Philippine Boxing | Filipino Boxing

Know your game

2011-12-12T07:10:00.000-08:00

Most of us know what kind of sport boxing is; it is a competition between two strong fighters going up against each other in hand to hand combat. Well that is true for most of us but for some it is just more than that, it is also a rivalry not just of brawn but also of the mind. For this will test not just the athlete’s strength and power but his ability to concentrate and focus on the match at hand. If you like taking chances, try boxing betting here.

Having this idea (establishing this new concept of boxing) it is best that we understand the rules and regulations of the sport and how judges score each contender. This will give us a better understanding on what is happening inside the ring. And for us to be appreciate more the fight we are all watching.

Let us start with the rules shall we. They vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, whether it is with IBF or WBO and it also varies if the boxer is an amateur or a professional but just in case here is a list of the regular or common rules for boxing.

• You cannot hit below the belt, hold, trip, kick, headbutt, wrestle, bite, spit on, or push your opponent.

• You cannot hit with your head, shoulder, forearm, or elbow.

• You cannot hit with an open glove, the inside of the glove, the wrist, the backhand, or the side of the hand.

• You cannot punch your opponent's back, or the back of his head or neck (rabbit punch), or on the kidneys (kidney punch).

• You cannot throw a punch while holding on to the ropes to gain leverage.

• You cannot hold your opponent and hit him at the same time, or duck so low that your head is below your opponent's belt line.

• When the referee breaks you from a clinch, you have to take a full step back; you cannot immediately hit your opponent--that's called "hitting on the break" and is illegal.

• You cannot spit out your mouthpiece on purpose to get a rest.

• If you score a knockdown of your opponent, you must go to the farthest neutral corner while the referee makes the count.

• If you "floor" your opponent, you cannot hit him when he's on the canvas.

• A floored boxer has up to ten seconds to get back up on his feet before losing the bout by knockout.

• A boxer who is knocked down cannot be saved by the bell in any round, depending upon the local jurisdiction's rules.

• A boxer who is hit with an accidental low blow has up to five minutes to recover. If he cannot continue after five minutes, he is considered knocked out.

• If the foul results in an injury that causes the fight to end immediately, the boxer who committed the foul is disqualified.

• If the foul causes an injury but the bout continues, the referee orders the judges to deduct two points from the boxer who caused the injury.

• If an unintentional foul causes the bout to be stopped immediately, the bout is ruled a "no contest" if four rounds have not been fully completed. (If the bout was scheduled for four rounds, then three rounds must have been completed.) If four rounds have been completed, the judges' scorecards are tallied and the fighter who is ahead on points is awarded a technical decision. If the scores are even, it will be called a "technical draw."

• If a boxer is knocked out of the ring, he gets a count of 20 to get back in and on his feet. He cannot be assisted.

• In some jurisdictions the standing eight-count or the three knockdown rule also may be in effect.

• In other jurisdictions, only the referee can stop the bout.

Having addressed the rules, let us proceed to scoring. Each match will have a panel of three judges. This is probably to eliminate bias and having to end a fight with a draw.

In a match each boxer will be scored independently by a judge and at the end of a fight the judge’s score cards will be collected by the referee and passed on to the ring-side commissioner who will then tally the scores.

In each round the judges will pick one boxer who bested the other and award that one with 10 points and the other with 9. In the advent that one boxer is knocked down and is given a count that boxer will be awarded 8 points and the other, 10. If in a round the judges think that neither one bested the other each boxer will be awarded 10 points for that round. And if in case a boxer violates a rule, the referee will instruct each judge to deduct points from that boxer.

At the end of the fight the score cards will be tallied and will be decided as such:
• If all judges score for boxer 1 then it is a win by unanimous decision (UD) for boxer 1.
• If two judges score for boxer 1 and one judge scores a draw then it is a majority decision (MD) win for boxer 1.
• If two judges score for boxer 1 and one judge scores for boxer 2 then it is a split decision (SD) win for boxer 1.
• If all judges score a draw then it is a draw by unanimous decision (D-UD).
• If two judges score a draw and one judge scores for either boxer then it is a majority draw (D-MD).

Having understood these rules and regulations as well as scoring, I think we can understand the fights and appreciate what is happening inside the ring much better now, don’t you think?

Did the “Pac-man” extinguish the “Dinamita”?

2011-11-14T05:43:00.000-08:00

Pacquiao stood at 5’6.5" with a reach of 67 inches, and weighed in between the welterweight mandated 140 - 145 pounds for the fight. Marquez was nearly equal, standing in at 5’7” with a reach of 67 inches as well, and he weighed in well within the mandated weight.

At the start of the fight, you could already feel the tension between the two world class boxers but something seemed off with Manny. He somehow was not in perfect fighting form and condition. He was being too safe, not the Pac-man we all knew.

We can see this after the first two rounds, clearly both fighters were trying to assess one another. Each was gauging what they were facing and what tactic each brought in to the ring.

In round 3, Marquez stepped up his game and threw rather accurate and direct combinations at Pacquiao which most of them connecting. By the end of round 3 Marquez seemed to have a certain feel of confidence in the ring.
By round 4, Pacquiao stepped up by throwing more punches but his attempts seemed to be less compared to that of Marquez because Marquez was still dominating him. This continued until round 9. Marquez gave him a variety of combinations which were very different from their last 2 fights; consequently Pacquiao was performing differently as well. He was not as aggressive, he seemed to lack his enthusiasm, his “drive in the fight”, if you will.

From round 4 through 9 Pacquiao seemed like he was just like waiting for Marquez’s attacks and was missing some if not half of his punches. He picked his game at round 10 after Marquez accidentally slipped. That seemed to wake up Pacquiao. He then started to play aggressively which he tried to maintain until the 12th round.

Concluding the 12 round bout between the two great athletes, Manny “Pac-man” Pacquiao was declared the winner by majority decision.

For me, I think Marquez deserved to win this fight. He gave his all and I think all those who watched the fight can attest to that. But then again I am not a part of the judge’s committee; I am merely stating my opinion on the matter.

If you ask around, you will get a split decision. Half would say it was really form Pacquiao since he was the aggressive one and was controlling the fight and the other half says that it was Marquez since you can see that he was the one throwing accurate and decisive punches. I personally am for Marquez, he was playing a tactical game, using Pacquiao’s aggressive behavior to his advantage and connecting punches which for me are an important aspect of the sport.

After all said and done, we all have to agree that these two great athletes are worthy to be remembered and to hit the record books of boxing. They have indeed changed how we shall perceive the sport. This fight is to be a topic for quite a long time. I salute these two incredible boxers for a fight well done!

PACMAN SETTLES FOR P81 M

2010-08-30T05:52:00.000-07:00

By Gerry Ramos

THE fight many foresee as the biggest and richest in boxing history will have to wait first.

For now, Manny Pacquiao will have to settle for less.

With Antonio Margarito stepping forward instead of loud mouth Floyd Mayweather Jr., no dream purse is expected to come Pacquiao’s way by the end of the year.

In its place, only a `moderate’ prize money of $15 million awaits the Filipino congressman for his Nov. 13 fight with the 32-year old Margarito, a far cry from the projected $40 million or more Pacquiao is expected to earn had Mayweather been the one he’s facing in the ring.

Still, his total earnings could go as high as $17 to $18 million (approximately P81 million on a P45-$1 exchange rate) once pay-per-view sales, ticket sales, gate receipts, merchandise and television rights are counted in.

That the bout for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight crown will be held at the 80,000-seater Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas makes it more feasible to gross in terms of ticket sales.

Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum already projected a crowd of about 75,000 for the fight based on Pacquiao’s popularity and Margarito’s Hispanic roots, with Texas having a huge Hispanic population.

Arum even believes it will surpass the record crowd of 51,000 which watched Pacquiao demolish Joshua Clottey inside 12 full rounds last March for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title.

“I think the crowd will be much bigger,” he said.

“We have a lot of stuff that we didn’t have for the Clottey fight. With Margarito being Hispanic, and this is North Texas, which has a huge Hispanic population, that will make this even bigger.”

For the record, Pacquiao’s biggest fight in terms of prize money remains his 2008 slugfest with the great Oscar De La Hoya where he earned $15 million, minus his share in the pay-per-view, tickets, merchandise and TV rights.

