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| Ring fireworks expected at Ynares Center |
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| Thursday, 29 July 2010 20:27 |
 AS many sports fans know, this is a fine time for Philippine professional boxing.Thanks to the phenomenal success of Manny Pacquiao, Filipino fighters now get invited virtually everywhere to strut their wares. Just last week, Johnriel Casimero was in Los Mochis, Mexico, losing his WBO light flyweight title to Ramon Hirales by split decision. A fortnight ago, it was Nonito Donaire and two other Filipino pugs who fought in Puerto Rico, with “The Filipino Flash” emerging as the only victor in his successful defense of his WBA interim super flyweight title by stopping Hernan Marquez in the eighth round. But Filipino lovers of the sweet science don’t have to go very far to witness our pro pugs in action -- and with no commercials at that. At the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City tomorrow, four of our up and coming local boxers will figure in three WBC international championships topbilling the “Bakbakan sa Elorde” promotion of Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. Headlining the card supported by Gov. Casimiro Ynares Jr., Ginebra San Miguel, Gerry’s grill and Burlington socks is the match between WBC international super flyweight champion Silvester Lopez and Thai challenger Sandee Singwancha. Thanks to the invitation Bebot, we were able to size them up last Wednesday . While Lopez, who is 5-foot-6, enjoys at least a four-inch height advantage over Singwangcha, this is one foe that the 22-year-old pride of Kabalasan, Zamboanga cannot underestimate. After all, the diminutive Thai, based on his ring record, has already beaten 31 Filipino boxers, his only defeat coming at the hands of Marvin Sonsona, who knocked him out in two rounds for the then vacant WBO Oriental flyweight crown in Cebu in May last year. Since then, however, Singwancha has been resilient, winning all of his six last fights, including three against Filipinos Brix Ray, Joel Rafols and Edwin Tumbaga in succession. The Filipino champ certainly is no pushover as shown by his record of 13 wins, nine by knockout, two losses and one draw. In fact, “Silver” is gunning for his tenth consecutive triumph after winning his last nine bouts, seven of them by the short route. Both protagonists are keenly aware of the prize up for grabs for the winner of tomorrow’s top bout: an opportunity to fight for the regular WBC super flyweight belt left vacant by Victor Darchinyan, who is now competing as a bantamweight. So Lopez has his work cut out for him and, despite playing in front of what promises to be a packed hometown crowd, cannot let his guard down; to do so will be at his own peril. In contrast to Lopez and Singwangcha, who were relatively mum about their fight plans, Thai WBC international flyweight kingpin Sooksan Chaichan Sangmuangloei and Filipino challenger Ryan Bito minced no words on how they intend their match to end: by KO. “He (Sangmuangloei) will try to knock out the Filipino in every round,” said Canadian assistant trainer David Trehanne in last Wednesday’s briefing. Completing the trio of WBC international championships is the battle between former national amateur standout Warlito Parrenas and Jonathan Tacuning, who are expected to go toe-to-toe for the WBC international light flyweight plum. If classy boxing is your cup of tea, don’t hesitate to drop by starting 5 p.m. tomorrow at the Ynares Sports Center to catch the ring fireworks featuring two of our up promising Filipino boxers against their tough Thai rivals. * * * Congratulations to the 7-11-Roadbike Phils. riders who dominated the road competitions of the unification races that served as national team tryouts for the Guangzhou Asian Games. Ditto to team manager Bong Sual and director Ric Rodriguez. * * * Here and there: Our deepest condolences and prayers to Tonight deskman Pec Manaois, whose wife passed away recently, and the same to the family of late sports editor Enrique Andrada “Tito” Tagle, one of the finest and most meticulous sportswriters of his generation. Tito’s passion for facts, statistics and detail was second to none, cobbling them into an enlightening piece that more often than not was a delight to read... On a happier note, advance birthday greetings to our Journal Group editor-in-chief, friend and mentor Gus Villanueva, who marks another milestone on Aug. 4. May you continue to live long and prosper, boss. |
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