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Boxing trainer Domingo is confident Jerusalem will upset Shigeoka
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Veteran boxing trainer, Michael Domingo of ZIP Sanman Boxing Team, is confident that his prized ward Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem will make a repeat of the latter’s January 2023 world title victory in Japan. The Cebu-based Jerusalem will face the defending World Boxing Council (WBC) world minimumweight champion, Yudai Shigeoka, in Nagoya,.....»»
Amparo steps in to replace Andales for the IBF world title bout in Japan
CEBU CITY, Philippines — In a surprising turn of events, world-ranked Jake “El Bambino” Amparo of the PMI Bohol Boxing Stable stepped in as a last-minute replacement for countryman ArAr Andales in facing the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world minimumweight champion Ginjiro Shigeoka on March 31 in Nagoya, Japan. This was confirmed by PMI.....»»
Andales cancels IBF world title fight in Japan
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Filipino ArAr Andales reportedly withdrew from his world title bout on March 31 in Nagoya, Japan. Andales was scheduled to fight the reigning International Boxing Federation (IBF) world minimumweight champion, Ginjiro Shigeoka of Japan. Their world title duel was supposedly a double-header world title bout with fellow Filipino Melvin Jerusalem gunning.....»»
PMI, ARQ, ZIP Sanman boxers feted in first Elorde-Pacquiao Boxing Awards
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Central Visayas was well-represented during the inaugural Elorde-Pacquiao Boxing Awards at Okada Manila last Sunday, March 24th. This was after 13 of Central Visayas’ best boxers from Cebu and Bohol were feted for their achievements in 2023. They were headed by none other than former World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweight.....»»
Sulaiman leaves with Pinoys in his heart
World Boxing Council president Mauricio Sulaiman left Manila yesterday to return home to Mexico with fond memories of his five-day visit where he experienced Filipino hospitality, warmth and friendship. He said there will always be a place in his heart for the Philippines......»»
Melvin Jerusalem vows to end PHL’s world title drought in boxing
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Before Filipino boxers lost devastatingly in Japan, there was one who stood out and went on to become a world champion. He’s no other than Melvin “Gringo” Jerusalem, who wrested the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world minimumweight title in the hands of erstwhile champion Masataka Taniguchi. Jerusalem did it in a.....»»
Tapales the next Buster Douglas?
Sean Gibbons, the great promoter of Filipino world boxing champions, looks at Marlon Tapales as Buster Douglas......»»
Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay
The biggest Asian Games in history, boasting about 12,000 competitors -- more than the Olympics -- will open on Saturday in the Chinese city of Hangzhou after a year's delay because of Covid. Athletes including world and Olympic champions will fight for medals in 40 sports from athletics, swimming and football to eSports and bridge. Nine sports, among them boxing, break dancing and tennis, will serve as qualifiers for next year's Paris Olympics. The Games were supposed to take place last September but were postponed because of China's strict zero-Covid rules, before China's ruling Communist Party abruptly abandoned the policy. The 19th edition of the Games, which were first held in New Delhi in 1951, throws together competitors from 45 countries and territories across Asia and the Middle East. For China, which hosted the 2022 Winter Olympics in a Covid-secure "bubble" in Beijing, it is a chance to show off its organizational, sporting and technological prowess after the pandemic years cut the country off from the sporting world. "We have overcome a lot of challenges but we are now fully conditioned to hold a successful Games," Chen Weiqiang, chief spokesperson for the Games, said on Wednesday. Sport meets politics The Games will be staged at 54 venues -- 14 newly constructed -- mostly in Hangzhou but also extending to cities as far afield as Wenzhou, 300 kilometres (180 miles) south. The centerpiece is the "Big Lotus" Olympic stadium with a capacity of up to 80,000 where athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies will be staged. President Xi Jinping will attend the opening ceremony and meet Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad there, along with other visiting leaders, Chinese state media says. Assad is making his first visit to ally China since the war erupted in Syria in 2011. Russian President Vladimir Putin likewise attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Winter Olympics, along with Xi, and weeks later launched the invasion of Ukraine. Hangzhou, a city of 12 million people an hour's