Last year, he received $13 million each for taking on Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

In facing Clottey, Pacquiao brought home close to $15 million, including the fight purse of $12 million. The bout generated 700,000 pay-per-view buys or about $35.3 million in U.S domestic television revenue.

Arum said a Margarito bout is likely to produce the same number of buys – or even better.

“I think we could look to do 70,000 people” said Arum, who is expected to be back in the U.S. by weekend from his vacation in France.

“(Joshua) Clottey had no fan base. Margarito has a huge fan base of Mexican-Americans.”

The veteran promoter is wasting no time to hype and promote the title match that finally fell into place Thursday when the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation granted Margarito a boxing license.

Arum has already scheduled a whirlwind press tour next week to kick off the promotional hype of the fight.

With both Pacquiao and Margarito expected to sign the contract this weekend, the Top Rank big boss set a Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) press conference for the two at the Beverly Hills Hotel in Los Angeles to kick off the week-long, three-state tour.

The following day, Pacquiao and Margarito are off to New York in Chelsea Piers-Pier 60, just within 23rd St. and the Hudson River.

By Friday, the tour culminates with the personal appearance of both fighters at the Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

FIGHT IS ON

2010-08-30T05:42:00.000-07:00

Margarito

By Gerry Ramos

TWO-time world champion Antonio Margarito is about to take on the richest fight of his colorful yet controversial boxing career. And to think it was only a year ago when he was banned from fighting and branded as one of the most disgraced figure in the rich history of the sport.

Margarito’s title bout with ring sensation Manny Pacquiao was formalized Thursday when the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation granted the Mexican the license to fight in the state, paving the way for the Nov. 13 duel to go on as scheduled at the multi-billion Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.

The fight will be the first in the U.S. for the `Tijuana Tornado’ in more than a year since losing a ninth round technical knockout against Sugar Shane Mosley at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in January of 2009.

The 32-year old Margarito was caught with a loaded hand wraps prior to the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight bout, a major offense that resulted in the revocation of his license and being banned from fighting for a year.

It also led to the parting of ways between him and long-time trainer Javier Capetillo, the veteran corner man and father figure to Margarito, whom he accused of being responsible for the loaded hand wraps he had for the Mosley fight.

But now, he’s back and all set to face the fighter universally regarded as the best in the world, pound-for-pound. Pacquiao is expected to earn $15 million and more from the fight, while Margarito could take home as much as $4 to $5 million.

“I have dedicated my life to giving the fans of the sport entertainment and excitement. On Nov. 13, this great opportunity will ultimately be fulfilled when I battle Manny Pacquiao,” said Margarito in a statement.

The Mexican also expressed his gratitude to the state of Texas for granting him a boxing license, something denied of him by the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) and the Nevada State Athletic Commission when he tried to re-apply shortly after his one-year suspension was over.

“I want to thank the state of Texas for granting me a boxing license which enables me to continue my passion for the sport of boxing in the United States,” added Margarito, whose first comeback fight following the lifting of his suspension was a 10-round unanimous decision against Roberto Garcia in Mexico.

Unlike in the CSAC case when it held a hearing to determine the fate of Margarito, the Texas commission just went through the Mexican’s completed application, checked his proper medical paperwork and made him pay the $20 fee before being granted a license.

“After a thorough review of his application it was determined Mr. Margarito met the requirements of the Texas Combative Sports Act and Rules,” said William Kuntz, the executive director of the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

None was happy for Margarito than Top Rank chairman Bob Arum, who holds the promotional rights on both the Mexican and Pacquiao.

“For me, it was like a terrible nightmare, this whole thing, and now the sun is shining,” said Arum in an interview by ESPN from France where he is currently vacationing.

“I really believe that it will be a very competitive fight. One guy is much bigger and stronger (Margarito) and the other guy (Pacquiao) is quicker and hits with both hands. It will be a fascinating fight to watch.”

Arum already has contingency plans if and when Margarito fails to get a license in Texas, mentioning Mexico or Abu Dhabi as possible alternative site for the fight.

But with Texas acceding, Arum is taking the fight at the Cowboys Stadium, with hopes of surpassing the record crowd of 50,994 – one of the largest in U.S. boxing history – that watched Pacquiao’s lopsided win over Joshua Clottey last March for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight crown.

“I think the crowd will be much bigger and Jerry (Jones) – owner of the Dallas Cowboys team - thinks it will also,” Arum said. “The last fight (Pacquiao-Clottey) was not during football season. This one is, and we have all the Dallas Cowboys assets they use during the season to help this time.

“We have a lot of stuff that we didn't have for the Clottey fight. With Margarito being Hispanic, and this is North Texas, which has a huge Hispanic population, that will make this even bigger.”

The veteran promoter said Margarito is set to sight the contract by weekend, after which Pacquiao follows suit as he is scheduled to arrive in the U.S. on Monday from Manila, where he currently sits as a member of the House of Representative.

A whirlwind press tour will then be held, taking both Pacquiao and Margarito to California, New York and finally, Texas.

RP TEAM CALLS ON PSC CHIEF

2010-08-30T05:34:00.000-07:00

MEMBERS of the PLDT/ABAP-Philippine boxing team, led by ABAP executive director Ed Picson, 9th from right, and currently training in the U.S. pay a courtesy call to Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richie Garcia, center, a the PSC office at the Rizal Memorial Sport Complex on Vito Cruz, Manila.

ABAP CHIEF WELCOMES RP TEAM

2010-08-30T05:33:00.000-07:00

AMATEUR Boxing Association of the Philippines president and Maynilad chief executive Ricky Vargas, center in white, clenches his fist along with ABAP secretary-general Patrick Gregorio, executive director Ed Picson, left, and coaches and members of the national boxing team who paid a courtesy call at his Maynilad office in Quezon City prior to their departure to the U.S. for a month-long training camp.

RP PUGS IN U.S. TRAINING

2010-08-21T04:53:00.000-07:00

THE US training camp for members of the national pool of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) reeled off Saturday at
the University of San Francisco Koret Health & Recreation Center.

The USF Boxing team, through head coach Angelo Merino (originally from Cebu) has arranged sparring sessions, clinics and a try-out for
Fil-AMs in the four days that they will host the nationals.

Candy Lopez, a former US Olympic coach and Dr. Ronald Mitchell, a chiropractor who specializes in sports medicine will conduct seminars
for the team.

Thereafter, the 7 male and 4 female boxers will attend more clinics and sparring at the Undisputed Gym in nearby San Carlos City courtesy of
world super flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. Donaire has offered the use of the gym and the services of his training team for free as
his contribution to the ABAP campaign for the Asian Games. He is also arranging health supplements for the boxers which they can use until
the Asiad.

A program is also being drawn up by Mike Martino, executive director of USA Boxing (ABAP's US counterpart) for sparring with US boxers and
more clinics with American coaches and training experts. Mr. Martino, aside from being USA Boxing executive director, also heads the boxing
program of the University of Nevada in Reno.

ABAP is still confirming the schedule of Rodrigo Mosquera, the noted amateur boxing coach of the Eddie Heredia Gym in LA where Oscar de la
Hoya trained as an amateur.

The women boxers will head straight for Bridgetown, Barbados after the US stint for the Women's World championships slated Sept 6 to 19.

Joining the US trip bankrolled by PLDT are ABAP executive director Ed Picson, Head coach Pat Gaspi, Elite and Women's coach Roel Velasco,
Senior coaches Nolito Velasco and Ronald Chavez and boxers Charly Suarez, Annie Albania, Joegin Ladon, Delfin Boholst, Victorio Saludar,
Gerson Nietes, Rey Saludar, Recky Dulay, Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri and Nesthy petecio. Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) Women's
Commission member Karina Picson will accompany the women boxers.

The delegation left via Philippine Airlines on August 19. ABAP president Ricky Vargas and Secretary-General Patrick Gregorio are
scheduled to follow later.

THAI UP NEXT FOR NIETES

2010-08-21T04:48:00.000-07:00

By Gerry Ramos

IF plans push through, fight fans may finally see reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight champion Donnie `Ahas’ Nietes climbing the ring carrying with him his famed pet python.

