scoring a 10-round decision against Columbian Luis Mendez at the House of Blues of the Mandalay Bay last Nov. 13

A lethal left cross by Melendez sent Gorres down in the canvas in the final round, but managed to get up and finish the fight before he fell unconscious just when he was about to leave the ring.

He was immediately rushed to the UMC and underwent operation to relieve the swelling on his brain caused by a blood clot.

Gorres, diagnosed to have suffered a life-threatening subdural hematoma (traumatic brain injury), is undergoing rehabilitation through the supervision of UMC physician Benito Calderon.

The boxer will be accompanied home by his wife Datches.

“Gorres and Datches will stay temporarily in the house of Dr. Benito Calderon’s staff, Richard, who happens to be Z Gorres’ fan,” said trainer Tony Martin in an interview with PhilBoxing.

“This will enable him (Gorres) to undergo rehabilitation without unnecessary inconvenience since the house is near Dr. Calderon’s clinic," he added.

Gorres already started his rehabilitation program in a bid to regain strength in his upper body and lower extremeties. He was able to walk a few steps already, according to the same boxing website.

During his two-month stay at the UMC, a piece of Gorres’ skull – the size of a man’s hand – had to be removed to give his battered brain room to swell, otherwise the swelling would be confined to his skulls and would have compressed his brain stem and shut down his breathing and heart, explained UMC trauma surgeon Dr. Michael Casey in an earlier interview with The Las Vegas Review Journal.

“After nearly two months of around-the-clock nursing care and a team of physical therapists who are helping him walk and talk again, Gorres is on the way to becoming a functional human being who will be able to care for his wife and four children," Casey told The LVRJ’s Paul Harasim.

Prior to the accident, Gorres was supposed to figure in an eliminator for the WBO bantamweight crown.

In the recent `Bakbakan sa Sinulog’ boxing card at the Waterfront Hotel, a tribute to Gorres was made prior to the main event featuring Milan Melindo and Anthony Villareal.

Part of the proceeds generated during the promotion presented by Smart, ALA Promotions and TV-5 and also featured AJ Banal against Cecilio Santos, will be used to shoulder the financial expenses Gorres incurred at the UMC.

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CLOTTEY VOWS KO WIN

By Gerry Ramos

JOSHUA Clottey has began preparation for his March 13 title fight with boxing sensation Manny Pacquiao, whom he vows to knock out in a bid to shock the world.

The 32-year old challenger from Ghana is already back in the U.S. just a few days ago to sign the fight contract, after which, Clottey said, he has started some light training by running in the morning and in the evening.

“Yes, this is the fight I have always wanted. I’ve always wanted fights like this – against the best fighters in the world,” said Clottey in an interview by East Side Boxing.

This developed as both Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr., came out negative during the random-style urine testing procedure conducted on them, before negotiations for their projected 12-round mega-bout fell apart two weeks ago.

Nevada State Athletic Commission executive director Keith Kizer announced that the urine samples taken from the two boxing icons “came back negative for all prohibited substances.”

Pacquiao and Mayweather were ordered to undergo the procedure as part of a random out-of-competition drug-testing practice of the commission, since both fighters are licensed in Nevada.

The two provided samples last March 28.

Pacquiao was tested in his hometown in General Santos City, the sample of which was taken in Malaysia, while Mayweather underwent the same process in his hometown in Las Vegas.

A disagreement in the drug-testing procedure to be conducted on Pacquiao and Mayweather hindered what many believe could have been the richest and biggest fight ever in the history of boxing.

But Mayweather’s loss, turned out to be Clottey’s gain as Top Rank Promotions picked him as replacement for the 12-round bout at the Dallas Cowboys Arena in Arlington, Texas where Pacquiao’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title will be at stake.

Given the opportunity to face the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter, Clottey said he’s not about to let the once-in-a lifetime opportunity slips away.

“I really want to prove my point in this fight, prove to the whole world that I am the best. I’m so happy to get this fight with the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world,” said Clottey, a former International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight title holder.

Owner of a record 35-3 (with 20 KOs), Clottey hasn’t been knocked out in his entire pro career, although he was knocked down in the first round by Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in his last outing, a fight which not a few people believe, the Ghananian won.

Cotto, like Pacquiao, is also a southpaw.

But Clottey said he has no problem facing a left hander.