ALA Boxing promotions bared its intention to hold Nietes’ next title defense of his 105-title belt here, preferably in his native province of Negros Occidental where the 28-year old former janitor turned world champion hasn’t fought yet in his entire pro career.

Nietes is a resident of Bacolod, Negros Occidental, but was born in the town of Murcia of the same province.

“That’s the plan right now, to hold his next fight here especially in Bacolod,” said Michael Aldeguer, the amiable president of ALA Promotions, which holds the right on the WBO champion.

“Yes, if it happens maybe he can finally bring with him his pet python,” added Aldeguer laughing.

The practice of carrying of wild animals is banned especially in trips outside of the country, prohibiting Nietes from bringing with him his favorite pet that has become synonymous to his name.

Fresh from hacking out a unanimous decision over Mario Rodriguez in Sinaloa, Mexico, Nietes’ next title defense will be a mandatory one.

WBO has already ordered the Filipino to stake his crown against no. 1 contender Carlos Buitrago of Nicaragua. But only 18, with a 16-0 (11 Kos) record across his name, the camp of Buitrago admitted they’re not yet ready to face a fighter of Nietes’ caliber.

“So, we’re now forced to take on the no. 2 rated contender, Pigmy Muangchaiyaphum of Thailand,” Aldeguer pointed out during the welcome press conference hosted by GMA Network Tuesday for Nietes.

The ALA Promotions president said they will definitely be bidding for the 12-round title fight to be held here by December, hoping a possible partnership with GMA Network would help them seal the country’s hosting instead of fighting in the hostile territory of Thailand.

“We’re trying to talk with GMA right now and hope something positive would come out of it,” said Aldeguer, who was also joined during the lunch by GMA Network chairman, president and CEO Atty. Felipe Gozon,

Ala Promotions vice president Dennis Caniete and trainer Edito Villamor.

Nietes’ victory over Rodriguez was his fourth defense of the WBO title belt he won over Pornsawan Porpramook of Thailand in 2007, three of them were held in Mexico.

Holder of a 27-1 (15 Kos) ring record, Nietes has been a champion for three years now, making him the third longest reigning Filipino boxer to ever hold a world title after Luisito Espinosa and the great late Gabriel `Flash’ Elorde, who served as world lightweight titlist for seven straight years from 1960 to 1967.

“Si Flash Elorde po ang idol ko at gusto kong pantayan ang kanyang record,” said Nietes.

`AHAS' STRIKES

2010-08-21T04:40:00.000-07:00

DONNIE `Ahas’ Nietes is fast making a name for himself as the next `Mexican Assassin’.

Fearless and confident, the Filipino again disposed a Mexican opponent who tried to get in his way, dominating and bloodying Mario Rodriguez over 12 rounds to retain his World Boxing Organization (WBO) minimumweight title Saturday (Sunday Manila time) in Sinaloa, Mexico.

The 28-year old champion was a unanimous decision winner over Rodriguez, his third Mexican victim in the five times he defended his 105-pound title belt – all of them he did right in the enemy’s territory.

The feat put him in line with boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao as the only remaining legitimate world champion today.

Pacquiao, the original `Mexican Assassin’ for having beaten some of Mexico’s legendary boxers in the likes of Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales, is currently the WBO welterweight champion.

Nietes won on all three judges’ cards (Levi Martinez, Alejandro Lopez Cid and Thomas Nardone) on scores of 119-110, 118-110 and 116-112.

This is the third time in a year Nietes came over in Mexico to defend his belt. The first two also went through the scorecards, with the Filipino hacking out a unanimous decision over Erik Ramirez in February 2009 and then settling for a split decision against Manuel Vargas seven months later.

Shortly after his win over Rodriguez, Nietes expressed his desire to have his next title defense be held in his hometown in Bacolod

A native of Murcia, Negros Occidental, Nietes last fought in his province in 2007, knocking out Thai Thongthailek Sor Tanapinyo in the second round of their 12-round showdown at the New Victorias City Coliseum.

The Filipinos raised his record to 27-1, with 15 KOs and hasn’t lost since his first career setback – a 10-round split decision - against Angky Angkota of Indonesia in 2004.

Rodriguez, 21, fell to 10-6 record overall, including 7 KOs.

The Mexican was simply no match to the ring craftsmanship of the former gym janitor turned world champion.

MANNY WILL KO MARGARITO -- ROACH

2010-08-09T03:50:00.000-07:00

By Gerry Ramos

THE guy whom Freddie Roach once considered as too big for Manny Pacquiao before will undoubtedly, be no match for the power of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighter this time.

A day after To Rank Promotions announced Antonio Margarito is going to be Pacquiao’s opponent in his November 13 fight, Roach was quick in expressing the fighting Congressman from the Philippines will definitely send the `Tijuana’ Tornado to dreamland.

“I have no problem with the fight. Margarito is a tough guy, but his ring generalship is poor. Manny will knock him out. We will knock him out,” said Roach when reached for comment about the match Bob Arum is arranging for the World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight title.

Margarito came into the picture after Arum failed to get a reply from Floyd Mayweather Jr. on his willingness to sign a contract and face Pacquiao in a bout the whole of boxing world want to see.

Although Margarito has yet to secure a license to fight in the U.S. following the one-year suspension slapped on him by the California State Athletic Commission in the aftermath of the illegal hand-wrap controversy he got involved with, the Top Rank chairman believes the Mexican’s fighting style makes for an explosive title bout against a fighter as exciting as the Pacman.

Margarito, 32, was personally handpicked by Arum over Miguel Cotto, the legendary Puerto Rican and reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) 154-pound title holder whom Pacquiao demolished in 12 rounds during their World Boxing Organzation (WBO) welterweight championship showdown last year in Las Vegas.

Roach also sees a competitive fight with Margarito, who was turned down by the 51-year old trainer two years ago as a possible Pacquiao opponent as he believes the Mexican was too big for the Filipino ring icon.

“It’s like the good guy versus the bad guy. It’s probably a marketable fight, with Manny beating up another Mexican,” said Roach, obviously referring to Pacquiao’s long record of defeating Mexican fighters, from Erik Morales, Marco Antonio, Barrera to Juan Manuel Marquez.

Ironically, Margarito also fought Cotto and brutally beat him inside 11 rounds for the WBA welterweight title. The loss was the first in Cotto’s colorful career.

Unfortunately, the impressive win had been tarnished when Margarito was caught loading his knuckle pad with a hardened substance in his next fight opposite Sugar Shane Mosley.

After re-wrapping his hands, Margarito yielded his WBA title to Mosley, who administered him a 9th round technical knockout loss.

In the aftermath of the controversy, Margarito found his license revoked and was suspended from fighting for a year.

Even Roach himself is puzzled whether Margarito is loaded or not during the Cotto fight.

“Well, the issue is when he fought Cotto, was he loaded or not? We can assume that he was, but it can’t be proved.

“Margarito has a good chin, but a good punch? We don’t know. Let him wrap his own hands and he’s got a good punch,” said Roach smiling.

Although the venue of the fight is still undecided, depending on whether Margarito would be able to secure a license in the U.S. in time for the bout, Roach said he’s ready to be on board once training camp begins in September, the first half of which would be held in the Philippines.

“Julio Cesas Chavez Jr. fights in Mexico on Sept. 11. And on the 12th, I am going to the Philippines for a month. The first month of Manny’s camp will be there, and the second half it will be at the Wild Card gym (in Los Angeles),” said the four-time Trainer of the Year awardee.

`HURRICANE' TO FIGHT IN RP?

2010-08-09T03:43:00.000-07:00

ANA JULATON

By Gerry Ramos

THE skies the limit as far as Filipina boxing star Ana Julaton is concerned.

Since bagging the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight title two weeks ago, prospects are aplenty for the stunning lass known as `The Hurricane’, with no less than 3 major fights being eyed by her team, including a possible championship clash with Argentine premier boxer Marcela Acuna.

Julaton made known her plans upon arriving in the country for the first time Monday on the invitation of giant network GMA, which aired several of her fights in the past, the latest of which came last June 30 when she scored a split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico to win the WBO 120-pound crown.

Named Luciana Bonifacio Julaton, the former taekwondo jin turned boxer admitted being thrilled by her first visit in the Philippines, where she hopes to stage a fight by the end of the year or maybe, by 2011.

“I’m definitely looking forward to fighting here. I would love to have that,” said Julaton when she met the local press during a luncheon hosted by GMA in her behalf led by chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon.

Her U.S. based manager, Angelo Reyes, stressed that they are indeed, looking forward of staging a possible title match here that would pit Julaton against one-time conqueror Liza Brown, a rematch with Villalobos or a showdown with Acuna, the 33-year old native of Formosa, Argentina, who’s the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion.

“Ana wants to stay active and we’re eyeing September for her next fight, hopefully here in the Philippines,” said Reyes, a native of Nasugbu, Batangas.

A duel against any of the three, according to Reyes, is definitely a huge one, especially against Acuna, whom he said is considered as one of the top pound-for-pound woman fighters in the world today.

Brown is also a very interesting prospect as Julaton, now being trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, has an ax to grind against the Canadian, who scored a unanimous decision in their March 27 bout for the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior featherweight crown.

Julaton, owner of a 7-2-2 (win-loss-draw) record, is also not discounting giving Villalobos a rematch in the wake of her split decision win that had two judges scoring the bout in her favor, 96-94.

“Everything is under negotiation. I’m just excited right now being here in front of you and will be taking everything one game at a time,” said Julaton, who traces her roots in Pozzorubio, Pangasinan.

Based in San Francisco, California, Julaton just turned 20 last July 5, prompting GMA network executives to surprise her by presenting a mini cake and a bouquet of flower to the boxing champion.

In turn, she presented Gozon a personally-signed boxing gloves before leaving the premises on her way to a courtesy call with President Aquino in Malacanang.

Julaton understands a little bit of Filipino and speaks simple Filipino words such as `opo’, `maraming salamat’, `mabuhay’ and `kapuso.’

She admitted being a subscriber of GMA Pinoy TV in the U.S. and enjoys watching the long-running noontime show `Eat Bulaga’, citing `Sa Pula, Sa Puti’ as her favorite portion.

By today or Wednesday, she will be traveling to Pangasinan to formally meet her Filipino relatives, before flying back to the U.S. over the weekend.

“I want to enjoy my stay in the Philippines and I would love to comeback for a longer stay,” she said.

“I’m proud to be a Filipino. And I’m proud to be Kapuso.”

PACMAN TO FLOYD: `LET'S GET IT ON'

2010-08-09T03:36:00.000-07:00

By Gerry Ramos

NOW Manny Pacquiao has issued the challenge. It’s up to Floyd Mayweather Jr. whether to call the dare or not.

In one rare instance, Pacquiao called out Mayweather to face him in the ring on Nov. 13 in what he – and a lot more - believes is the fight the whole world wants to see.

The fighting Congressman from the lone district of Sarangani formally made the shout out in his weekly blog in a popular boxing website.

“I am the champion, I have the belts and I should not be the one challenging you. I should not even be the one trying to make this fight happen,” said the 31-year old Filipino considered the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world today.

“But Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is what everyone wants, that’s why I am calling out your names. My promoter Bob Arum will be waiting for your call and will be very glad to hear what you have to say. The sooner, the better.”

Recent developments that saw Floyd Jr. possibly leaning on tapping controversial boxing figure Don King to be his promoter had the Pacquiao camp given a new lease of hope on making possibly the richest fight in history happen following failed negotiations in the past.

The last of those series of talks came to an end three weeks ago when the Mayweather camp hardly bothered to answer the deadline set by Top Rank big boss Bob Arum whether he’s willing to fight Pacquiao or not.

Arum, who owns the promotional rights on Pacquiao, said an agreement has already been reached by the two parties including the issues surrounding the terms of purse sharing and random drug testing as negotiated by him and Mayweather’s adviser Leonard Ellerby through HBO president for sports Ross Greenburg, who acted as middle man.

But not a single word was heard from Mayweather, and to make matter worst, his manager Al Haymon and Golden Boy CEO Richard Schaefer, who represented Floyd Jr., denied that no negotiations happened, prompting Arum to look somewhere else and consider other fight options.

The Top Rank promoter did find one in Mexican Antonio Margarito, also fighting under his stable, although no contract has yet been signed as the site for the 12-round bout is still to be named.

“For now, Antonio Margarito of Mexico is the likely replacement of Mayweather in Nov. 13, but for me, there is nothing more beautiful news if the Mayweather camp will change its mind. And I am sure boxing fans or any other sports fans will follow this very closely,” Pacquiao added.

The seven-time world champion believes a fight with Mayweather can still be swayed from here on to Nov. 13.

First and foremost, he said, Floyd Jr. and King should get their acts together, especially the promoter with the weird hairdo, whom he believes could work hand in hand with Arum in pushing the mega-bout.

“I hope Mayweather is serious enough in doing business with Don King and is not doing this only to save face. I hope Don King does the same in return, that he can make miracles happen,” said Pacquiao.

“I say this to both these men: Let's Get It On. Fight like warriors and brave men. If Mayweather is not really a coward, he needs to prove himself in the ring. I gave in more than what is necessary and I accepted some of the requests that Mayweather asked for just to have this fight to go through,” he added.

MARGARITO IS THE CHOSEN ONE

2010-08-09T03:33:00.000-07:00

Antonio Margarito

By Gerry Ramos

NOT a rematch with Miguel Cotto. And certainly not the mega-fight the world wants to see against Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Instead, Manny Pacquiao’s next opponent is a vicious fighter caught with a loaded hand-wrap just a year ago and is still unlicensed to fight in the U.S.

Disgraced in 2009 in the aftermath of that illegal hand-wrap controversy, Antonio Margarito now finds himself facing the biggest fight of his tarnished career after being anointed by Top Rank promoter Bob Arum as the winner of the coveted Manny Pacquiao sweepstake that has a November 13 draw either in Las Vegas or in Mexico.

The fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) junior middleweight crown came about a week after Arum received no reply from Mayweather Jr. whether he’s willing to sign the contract for a Pacquiao bout that would pit two of the world’s top pound-for-pound fighters in the world today.

Arum made a choice on who between Margarito and Cotto, whom Pacquiao demolished in 12 rounds last November for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight title, would be the logical choice to take over the huge vacuum vacated by Floyd Jr.

In the end, Margarito’s gutsy fighting style made the 78-year old promoter believe the Mexican could give the fighting Congressman from the Philippines a hell of an action-packed match.

“Margarito knows only one way to fight and that’s coming forward,” said Arum in defending his choice of an opponent deemed by many as unpopular for being caught with a hardened substance in his knuckle pad prior to his title fight with Sugar Shane Mosley.

“They’re going to get in there and fight. That’s what people want to see,” Arum added.

Pacquiao, now busy preparing for the opening of Congress next week, was consulted about the matter by Arum and his adviser, Michael Konz, and readily gave his go signal to make the bout happen.

“Maganda ‘yun,” said Pacquiao, who also expressed his thrill at the possibility of fighting in Mexico for the first time.

“Walang problema doon. Excited din akong lumaban sa Mexico. First time kong lalaban doon,” added the 31-year old Filipino ring idol, who’s also known as the `Mexican Assassin’ for beating legendary fighters out of the North American country such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar Larios, Hector Velasquez and Jorge Solis.

For the match to be held in Mexico meant Margarito would no longer be re-applying for a license in the U.S. where he has been banned for fighting in the light of that hand-wrap controversy.

The one-year suspension slapped on the 32-year old Mexican by the California State Athletic Commission – Staples Center being the site of his fight with Mosley then - has already elapsed and Arum said Margarito will definitely re-apply for a license.

Margarito actually applied for a license in Nevada last July 9, but the Nevada Athletic Commission voted 4-1 to shelve his application, telling him instead to apply first in California.

But outside of the controversy hounding Margarito, a two-time welterweight champion, Arum said Margarito is definitely a competitive opponent for Pacquiao once they meet in the ring.

“Putting aside the controversy about the wraps, the one thing you know for sure with a Margarito fight is that it will be a hell of a fight for however long it lasts,” said the Top Rank chairman.