“One thing about me is I know how to handle southpaws easy. Miguel Cotto switched to southpaw in the fight and it was no problem,” he said.

“So, I’m not concerned about Pacquiao’s stance. I can handle that good.”

Meanwhile, Pacquiao will be leaving for the U.S. today as Top Rank has prepared a Jan. 18 press conference for his fight against Clottey in Dallas, and another one in New York City the following day (Jan. 19).

By Jan. 20, the Filipino is expected to arrive in Los Angeles and began his training at the Wild Card gym.

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MELINDO, BANAL WIN

Melindo (right) charges against Villareal

CEBU City – Unbeaten Milan Melindo and comebacking AJ `Bazooka’ Banal moved closer to a possible shot at a world boxing title by fashioning out contrasting wins Thursday night before a big crowd at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino here.

Melindo kept his winning streak by wresting the World Boxing Council (WBC) Youth Intercontinental flyweight crown from American Anthony Villareal following a 10-round unanimous decision, while Banal scored an impressive fourth round knockout of Mexican Cecilio Santos in a similar 10-round bout at bantamweight.

The two matches served as the main offering of the `Bakbakan Sa Sinulog’ boxing card presented by Smart, TV-5, ALA boxing promotions and the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP).

“Sana pang-world (title) na `yung susunod na laban,” said the 21-year old Banal, whose rise to fame was momentarily impeded by his stunning 10th round knockout loss to Rafael Concepcion of Panama two years ago.

He improved to 21-1 overall, with 17 KOs.

A looping right to the head by Banal signaled the end for Santos, who crumpled down the canvass following a barrage of punches to the body by the Filipino, 35 seconds into the fourth.

“Akala niya jab `yung bibitawan ko, pero (right) hook pala,” said Banal, sporting a lump just below his left eye which he said was caused by a headbutt.

Melindo had a tougher time disposing his opponent and needed a big first round knockdown to keep the charging Villareal at bay. The newly-crowned champion won by scores of 97-93, 95-94 and 96-93.

The 21-year old Filipino from Cagayan De Oro sent Villareal reeling down with a solid right just as the opening round was coming to its final seconds.

“Malakas ding sumuntok,” said Melindo (20-0, 5 KOs) of the American. “Walang pakialam kung masaktan siya o hindi.”

Villareal, a former U.S. amateur standout, blamed the loss to his lackadaisical showing in the early rounds.

“I should have picked up earlier. I made the mistake of hesitating early on,” he admitted. “But I know I hurt him a lot of times.”

Melindo appeared to have lost steam in the later rounds, just when Villareal finally got his rhythm.

“Rematch? No doubt, we’ll get a rematch,” said the American confidently.

The other ALA Promotions protégée also won their respective bouts against foreign opponents – Larry `Bon Jovi’ Canillas stopping Petch Twins Gym of Thailand in the second round of their super-bantamweight fight and James Bacon knocking out Thai Thittichon Singwancha in four rounds of a super-featherweight bout.

In the featured amateur matches, Adonis Cabalquinto decisioned Jimmy Vallares and Irish Magno beat Karina Jane Recaido.

In attendance during the event were Smart Sports head Patrick Gregorio, ABAP Metro Manila regional head JayJay Vargas, TV-5 executive Bobby Barreiro, ALA Promotions top honcho Tony Aldeguer, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain and ABAP regional president Gov. Oscar Moreno.

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NO WALK IN THE PARK

By Gerry Ramos

FLOYD Mayweather Jr. may be out of the way, but that doesn’t mean Manny Pacquiao’s first defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown against Joshua Clottey of Ghana would be a walk in the park.

Trainer Freddie Roach isn’t overlooking the 32-year old Clottey, whom he describes as a `tough guy and difficult opponent, who’s strong and a true welterweight.’

“It’s a hard fight of course, because he’s a true welterweight and a big strong kid, so Pacquiao is going to have to really fight smart with his speed. It’s an action fight,” said Roach.

The fight with Clottey was formally sealed over the weekend after Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones signed a deal bringing the Pacquiao-Clottey title fight at the 100,000-seating capacity Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas on March 13.

Arum turned to Clottey and his manager Vinny Scolpino for a possible showdown with the Pacman after negotiations for the Filipino’s supposed mega-fight with Mayweather Jr. finally collapsed following the disagreement by both camps on the drug testing procedures to be used on both fighters before and after the bout.