Following his ninth round loss to Mosley and the subsequent lifting of the suspension, Margarito (38-6, 27 KOs) made his comeback fight last May in Mexico, scoring a hardly impressive unanimous decision win over Roberto Garcia.

Although a lot can still be made in a Cotto rematch, Arum sees a Margarito fight as a lucrative option.

“Cotto was beaten and even with (Hall of Fame trainer) Emanuel Steward now with him, I don’t think people believe that it’s enough to make a difference and I’m not sure they would buy it as competitive,” Arum said.

Pacquiao (51-3, 38KOs) last fought March 13 at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, carving out a lopsided unanimous decision against Joshua Clottey to retain his WBO 147-title belt in front of a crowd of 51,000.

FORGET IT!

2010-07-17T05:02:00.000-07:00

Mayweather

By Gerry Ramos

PLEASE step aside Floyd Mayweather Jr.

With no word coming from the loudmouth boxing star on whether he’s willing to do a potentially lucrative fight with Filipino Manny Pacquiao this November, Top Rank Promotions chairman Bob Arum announced he’s moving on and is now looking forward to negotiating a deal with either two-time world champion Antonio Margarito or a rematch with reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) junior middleweight champion Miguel Cotto.

In a conference call from Las Vegas, Arum said Mayweather failed to respond to the Friday night deadline Top Rank imposed upon him regarding a possible Nov. 13 showdown with Pacquiao, considered the universal pound-for-pound fighter today and now a Congressman from the lone district of Sarangani.

“Floyd, for whatever reason, didn’t want to commit,” said the 78-year old Arum, who has promoted some of the richest bouts in boxing history, including the epic `Thrilla in Manila’ and the super-fight pitting Marvelous Marvin Hagler and Tommy `The Hitman’ Hearns.

“I’ve had no negotiations or discussions with any other fighter,” Arum added. “This Friday was the end of the exclusivity agreement.”

The 31-year old Pacquiao was hardly bothered by the failure to lure Floyd Jr. in the ring for the second straight time.

“OK lang sa akin kung ayaw niyang lumaban. Ang sa akin lang naman, kung sino ang gustong humarap sa akin, `yun ang lalabanan ko,” said Pacquiao, who attended the birthday party of chief of staff Jake Joson Friday night.

Fight trainer Jeff Mayweather, uncle of Floyd Jr., believes Arum is just doing it to make his nephew look bad in the eyes of the public.

“Basically, it’s a situation where Bob wants to make Floyd look like he’s a bad guy by doing this. Realistically, it doesn’t matter because at the end of the day, Floyd don’t need Manny and Manny don’t need him. They need each other to make that kind of money,” he said.

While not totally discounting the possibility of hearing from the Mayweather camp, Arum is now opting for Plan B as he tries to negotiate with representatives of Cotto and Margarito, two boxers belonging to the same Top Rank stable as Pacquiao.

Arum hopes talks can begin by next week, noting that time is indeed, running out to hype and buildup a fight set four months from now.

A bout with Margarito may likely end up being staged in Monterey, Mexico since the former welterweight champion is not licensed to fight in the U.S. after being caught wearing an illegal substance in his hand wraps minutes before his title fight with Sugar Shane Mosley last year.

The ban is not applied in the U.S.

A return bout with Cotto on the other hand, will have the WBA 154-pound title belt at stake which the Puerto Rican won last June by dethroning Yuri Foreman via a ninth round technical knockout.

“It’s dead (Pacquiao-Mayweather) when we conclude a deal with an opponent for Manny’s fight in November,” Arum added.

The Top Rank big boss made it clear however, that he’s not conceding about making the fight the world wants to see hopefully by next year.

“He’ll (Pacquiao) look to do a fight with Floyd next year," Arum said.

The long-time boxing promoter doesn’t want to second guess why Mayweather, for the second time in a row, refused to do a fight guaranteed to net him and Pacquiao at least $50 million each.

But he did mention that the coming August trial of Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle and chief trainer, may have something to do with it.

The elder Mayweather is going to trial following a battery charge filed against him by a female boxer he once handled.

“I'm trying to rationalize it, and if it's because he may be reluctant to fight now because of the problems his uncle (and trainer, Roger Mayweather) has, then I understand it," Arum said.

“I know Manny would not want to go into a fight without the services of Freddie Roach. Presumably, Floyd feels the same way about going into a big fight like this without the services of his Uncle Roger.”

The Top Rank chief revealed he never negotiated with anybody from the Mayweather camp, with only Ross Greenberg, president of HBO sports, acting as the sole intermediary between the two parties.

After Greenberg held a series of talks with both Arum and Mayweather’s adviser, Al Haymon, it appeared both parties had come up with an acceptable offer, including the drug-testing issue that derailed last year’s first negotiations for the fight, and a resolution seemed close to being reached.

Unfortunately, Mayweather would have none of it.

“Without knowing, I am sure that there is a very, very good reason that Floyd Mayweather has for not committing to a fight at this time,” Arum said. “I really and truly believe that.”

VIRTUAL DUAL MEET IN MVP CUP FINALS

2010-07-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

HOST Philippines sent six more boxers to the finals of the 1st MVP International Boxing Friendship Cup yesterday at the PICC Forum Tent.

Annie Albania, Nesthy Petecio, Victorio Saludar, Charly Suarez, Joegin Ladon and Jimmy Vallares bested their respective foreign rivals and barged into the finals, turning the tournament into a virtual dual meet between the Philippines and Thailand.

Albania ousted Jan Jayasinghe of Sri Lanka, 9-0 in the 51kgs. category ; Petecio eliminated Rewadee Damsri of Thailand, 11-7, in the 57kgs.; Saludar stopped TM Tennakoon of Sri Lanka in the first round in the 48kgs; Suarez stopped Chin Yuan Kao of Chinese Taipei in the 57kgs; Ladon ousted Yu Chen of China, 8-3, in the 60 kgs., and Vallares clobbered Pri Rajapaksha of Sri Lanka, 4-1, in the 64 kgs.

Rolando Tacuyan, Bill Vicera and his cousin Jameboy were not as fortunate and lost to their respective foreign rivals.

Tacuyan vowed to Oatcharija Haewsuno of Thailand,1-10, in the 64kgs, Bill lost to Zhiongling Wu of China, 2-12, in the 48kgs., and Jameboy vowed to Apitchet Kulsri of Thailand, 2-4, in the 60kgs.

The Philippines sent a total of 11 boxers, including four women, in the seven-nation slugfest presented by PLDT and named in honor of sportsman and business tycoon and ABAP chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

Pangilinan, known as MVP, watched the fights in the company of the Talk N’ Text PBA basketball team.

Other sponsors include Tanduay, Outlast, Powerade, Clusivol, Burger King, BMW, G4S, Maynilad, Ubix Corporation, Waterfront Manila Pavilion, and Smart Communication.

Albania meets Peamwilai Laopeam of Thailand, Petecio faces Weng Lin Cheng of Chinese Taipei, Saludar square off Zhongling Wu of China, Suarez challenges Athens Olympian Worapoj of Thailand, Ladon meets Apichat Kulsri of Thailand, and Vallares faces Oatcharija Haewsuno also of Thailand in the finals starting at 2 p.m. today.

Laopeam entered the finals without throwing a punch due to lack of participants.

The Thai watched her teammates fight after taking a bye.

“First time ko siyang makakaharap. Delikado ako dahil malaki siya sa akin. Pipilitin kong manalo,” said Albania.

The win pushed Ladon into a winner-take-all match with Apichet Kulsri, the 25-year-old boxer from Bangkok who ousted Jameboy Vicera.

Vallares forged a do-or-die with Oatcharija Haewsuno of Thailand, who dispatched Tacuyan.

Suarez, 21, from Davao, dictated the tempo of the fight, stalking his taller southpaw Taiwanese rival with flurry of punches right from the opening bell on the way to an easy win.

Chin got three mandatory eight counts in the second round, forcing the Malaysian referee to stop the fight to save the Taiwanese from further harm.

The win sent Suarez to a title date with Athens Olympian Worapoj Petchkoom, who stopped Lon Chi Meng of Macau, in the second round.

Saludar caught the Sri Lanka with a solid left uppercut to the jaw, forcing the Vietnamese referee to stop the fight.

Saludar faces Zhongling Wu of China, conqueror of Bill Vicera in the 48kgs.

Earlier, Alice Kate Aparri, Josie Gabuco, Gerson Nietes, Glicerio Catolico III, and Delfin Boholst had entered into the final.

Winner in each division of the seven-nation slugfest organized by ABAP wins $1,0000.

PINOY BETS CHARGE ON IN MVP CUP

2010-07-17T04:54:00.000-07:00

FIVE Filipino bets are in the finals of the 1st MVP International Boxing Friendship Cup.

Alice Kate Aparri and Josie Gabuco hammered their way past opponents from Thailand, with Gerson Nietes, Glicerio Catolico III and Delfin Boholst also advanced at the PICC Forum Tent last night

Nietes beat Wu Rongguo of China on points in the 51kgs class, Catolico ousted Tso Seng Yu of Hong Kong, 13-3, via referee stopped contest in the 54kgs, and Boholst crushed Wei Jen Chang of Chinese Taipei via referee stopped contest, 10-2.

Cheered by the hometown crowd, Aparri ousted Sopida Satumram, 3-1, in the 48kgs, and Gabuco eliminated Dueannapha Ngalam, 1-0, in the 46kgs.

Rey Saludar, Recky Dulay and Wilfredo Lopez, however, were not as fortunate and lost to their respective Thai rivals.

Saludar vowed to Amnaj Ruenroeng, 3-7, in the 51kgs. Dulay lost to Donchai Thatl, 7-8, in the 54kgs, and Lopez succumbed to Apichet Saensit, 0-3, in the 69kgs..

The win set up Aparri for a winner-take-all match with Shiqi Xu of China while Gabuco forged a title showdown with Tu Fen Weng of Chinese Taipei.

Xu crushed Un Mou Kuan of Macau, 13-3, and Tu clobbered Mak Kit also of Macau, 16-5.

The loss was Satumram’s second to a Filipino since vowing to Annie Albania in the finals in the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam last year.

Thai coach Chaichoompol Chamnanmark graciously accepted the verdict and praised the Filipino. “She’s good. She fought a superior fight,” said the Thai coach on Aparri.

Gabuco said she doesn’t know much about her Taiwanese rival, adding it was the first time they will meet in the ring.

“Wala akong alam sa kanya dahil ngayon lang kami magkakaharap. Gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo ng gold. Yan naman talaga ang goal ko,” said the 23-year-old native of Puerto Princesa.

Nietes survived Wu Rongguo’s late charge and won the bout on points in the 51kgs.

The 19-year-old southpaw from Bacolod and cousin of WBO champion Donnie Nietes, lead 7-4 midway of the final round, but the Chinese rallied to knot the count at 8-all.

The Filipinos, however, was declared winner based on the individual scoring of the five judges.

Nietes floored Rongguo with a wicked right hook in the third round and the Chinese received a mandatory eight count from the Malaysian referee.

Equally explosive was Catolico III who scored a 13-3 referee stopped contest win in the third round in the 54 kgs.

Nietes meets Amnaj Ruenroeng of China in a winner- take-all match. The Chinese ousted Rey Saludar, 7-3.

RP BOXERS SHOW WAY

2010-07-17T04:50:00.000-07:00

DISPLAYING their readiness for the big war ahead, Filipino boxers yesterday gave future opponents a glimpse of what to expect in the Asian Games in Guangzhou this November.

Before a huge inaugural crowd that included Dr. Ching Kuo Wu of the International Amateur Boxing Association and Chang Jianping, head of the Asian Boxing Confederation, the Filipinos, big in number and in heart, debuted with flair and style.

Setting the stage were Alice Kate Aparri and Gerson Nietes with lopsided victories over separate rivals as host Philippines started its campaign in the MVP International Boxing Friendship Cup on a vigorous note at the PICC Forum Tent.

Aparri, veteran of the Asian Indoor Games held in Vietnam last year, outclassed Kaad Kodituwakku of Sri Lanka, 9-5, in the quarterfinals and assured herself of at least a bronze medal in the light flyweight in the tournament presented by PLDT, while Nietes crushed another DM Samarasekara, 13-3, in the flyweight category.

Ricky Dulay duplicated the feats of Aparri and Nietes by beating Yu Chen Lin of Chinese Taipei on points in the bantamweight division after Donchai Thatl of Thailand clobbered Leong Son Keong of Macau also in the bantamweight class.

Only six boxers are entered in the women’s light flyweight category.

A gold medalist in the 2005 and 2009 Southeast Asian Games and silver medalist in the 2007 edition in Thailand, Aparri dominated the match to reaffirm her mastery of the Sri Lankan whom she beat during the Sri Lanka-Philippine dual meet in 2004.

“Nahirapan ako sa umpisa dahil hindi pa ako pinawisan. Sa second round dominated ko na hanggang sa matapos ang laban,” said Aparri, who turns 26 on July 24.

“Pinaghandaan ko ito. Halos araw-araw ang ensayo namin para sa tournament na ito,” said Aparri, who fought in the 46 kgs. and shifted to 48 kgs. during the 2006 World Boxing championship in India.

Aparri’s impressive win came after Sopida Satumram of Thailand beat Wang Tin Lin of Chinese Taipei also in the light flyweight division.

Satumram lost to Annie Albania for the gold in the flyweight category in the Asian Indoor Games held in Vietnam last year.

The Thai fights in the light flyweight apparently to evade a rematch with Albania.

Displaying superior boxing skill and excellent footwork, the 18-year-old Nietes, veteran of the 2008 World Junior Boxing competition in Mexico and a bronze medalist in the 2009 King’s Cup in Thailand and 2010 China Open, dominated the match, staking his Sri Lankan rival with series of punches on the way to an easy win to the delight of the hometown crowd.

Ten bouts in men and two in women spiced the opening of the five-nation competition which is part of the Filipinos’ preparation for the Asian Games.

Thirty nine male and 19 female boxers from five countries, including host Philippines, are seeing action in the slugfest named in honor of sportsman and business tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan.

In other bouts, the Philippines Charly Suarez defeated MDK Wanniarchchi of Sri Lanka, 5-1, in the 57kg division, and compatriot Joegin Ladon stopped Hong Kong’s Chan TSZ Yin (RSC-outclassed) in 2:35 minutes of the third round in the 60 kg. class.

China’s Yu Cen clobbered Chinese-Taipei, 10-2, in another 60 kg. fight.

Among those who graced the inaugural rites were Philippine Olympic Committee officials former Rep. Jose ‘Peping’ Cojuangco, POC president, chairman Monico Puentevella and secretary-general Steve Hontiveros.

Also present were Philippine Sports Commission’s Richie Garcia, reportedly the next PSC chairman, and Mansueto ‘Onyok’ Velasco, the 1996 Atlanta Olympics silver medalist who did a dance number during the pre-fight show.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas pledged full support for the country’s quest to win its first Olympic gold medal, proclaiming “may asim na ang ABAP ngayon!”

6 NATIONS VIE IN MVP RINGFEST

2010-07-13T03:56:00.000-07:00

THE boxers of Macau and Sri Lanka were the first to set foot in the country to take part in the first MVP Cup International Boxing Friendship Games which fires off today at the Philippine International Convention Center Forum Tent.

The report was made by Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines executive director Ed Picson.

Gold medals in seven weight categories in the men’s division and five in the women’s side are at stake, with $1,000, courtesy of ABAP chairman and corporate tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, awaiting each gold medal winner.

Furious action is expected in the following categories: 48kgs., 51kgs.,54kgs., 57kgs., 60kgs., 64kgs., and 69kgs. for men, and 46kgs., 58kgs., 51kgs., 54kgs., and 57kgs. for women.

Bannering the charge of the host country are Charly Suarez, Jherjigs Chavez, Victorio Saludar, Bill Vicera, Rey Saludar, Gerson Nietes, Glicerio Catolico III, Recky Dulay, Joergin Ladon, Jameboy Vicera, Jimmy Vallares, Rolando Tacuyan, Delfin Boholst, Wilfredo Lopez, Josie Gabuco, Alice Kate Aparri, Annie Albania, Nesthy Petecio and Noeme Tacda.