Top Rank also considered former world champion Paulie Malignaggi and reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight title holder Yuri Foreman as possible replacements for Maywetheat, but opted for Clottey in the end.

Roach said Clottey is the better choice among the three prospects.

“Bob (Arum) started asking about Clottey. I said, `give me a day to think about it. Let me think about his style.’

“I thought it was better than a Yuri Foreman fight. We could have went after Foreman for the eight world title, but Foreman’s kind of a lackluster guy who can spoil and make you look bad, so I thought this was a better action fight for the fans so this is the one we chose,” said Roach.

Malignaggi, according to Roach, was considered, but was not really a top candidate.

“Who wants to see that (fight)? I mean, Ricky Hatton crushed him, and Manny crushed Ricky Hatton, so people don’t want to see that fight,” he added.

Against Clottey, Roach said Pacquiao has to stay busy inside the ring as the challenger had proven in the past that he can stand toe-to-toe against the best in the world as shown in his controversial split decision loss against Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto last June for the WBO 147-pound belt.

Cotto has since lost his welterweight crown following a 12-round stoppage at the hands of Pacquiao in November at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“We’re fighting a big, strong guy who a lot of people thought beat Cotto in their last fight. He deserves a shot. So it’s going to be a very good fight,” said the American trainer.

Roach expects Pacquiao to report at his Wild Card gym in Los Angeles, California by next week for the start of another grueling, eight-week training.

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FIREWORKS!

MOVE over Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Freddie Roach believes Manny Pacquiao has just found a perfect opponent in Joshua Clottey, whom the Filipino boxing icon is set to meet on March 13 at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown.

Roach said Clottey, who lost twice in his previous bid for a world title, is one guy who loves to mix it up and engages in toe-to-toe action, the kind of fight the 31-year old Pacquiao has been known for.

“I wanted Manny in an action fight, and that’s what we got with Clottey,” said Roach.

Clottey, 32, and a native of Ghana but now resides in Bronx, New York, came into the picture after Pacquiao turned down former world champion Paulie Malignaggi and current World Boxing Association (WBA) light middleweight titlist Yuri Foreman as replacement for his aborted super-fight with the unbeaten Mayweather.

Disagreement in the blood testing procedure to be conducted for their highly-anticipated bout with Mayweather Jr. led to the downfall of the match many believe would go down as the biggest and richest in the history of prizefighting.

“I wanted an action fight. I don’t want Manny in a boring fight,” said Roach, the main man in Pacquiao’s corner since 2001. “With Paulie (Malignaggi), it would be a blowout. Let’s face it, he’s not in the same class as Manny Pacquiao or Floyd Mayweather Jr. Yuri Foreman is a good fighter. He’s clever, but he’s boring.”

Pacquiao is expected to be in the U.S. before January 18 to attend the formal press conference of his showdown with Clottey, after which, he’ll begin training at Roach’s famed Wild Card gym in Los Angeles.

Clottey blew his two previous shot at a world title, first against Zab Judah for the vacant International Boxing Federation (IBF) welterweight crown in 2008 (technical decision), and last June opposite Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico in a controversial split decision for the WBO 147-pound belt.

Pacquiao has since wrested the WBO version of the championship after a 12-round stoppage of Cotto in Las Vegas last November.

Although his focus is not set at a March meeting with Clottey, Roach believes somewhere down the road, a Pacquiao-Mayweather Jr. fight will be made.

“I do think it will happen eventually,” said the three-time Trainer of the Year. “I don't think that either one of them has many other options out there if they want to keep fighting the big fights.

And if Mayweather keeps gambling and living the lifestyle he does, he's going to need money again.”

Like the rest of the world, Roach was also looking forward of engaging the Mayweather camp in a dream fight with Pacquiao.

Then came the Mayweather camp’s demand for a random, Olympic-style drug testing that eventually, led to the disagreement between both parties and the collapse of the multi-million fight itself.

“I had been studying his (Mayweather) style and coming up with a game plan and we were mentally getting ready for that fight,” he said. “It's disappointing because the whole world wants to see that fight and it would have been good for boxing because boxing needs that.

“But we can't force people to fight each other. He has all the excuses in the world and that's just what it is.”