The preliminary bouts start on Thursday after the arrival of foreign boxing officials, referees and judges. Entrance is open free to the sporting public, with buses waiting to ferry spectators from the Rizal Memorial Coliseum on Vito Cruz to the venue at the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex.

Richard Zhang, the Taiwanese president of the Asian Amateur Boxing Confederation, will grace the opening ceremonies of the weeklong competition supported by the Philippine Sports Commission chaired by Harry Angping.

Each of the three rounds will be three minutes in duration with 60 seconds rest between rounds for men, and four rounds of two minutes each with 60 seconds rest for women.

A total of 39 boxers from six countries, including host Philippines, are competing in the slugfest.

Thailand, handled by veteran Cuban ring tactician Malaga, entered 10 boxers, led by 2004 Athens Olympian Worapoj Petchikoom and Asian Indoor Games campaigner Sopida Satumram.

Petchkoom competes in the 57 kilograms and Satumram, who has an old grudge to settle with Annie Albania, having lost to the Filipino in the finals in the Asian Indoor Games in Hanoi, Vietnam last year, sees action in the 51 kgs.

Other Thai boxers are Amnaj Ruenroeng, Donchai Thati, Apichat Kulsri, Oatchariya Haewsuno, Apichet Saensit, Dueannapha Ngalam, Peamwilai Laopeam, and Rewadee Damsri.

Other countries seeing action are China, Chinese-Taipei, and Hong Kong.

China sent three male and one female boxers, Chinese Taipei seven (four men and three female), Sri Lanka nine (five men and four women), Hong Kong four (four male), and Macua five (three male and two female).

Picson is optimistic the Filipinos have good chances against their foreign rivals.

QUEEN ANA

2010-07-13T03:52:00.000-07:00

By Gerry Ramos

THE sky’s the limit as far as Filipina boxing star Ana Julaton is concerned.

Since bagging the World Boxing Organization (WBO) super-bantamweight title two weeks ago, prospects are aplenty for the stunning lass known as `The Hurricane’, with no less than 3 major fights being eyed by her team, including a possible championship clash with Argentine premier boxer Marcela Acuna.

Julaton made known her plans upon arriving in the country for the first time Monday on the invitation of giant network GMA, which aired several of her fights in the past, the latest of which came last June 30 when she scored a split decision over Maria Elena Villalobos of Mexico to win the WBO 120-pound crown.

Named Luciana Bonifacio Julaton, the former taekwondo jin turned boxer admitted being thrilled by her first visit in the Philippines, where she hopes to stage a fight by the end of the year or maybe, by 2011.

“I’m definitely looking forward to fighting here. I would love to have that,” said Julaton when she met the local press during a luncheon hosted by GMA in her behalf led by chairman Atty. Felipe Gozon.

Her U.S. based manager, Angelo Reyes, stressed that they are indeed, looking forward of staging a possible title match here that would pit Julaton against one-time conqueror Liza Brown, a rematch with Villalobos or a showdown with Acuna, the 33-year old native of Formosa, Argentina, who’s the reigning World Boxing Council (WBC) super-featherweight champion.

“Ana wants to stay active and we’re eyeing September for her next fight, hopefully here in the Philippines,” said Reyes, a native of Nasugbu, Batangas.

A duel against any of the three, according to Reyes, is definitely a huge one, especially against Acuna, whom he said is considered as one of the top pound-for-pound woman fighters in the world today.

Brown is also a very interesting prospect as Julaton, now being trained by Hall of Famer Freddie Roach, has an ax to grind against the Canadian, who scored a unanimous decision in their March 27 bout for the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior featherweight crown.

Julaton, owner of a 7-2-2 (win-loss-draw) record, is also not discounting giving Villalobos a rematch in the wake of her split decision win that had two judges scoring the bout in her favor, 96-94.

“Everything is under negotiation. I’m just excited right now being here in front of you and will be taking everything one game at a time,” said Julaton, who traces her roots in Pozzorubio, Pangasinan.

Based in San Francisco, California, Julaton just turned 20 last July 5, prompting GMA network executives to surprise her by presenting a mini cake and a bouquet of flower to the boxing champion.

In turn, she presented Gozon a personally-signed boxing gloves before leaving the premises on her way to a courtesy call with President Aquino in Malacanang.

Julaton understands a little bit of Filipino and speaks simple Filipino words such as `opo’, `maraming salamat’, `mabuhay’ and `kapuso.’

She admitted being a subscriber of GMA Pinoy TV in the U.S. and enjoys watching the long-running noontime show `Eat Bulaga’, citing `Sa Pula, Sa Puti’ as her favorite portion.

By today or Wednesday, she will be traveling to Pangasinan to formally meet her Filipino relatives, before flying back to the U.S. over the weekend.

“I want to enjoy my stay in the Philippines and I would love to comeback for a longer stay,” she said.

“I’m proud to be a Filipino. And I’m proud to be Kapuso.”

DONAIRE SAVES DAY

2010-07-13T03:49:00.000-07:00

PUERTO RICO – Filipino Bernabe Concepcion failed in his bid for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) featherweight title after losing a 2nd round technical knockout loss against fearsome puncher Juan Manuel Lopez.

Lopez knocked Concepcion thrice, including in the first minute of the 12-round title fight at the Coliseo De Puerto Rico in Hato Rey, just outside of the capital city of San Juan.

The end came for the unmatched challenger in the 2:37 of the second round when referee Luis Pabon stepped in to half the bout.

But Concepcion also had his moment when he caught Lopez with a flushing left hook that sent the champion down to the canvas.

“Sometimes you get a little bit overconfident,” said the charismatic champion (29-0, with 26 KOs). “That’s what happened there. I have to be cautious never to be over confident.”

Young Eden Sonsona also loses his North Atlantic Boxing Organization super-bantamweight title fight against Jonathan Oquendo.

The 21-year old Sonsona was stopped at the 1:09 mark of the ninth round after previously being knocked down in the eight.

Nonito Donaire proved to be the saving grace for the Philippines as he successfully defended his interim World Boxing Association (WBA) super flyweight title with an eighth-round technical knockout of Mexican Hernan Marquez.

Donaire improved to 24-1, including 16 KOs. Marquez lost for the second straight fight and dropped to 25-2 (18 KOs).

BARELY FOR BRIAN

2010-07-12T03:58:00.001-07:00

FORMER two-time world champion Brian Viloria didn’t disappoint in his flyweight debut, scoring a split decision against Mexican Omar Soto Saturday night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig.

After the game, book you hotel through Expedia.

There were no knockdowns in the 10-round non-title bout serving as Viloria’s comeback fight, but the 29-year old native of Honolulu , Hawaii inflicted damages enough to win in two of the three judges’ scorecards.

Ricardo Canlas and Edwin Sese saw the fight in Viloria’s favor, scoring it both 97-93, while Atty. Epi Almeda had it 97-93 for Soto.

Although satisfied with the win fashioned out before a sizeable weekend crowd that included reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Congressman Manny Pacquiao and former two-time world champion Gerry Penalosa, Viloria admitted there are still a lot of things to improve in his bid to win a third world championship.

“I was off six months. I thought this is a good step. I wanted to be safe in there. I don’t want to make it too dramatic,” said Viloria in the post-fight press conference of the boxing card billed `Unbreakable (Boxing At The Bay 4) promoted by Solar Sports.

“I will go back straight to the gym and work even harder for the next fight.”

Viloria improved to 27-3, with 15 KOs . The win was the first for the former Olympian, who suffered a heartbreaking 12-round knockout loss to Columbian Carlos Tamara in January to yield his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight title.

Accompanied by his team including fiancé Erika Navarro and trainers Ruben Gomez and Frank Liles, Viloria is bound to visit relatives in Ilocos by Monday and then flies back to the U.S. just before the week is over.

He said a possible next fight may come either in October or November.

Soto fell to 19-7-2 with 13 KOs , and didn’t hide his disappointment about getting the raw end of the deal.

“I traveled a long way and I expected a lot. I think the fight was a lot closer in my favor,” added the Mexican, who sported a blot on his right eye, which he claimed was courtesy of a Viloria headbutt.