Richard Schaefer, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Golden Boy Promotions which represented Mayweather during the negotiations for the Pacquiao fight, has voiced his opinion the other day that there’s still a slim hope of making the bout possible.

But Roach doesn’t think so.

“I don’t think there’s any hope. The deadline for HBO is past,” he said. “Manny is going to fight Clottey on March 13 and we’re just going to move on” -Philippine Boxing.

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CHOSEN ONE

JOSHUA CLOTTEY

By Gerry Ramos

AFTER losing to Miguel Cotto last year, Joshua Clottey gets another crack at the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

But waiting for him at the other end of the ring is no less than the pound-for-pound king himself, Manny Pacquiao.

Clottey and his manager Vinny Scolpino agreed in principle to fight the Filipino boxing champion on March 13, where Pacquiao’s WBO 147-pound crown will be at stake.

The 31-year old Pacquiao wrested the title with a 12-round stoppage of Cotto last November, around five months after the Puerto Rican champion scored a controversial split decision against Clottey to retain the championship at the Madison Square Garden.

In an online chat conducted by ESPN veteran boxing writer Dan Rafael, Scolpino disclosed that the Clottey camp had already agreed to take on the fight following a two hour negotiation with Top Rank chairman Bob Arum.

Both Pacquiao and Clottey are handled by Top Rank.

Scolpino said Clottey was ecstatic about the news and will be returning to the U.S. from Ghana next week to hopefully, make official the fight to be held at the Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

The fight with Clottey came about after negotiations for a mega-fight between Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. formally bogged down over issues on drug testing.

This developed as the Mayweather camp, specifically Golden Boy Promotions’ Richard Schaefer remarked that a bout between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world still has a chance to be saved after noting reports that Pacquiao wasn’t aware of the 14-day drug testing window offered by Mayweather Jr. as a compromise during the two-day mediation both parties held in California.

The proposal was a deviation from Mayweather’s hard stance of an Olympic-style random drug testing where both of them will be subjected to undergo test at any given time.

Pacquiao had been asking for a 30-day drug testing procedure prior to the fight.

Arum however, said the Filipino ring icon was well aware of the offer but flatly rejected it.

“That offer was rejected a long time ago. It was off the table. They are just trying to get under Manny’s skin. It serves no purpose than to aggravate Manny Pacquiao,” said Arum.

“If they are negotiating, they are negotiating with themselves. We aren’t talking to them.”

The Top Rank executive also disclosed that Schaefer offered to do a third fight between Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez, but negotiations didn’t reach that far as a 50-50 split between the two was insisted by Marquez, who likewise asked for the same level of drug testing Mayweather has been asking.

“This is beyond stupid,” said Arum. “That was my biggest mistake, allowing any of this to happen. I should have said no. We’re not revisiting (blood testing).

“We’re not negotiating with these punks anymore. If Mayweather wants to fight Pacquiao down the road, he will have to go by the testing the state commission asks for. If not, life goes on.

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NO MORE!

MANNY Pacquiao and his camp yesterday finally have had enough of Floyd Mayweather, Jr.’s outrageous demands and behavior, calling off their March 13 mega-fight after the American rejected a counter-proposal during a 9-hour meditation meeting at Santa Monica, California on Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila).

Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter and Top Rank, Inc. chief, refused to divulge the inner details of what exactly transpired during the deliberation under the supervision of Judge Daniel Weinstein (Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services), but nevertheless confirmed that the fight millions had been waiting to happen is definitely off.

Arum blamed Mayweather, Jr. for the collapse, saying that the former pound-for-pound king was ‘scared to death’ to face the Filipino ring idol and was merely finding ways to elude boxing’s current sensation.

“This established what I have always believed and that is that Mayweather never wanted to fight Manny because he was scared to death,” said Arum. Pacquiao’s trainer, Freddie Roach, and conditioning man Alex Ariza also came out with words that Pacquiao would give Mayweather, Jr. a ‘bad beating.’

Arum added: “Richard Schaefer and Al Haymon (Golden Boy Promotions) tried to get the Pretty Boy to make the deal, but he didn't want to and I'm not surprised. Floyd Mayweather never wanted to fight Manny Pacquiao.”

Mayweather, Jr. had demanded that he and Pacquiao go through Olympic-style, random blood tests to be conducted by US Anti-Doping Agency and not by the Nevada State Commission. His father actually started this all, refusing to believe that one man can move up from flyweight to welterweight with so much speed and power and thereby accusing the Filipino of using performance-enhancing drugs.

The Mayweathers wanted random blood tests anytime before and immediately after the fight. Pacquiao, however, flatly rejected it and his camp came out with a counter-proposal during the deliberation that blood tests will be done no closer to 24 days before fight night, an already big and bold move by Pacquiao since he at first demanded that the tests be done not later than 30 days.

At the same time, Pacquiao also demanded that the Mayweathers apologize for their accusations.

Both of these fell on deaf ears.

Michael Konz, Pacquiao’s adviser, meantime said that the Filipino was saddened by the sudden turn of events, unable to give fighting fans what they had hoped for. Konz also said that the Mayweathers merely used the blood tests as an excuse.

“How does Mayweather go around claiming he is the best pound-for-pound fighter and the best fighter if he is not willing to engage the people’s choice as the best fighter?” said Konz in an interview with Philboxing.com.

Koncz likewise said that Pacquiao will move ahead with his defamation of character lawsuit against the Mayweathers seeking damages in excess of $75,000.

And now that the Mayweather thing is over, Konz said that Pacquiao has no other option but to move on.

And move on Pacquiao will.

Shortly after breaking the news that the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight is off, Arum said that they are already looking at a March 20 fight between Pacquiao and Yuri Foreman, the reigning WBA junior middleweight champion.

Although this bout would pale in comparison to what Pacquiao is expected to earn from the Mayweather fight, winning against Foreman will be more meaningful. A victory over Foreman will give the Filipino an 8th world title in as many divisions, stretching further his record which may never be broken at all.

No site and details of the purse were announced by Top Rank for the Foreman fight.

Mayweather, on the other hand, will most likely end up fighting former super lightweight champion Paulie Malignaggi also in March.

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VILORIA, NIETES STAKE TITLES

A double championship featuring Filipino world titlists Brian Viloria and Donnie `Ahas’ Nietes serves as the initial presentation of the Boxing at the Bay for the year 2010.

Viloria stakes his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown against Carlos Tamara of Colombia, while Nietes put his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight belt on the line against Mexican Sammy `Guty’ Gutierrez in a pair of 12-round bouts on January 23 at the Astrodome.

Solar Sports presents the regular boxing series that kicked off last October featuring rising ring prospect Drian Francisco scoring a 10th round stoppage of former two-time world champion Roberto Vazquez of Panama for the World Boxing Association (WBA) super-flyweight international title.

The Boxing at the Bay is the biggest boxing program in South East Asia today in the tradition of such luminary shows like Top Rank Promotions’ Latin Fury and Pinoy Power.

But the fights don’t only cater within the Southeast Asian region as it is also being fed live via satellite to much of Asia, North and South America and a few countries in Europe.

Viloria has long been a byword in world boxing ever since competing in the 2000 Sydney Olympics, and later, knocking out Eric Ortiz in a single round to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) light-flyweight crown.

Only last year, he added to his legend a sensational 11th round knockout win of durable Mexican Ulises Solis to wrest the IBF 108-pound title before an ecstatic weekend crowd at the Aranate Coliseum.

Four months after, the 29-year old Fil-Am boxer made a successful defense of the IBF title with a 12-round unanimous decision over Jesus Iribe of Mexico in his first homecoming bout in Hawaii after five years.

On the other hand, Nietes is defending his WBO 105-pound belt for the fourth time since capturing the title three years ago with a unanimous 12-round decision over Thai Pornsawan Porpramook in Cebu City.

Just a year ago, the 27-year old pride of the famed ALA boxing gym traveled all the way to Mexico to stake his crown not once, but twice, successfully accomplishing the feat in opposite fashion.

First, he decisioned Eric Ramirez in their 12-round fight held in February that saw the Mexican knocked down a total four times. Seven months later, Nietes carved out a split decision against Manuel Vargas.

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THEIR LIPS ARE SEALED

By Gerry Ramos

REPRESENTATIVES of both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. refused to talk about what transpired during the mediation held by the two parties before retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein following nine hours of talk and discussion at his Sta. Monica office in Los Angeles.