BRIAN READY

2010-07-09T07:08:00.001-07:00

Viloria: 112, Soto:111.5

NOW fighting in a weight class he considers as ideal for him, former two-time world champion Brian Viloria launches his comeback fight tonight in what he considers as the start of a bid for another world championship.

The 29-year old Viloria squares off with Mexican Omar Soto in a 10-round non-title bout at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, marking his first ring appearance in six months since yielding his International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown to Carlos Tamara of Colombia last January.

Following that heartbreaking loss at the Astrodome that saw the former Olympian from Honolulu, Hawaii collapsed at his dressing room after the fight and rushed to the hospital later on, Viloria decided to move up in weight and campaign in the flyweight division.

At the official weigh-in for the fight at the Ruby Hall Crown of the Galleria Hotel, Viloria didn’t have a hard time making the weight limit, coming in at exactly 112 pounds.

Soto tipped in at 111 and ½ pounds.

“You’re gonna see the best Brian Viloria. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m gonna show the real me,” said Viloria, owner of a 26-3 record, 15 of them by way of knockout.

Billed `Unbreakable’, the promotion is the fourth installment of the Boxing At The Bay series promoted by Solartv and Solar Sports.

Soto vows to spoil Viloria’s comeback bid.

“I know he’s a very fast boxer. But my advantage is my speed. So it’s going to be a fast and intelligent fight this Saturday,” the 30-year old Mexican said.

Soto (19-6, 13 KOs) twice campaigned for a world title in the past, but lost both chances against Muhammad Rachman in 2006 (IBF minimumweight) and Omar Andres Narvaez just last year (World Boxing Organization flyweight).

Unlike Viloria, Soto drew with Juan Kantun in his last match three months ago in Mexico.

Serving as co-main event of the boxing program is the IBF Pan Pacific championship between Filipino Al Sabaupan and Wonchit Twins Gym of Thailand.

WATCH OUT FOR THE BEST BRIAN

2010-07-07T06:00:00.000-07:00

Viloria (left) and Soto

By Gerry Ramos

FORMER two-time world champion Brian Viloria promised to come out a better fighter in his comeback bout this Saturday, a period in his unpredictable career which he refers to as a `new chapter in my book.’

“You’re gonna see the best Brian Viloria. I’m not taking anything for granted. I’m gonna show the real me,” Viloria declared for the all the people to hear during Wednesday’s press conference of the `Unbreakable’ boxing promotion, the fourth installment of the Boxing At The Bay series promoted by Solar Sports.

Omar Sotto, Viloria’s 30-year- old Mexican opponent, sat just a few seats away from the Filipino at the elevated podium, and definitely didn’t miss a word on what the former Olympian had just stated.

He does believe Viloria every inch of what he said and that’s the very reason why he agreed to take the 10-round non-title fight at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig.

“Brian is a great fighter and very famous around the world. That’s the reason why we accepted this fight,” said Soto through an interpreter seated beside him at the ballroom of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

“I know he’s a very fast boxer. But my advantage is my speed. So it’s going to be a fast and intelligent fight this Saturday,” added Soto, owner of a 27-6 record, 13 of them by way of knockout.

The match will be Viloria’s first since losing a heartbreaking 12th round technical knockout loss to Carlos Tamara of Colombia last January at the Astrodome, a setback that yielded the Filipino’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) light-flyweight crown.

Dehydrated, Viloria collapsed in his dressing room shortly after the fight and had to be rushed to the San Juan De Dios Hospital and later, transferred at the Makati Medical Center, where he was confined for about five days.

In the aftermath of the unexpected defeat, speculations understandably floated about the 29-year old Viloria (26-3, 15 KOs) finally calling it quits.

But after a brief rest and thinking it over, Viloria decided to resume his career and go for another world title at the flyweight division – the same weight class where his career all began,

“The last fight was disconcerted for me. But things happened that way,” he said. “I just wanted to pick myself right now. This fire has been burning in me since training camp and I’m going to show that side of me this Saturday.”

Viloria will also not be having long-time trainer Robert Garcia in his corner this time, following a spat that ultimately resulted to their break-up owing to disagreement whether the native of Honolulu, Hawaii is really ready for his comeback fight against Soto.

Garcia has since concentrated in training another Filipino fighter in former world champion Nonito Donaire Jr.

“Robert has to do what he had to do. I have nothing to say about the matter,” he said. “Right now, I’m comfortable with the people that I’ve worked with. It’s better off that way.”

Taking over from Garcia is Viloria’s long-time cutman and corner man Ruben Gomez.

“I have a lot of respect for Robert. We respect his opinion and we wish him good luck,” he said. “But right now, our focus is on Omar Soto. Our focus is on Saturday night. Omar Soto is the present and Saturday night is the future.”

MAYOL YIELDS TITLE

2010-06-20T05:06:00.000-07:00

Romero (left) and Mayol in action

FILIPINO Rodel Mayol failed to settle a score with Omar Nino Romero after yielding his World Boxing Council (WBC) junior flyweight title Sunday in San Jual del Rio in Queretaro, Mexico.

The 28-year old pride of Mandaue City dominated the 12-round fight early on, but faded in the later rounds to lose by unanimous decision.

Two of the judges scored the bout close, 115-112 and 115-111, while the other had the Mexican surprisingly winning by a wide margin, 117-109.

Mayol was looking for redemption against the same Mexican foe as their first bout ended up in a controversial third round technical draw after a Romero left hook knocked out the Filipino, who initially got hit by a low blow.

Mayol was carried out of the ring on a stretcher, but managed to retain his title after WBC officials deliberated on the matter.

This time, no such issue could save the day for him.

In a match filled with headbutts, Mayol failed to capitalize as Romero had bad cuts over both eyes as the result of a series of head clashes, prompting the fight to be stopped several times for the ring physician to check on the challenger.

But the turning point came in the eight round when two thundering left hooks staggered Mayol, sending the packed crowd in a frenzy amidst chants of Mexico! Mexico!

While Mayol managed to hold on and finish the round, Romero took control from there on his way to regaining the WBC title belt he once held.

Romero improved to 29-3, with 11 KOs as he became a two-time world champion after also winning the 108-pound crown in 2006 with a unanimous decision over another Filipino, Brian Viloria.

For Mayol, the loss was his second in his last five fights, a stretch that also included two draws, and a win over Mexican Edgar Sosa to snatch the WBC championship.

His record now stands at 26-5, with 20 KOS.

MAYOL TO SETTLE UNFINISH BUSINESS

2010-06-19T04:36:00.000-07:00

Mayol (left) and Romero in Saturday's weigh-in

RODEL Mayol hopes to settle an unfinished business with Omar Nino Romero as the two get it on again for the second time this year for the World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight title.

The 12-round rematch is set Sunday at the Site Bullring Exhibitor in San Juan Del Rio, Mexico.

The two first fought in February in a title fight that ended in a controversial third round technical draw.

During that February 27 match in Guadalajara, Mexico, Romero hit Mayol with a low blow during an exchange in the third round, and while the reigning champion was waiting for the referee to step in, the Mexican threw a left hook on the Filipino that knocked him out cold.

Mayol was later carried out of the ring on a stretcher amidst the frenzy in Romero’s corner.

But the celebration turned out to be premature as WBC officials deliberated on the matter and declared the fight a technical draw, allowing Mayol to retain his title belt.

This time, Mayol is making sure he’ll emerge as the clear winner.

“I feel very strong and very sure that I will beat Omar Nino clearly,” said the 28-year old champion, a native of Mandaue, Cebu but now resides in Los Angeles, California.

Wearing a ripped-off short that has the words `Viva Mexico’ printed on it, Mayol easily tipped the scale at 108 pounds during Saturday’s official weigh-in held outdoor just beside an old Catholic church.

Romero also came in at 108 pounds, but obviously struggle a bit to make the weight limit.

“All is well,” he said later. “I’ll recover a bit and go tomorrow to recover what is mine. This belt will remain here and Mayol will return to the Philippines with empty hands.

“I just want to knock Rodel Mayol out.”

Making the second defense of the title he won via a second round technical knockout of Edgar Sosa last November, Mayol has a 26-4 record with 20 knockouts.

Romero, 34, is 28-3, with 11 KOs. He is best remembered as the conqueror of Filipino champion Brian Viloria and Juanito Rubillar.