Weinstein has placed a gag order on both groups, leaving no further developments on the fate of the richest fight in boxing history set March 13 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Representing Pacquiao during the meeting that began 9:30 a.m. Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila) and ended at 6:30 p.m. were Top Rank officials Bob Arum and Todd duBoef along with their legal team, while speaking in behalf of Mayweather Jr. were Golden Boy executives Richard Schaefer, Oscar De La Hoya, their legal team and his manager Al Haymon.

It is not clear whether another round of talks will be held Wednesday, although ESPN reported that no deal has been reached by both camps.

“Mediation is still ongoing,” one of Top Rank’s lawyers told ESPN.

The drug testing method to be used on the two boxing stars remains the biggest issue to be resolved on the table.

Mayweather Jr. has insisted that Pacquiao undergoes random, Olympic-style drug testing to be supervised by the U.S. Anti-Doping Association, owing to his belief that the Filipino southpaw has been taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Pacquiao refused the random procedure testing the Mayweather group had been suggesting, but consents to undergoing a scheduled blood testing method on the week of the kickoff news conference, another one to be conducted not later than 30 days before the fight, and another in his locker room shortly after the bout.

The issue on drug test also prompted Pacquiao to file defamation charges against the Mayweathers – Floyd Jr. and Sr., and his uncle-trainer Roger – as well as Schaefer and De La Hoya for suggesting that he was taking steroids in several of his previous fights.

Weinstein is hoping to resolve all these issues in the same manner he did when the retired federal judge mediated over an ugly contract dispute between Top Rank and Golden Boy surrounding the promotional rights on Pacquiao in 2007. At that time, the Filipino boxing champion signed a contract each with two of boxing’s top promoters.

The matter was resolved when Top Rank was awarded the promotional rights on Pacquiao, although Golden Boy is entitled to receive a percentage on Top Rank’s profit in future Pacquiao bouts.

Arum also wants to discuss the matter before Weinstein since De La Hoya himself accused Pacquiao of using performance-enhancing drugs, a charge, which, the Top Rank chairman said cast doubt on the credibility and marketability of the Filipino. The serious allegations, according to Arum, should no longer entitled Golden Boy for a percentage share all Pacquiao bouts would generate in the future.

Besides, the 78-year- old veteran boxing promoter stressed that Golden Boy itself is making money off Mayweather since the outfit has been representing the unbeaten former Olympian in negotiations for a fight with Pacquiao.

Both sides however, remain confident the stalemate would be over with Weinstein at the helm of the mediation.

“(Weinstein) played a very instrumental role,” said Schaefer of the mediator’s successful attempt to arbitrate in the controversy involving Golden and Top Rank two years ago. “If not for him, I don't think we could have done this. He really took ownership of the case and understood how delicate it was.”

Said Arum, “Anybody who tells somebody not to use a mediator in this kind of situation is out of their mind. This guy was tremendous in getting both of us to realize how destructive our conduct was and how productive it would be to work together. You need a guy like that to mediate the dispute and see the broader picture.”

If no agreement is reached, Arum has been vocal about his plan to pit the 31-year old Pacquiao against reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) super-welterweight champion Yuri Foreman for a shot at a record eight world crown in eight different weight classes. The fight has a March 20 schedule at the Thomas & Mark Center in Las Vegas.

The Mayweather camp has yet to announce what’s next for the comebacking American, although among its option is a possible match up with former junior welterweight champion Paul Malignaggi also on March 13.

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BUSY 2010 FOR AMATEUR BOXERS

THE Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) has drawn up a program that will keep its athletes busy for the rest of the new year.

Fresh from their successful showing in the Laos Southeast Asian Games last month, the Filipino boxers, all 40 of them who are in the national pool, can look forward to tournaments starting off with the National Championships scheduled Jan. 25 to 30 in Puerto Princesa, Palawan.

Ed Picson, executive director of ABAP, told yesterday's PSA Forum at the PSC main dining hall that Puerto Princesa City Mayor Edward Hagedorn has already signed the memorandum of agreement with ABAP regarding the hosting of the tournament.

The boxing association, proud of its five gold, three silver and one bronze in Laos despite sending only 10 boxers, is also holding an international tournament that will coincide with ABAP chairman and PLDT/Smart big boss Manny V. Pangilinan’s birthday on July 14.

"It will not be in the level of the King's Cup in Thailand that attracts around 30 countries. We will start small. We're looking at six countries. We will call it the MVP Cup, and it's already in the drawing board," said Picson on behalf of Pangilinan and ABAP president Ricky Vargas.

"Then there's the National Championship. We just got word that Mayor Hagedorn has signed the MOA," he added in the same session presented by Outlast Battery, PAGCOR, Shakey’s and Accel.

As far as foreign competitions are concerned, Picson said up next is the one in Azerbaijan in April. It will serve as a qualifying tournament for the Youth Olympics in Singapore on Aug. 14 to 21. There are other foreign trips being considered, all leading to the Asian Games.

The quadrennial event, which is the closest to the Olympics as far as Philippine participation is concerned, will take place in Guangzhou, China in November, and ABAP will be hard-pressed to match or surpass the two golds Violito Payla and Joan Tipon won in Doha, Qatar in 2006.

"Five or six international tournaments before the Asian Games will be good for us. The level of competition in the Asian Games is much higher so we will make sure that our boxers are properly trained, taken cared of and well-equipped," Picson said.

However, he said they will make sure that the women boxers will be given exposures as great as their counterparts. The female boxers, led by Annie Albania, accounted for three of the five gold medals in Laos where the Philippines jumped from sixth to fifth overall after 2007.

"I have full confidence that we will be competitive although I cannot promise anything. We're there and it's just a matter of being more focused in our programs. With proper support from government and private sector I don't see why we can't succeed," the ABAP executive said.

Picson added that for this year the association is going all-Filipino with its coaches.

"To us, the number one factor in coaching is still communication. Even if you have all the knowledge if you cannot communicate well with your boxers it means nothing," said Picson, adding that they have decided to do away with the Cuban coaches, at least temporarily.

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HELP NEEDED

By Gerry Ramos

SO this is all where it’s headed.

Camps of both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. will sit down Tuesday and try to settle their differences before the office of retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein in an attempt to salvage whatever is left on the scheduled March 13 super fight between boxing top two superstars today.

In a report by USA Today, it mentioned Weinstein serving as mediator during the meeting to be held at his Santa Monica office of Judicial Arbitration and Mediation Services (JAMS).

Bob Arum, chairman of Top Rank Promotions, Todd DuBoef, Top Rank president, are representing Pacquiao during the meeting, while expected to attend the mediation in behalf of Mayweather Jr. are Golden Boy Promotions’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Richard Schaefer and perhaps, Bruce Binkow, chief marketing officer of Golden Boy Promotions.

Weinstein’s help to intercede in making possible the fight many believe could be the richest in boxing history was sought following his success in mediating both Top Rank and Golden Boy Promotions which got involved in an ugly dispute in 2007 when Pacquiao was caught to have signed with both groups.

Also expected to be present are a representative of the Los Angeles-based law firm O’Melveny and Myers, whose lawyer, Daniel Petrocelli, filed a lawsuit in behalf of Pacquiao seeking compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character against Schaefer, the Mayweathers, Floyd Jr’s uncle, Roger Mayweather, and Golden Boy Promotions’ president Oscar De La Hoya.

All defendants were charged after making suggestions that Pacquiao has been taking performance-enhancing drugs.

Suspicions that Pacquiao had been on drugs in all his previous fights made the Mayweather camp suggests that both fighters go under random, Olympic-style drug testing to be conducted by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

The Filipino boxing champion has been opposed to the idea, but is willing to undergo drug and urine testing under a known period of time.

Arum has made known their stance that talks about the match will only resume should the Mayweathers do away with their demand to have random, Olympic-style drug testing, and at the same time, made a public apology for implying that Pacquiao is taking on performance-enhancing drugs.

“Absolutely, from every single one of them. Everybody,” said the 78-year old Arum.

“If they want random blood-testing, they would have to go before the Nevada Commission and petition the commission for that,” he added. “They have to agree that the Nevada Commission is regulating this fight – period. No outside agency, no nothing. They have to go with the Nevada Commission – period.”

Both Pacquiao and Mayweather Jr. have not tested positive for illegal drugs during the several times they fought in Las, Vegas Nevada.

But Leonard Ellerbe, the CEO of Mayweather Promotions, said there’s only one way for the historic fight to push through.

“At the end of the day, Manny Pacquiao will put his country on his back and eventually, step up to the plate and agree to the random blood and urine testing. Because there is nothing out there that could do that could remotely come close to being involved in the biggest fight in the history of the sport,” Ellerbe said.

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