bullet train from Shanghai, is famed in China for its ancient temples, gardens and its beloved West Lake. It is also the unofficial home of China's tech industry, notably the birth place of Jack Ma's Alibaba. The Games will showcase some of the latest tech to come out of the city, including driverless buses, robot dogs and facial recognition. China medal dash Hosts China have topped the medals table at every Asian Games since 1982 and are expected to do so again by the time the curtain comes down on October 8. They should reign in swimming, with Qin Haiyang fresh from his heroics at the world championships, where he announced himself as the new undisputed breaststroke king. The 24-year-old swept all three men's events and set a new world record in the 200m. In athletics, another of the most closely watched sports, India's Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra will defend his Asian Games javelin crown. His nearest competitor should be world silver medalist Arshad Nadeem from arch-rivals Pakistan and the countries are also on a collision course in cricket and hockey. ESports, in what is seen as a step toward Olympic inclusion one day, will make its full Asian Games debut having been a demonstration sport five years ago. Lee Sang-hyeok, better known as "Faker", has god-like status in League of Legends and will lead the South Korean charge at the futuristic-looking China Hangzhou Esports Centre. There is an added incentive which has caused controversy in South Korea -- winning gold will exempt them from having to do military service. A feature of the Asian Games is that it includes sports that are a little more quirky than the Olympics. Xiangqi -- also known as "Chinese chess" -- the card game bridge and the ancient wrestling discipline of kurash are all on the menu. Although the Games officially open on Saturday, the sporting action began on Tuesday, when North Korea returned to major international competition for the first time since the pandemic with a 2-0 win over Taiwan in men's football. The post Biggest-ever Asian Games ready for liftoff in China after Covid delay appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES — Mananquil emerges as Phl boxing’s top power broker
When boxing promoter-manager Jim Claude Mananquil is not attending to his stable of fighters, he can be seen just before daybreak minding his family’s tuna export business in General Santos City. “This is what keeps my boxing promotion going,” said the 29-year-old Mananquil, who started promoting at the tender age of 15. Of course, Mananquil didn’t have the proper license to put up fights owing to his being a minor and somebody with a license had to pose as the promoter-on-record. But it was he who assembled all the fighters and took care of the finances, quite a feat for someone whose main weapon for staging a card was his unparalleled love for the fight game. Instead of celebrating, Mananquil had to endure 16 straight losses as most of his boxers — though solidly built — were all as raw and green as a harvested broccoli. “We got kids who had muscular bodies thinking that they would do well in the ring. But everyone lost and I was devastated,” recalled Mananquil, who manages two-belt world super-bantamweight Marlon Tapales. Born and bred in General Santos City, Mananquil fell in love with the fight game at an early age. “I looked up to, of course, Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather and Zab Judah,” he said. Mananquil didn’t just like boxing. He was so obsessed with the sport that he even wanted to proceed with a professional career after a triumphant debut in 2018. “But my mom objected and told me to just get involved in boxing as long as I don’t fight.” Mananquil was already busy promoting even before he turned 20 and in just a few years he was crisscrossing the United States accompanying his boxers signed up to see action under different promoters. At one time, his boxers set up camp in Miami under a Florida-based Cuban trainer but soon found himself relocating to southern California and Las Vegas with influential American fight guy Sean Gibbons lending a hand. Just a few months ago, Mananquil had two reigning world champions: Tapales and Melvin Jerusalem. But Jerusalem’s reign as World Boxing Organization minimumweight titlist was short-lived. After winning the World Boxing Organization 105-lb title in Tokyo in January, he surrendered the championship in Indio, California, several months later. Following Jerusalem’s loss, Mananquil is now left with Tapales, who is being groomed to figure in a megabuck matchup with Japanese Naoya “Monster” Inoue sometime in December. “My responsibility is to give Marlon the very best preparation so he can win this very important fight,” Mananquil said. The odds are stacked against the southpaw but Mananquil swears nothing is impossible. ‘It’s a tough decision but I really love boxing.’ Whether that multi-million dollar showdown happens or not will be known in the coming days and weeks as both camps are going to hold another round of talks very soon in the hopes of putting a deal in place. The youngest of three kids, Mananquil admits he is torn between the family business and boxing. And if somebody’s going to put a gun to his head, Mananquil would not hesitate to make his choice. “It’s a tough decision but I really love boxing.” Coming from a well-to-do family, Mananquil went to five schools during college. Once, he tried studying in America but went home after just a few weeks, saying his heart was not there. Back in the Philippines, Mananquil enrolled at Ateneo de Davao University, Enderun College and even tried schooling in a small college in General Santos City. Likewise, he went to school at Bonifacio Global City in Taguig but wound up backing out for the nth time and returned to General Santos City. He was always on-the-go. But one thing’s clear, though. Mananquil insists his first and only love is boxing. And if that big fight down the road happens in Tokyo before the end of the year, Mananquil says that would end up becoming the highlight of his young career provided his fighter emerges victorious. But in the meantime, Mananquil will continue to look after the tuna business in the morning to assure that boxing gets the sustenance it badly needs. Right now, Mananquil is rolling with the punches as the family business and boxing seem to be blending well. And if things fall into place, there could come a time when Mananquil won’t even have to be forced to sacrifice one but winds up mastering both. The post ROLLING WITH THE PUNCHES — Mananquil emerges as Phl boxing’s top power broker appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
FIBA World Cup experience: Springboard to greater heights
Congratulations are in order for the whole Gilas Pilipinas Team for their monumental win versus China (96-75), ending our FIBA World Cup 2023 campaign on a hopeful note. I have always believed in the capabilities of our athletes who have shown their mettle in international sports competitions. As chairperson of the Senate Committee on Sports, I am rallying all Filipinos to support our long-term roadmap to elevate the standing of our athletes in the global arena in all sporting events. Filipinos have excelled in the global stage not just in basketball, billiards, or boxing which are relatively the more popular sports in the country. Take for example Carlos Yulo in gymnastics, EJ Obiena in pole vaulting, Hidilyn Diaz in weightlifting, the late Lydia de Vega in track and field, and, of course, the Filipinas Football team who made us proud during the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup. Our very own Alex Eala is also a rising star in the world of tennis. We have many talented athletes, and we should support them in their quest to give honor to the country. However, success in any sporting event does not come easily. Any athlete will tell you that sports entails discipline, many hours of hard work, and even years of sacrifices. Hence, our efforts to strengthen our chances on the global stage must start at the grassroots level. This is the rationale behind RA 11470 or the National Academy of Sports or NAS law, which I authored and co-sponsored, and signed into law by former president Rodrigo Duterte in 2020. The NAS System will provide scholarships to qualified student-athletes from all regions and will allow them to balance academics and sports training by utilizing the state-of-the-art facilities at New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac. I am also advocating the approval of Senate Bill No. 423 or the Philippine National Games or PNG Act, to institutionalize the conduct of the PNG every two years as this will allow us to discover those with athletic potential at the grassroots level. We have talented athletes, but the government must invest in providing them with opportunities to compete if we want to produce champions on both the national and international stages. I am pushing for SBN 2116, which will amend Section 8 of RA 10699 or the “National Athletes and Coaches Benefits and Incentives Act.” This will increase the incentives for para-athletes who will win medals in international competitions and make our approach more inclusive to all athletes regardless of their physical limitations. Our efforts to achieve victory in sports must reflect the diversity of our country. The government, together with the private sector and other stakeholders, must consistently provide all the support that our teams need to compete at the global level. Our focus must be on creating opportunities for all aspiring athletes, regardless of geographic or economic background, to excel in their chosen fields. Hence, we should bring our sports development programs closer to those who have the potentials and aspirations to represent our country and bring pride to every Filipino. More importantly, sports is not only a physical game but a means to uplift lives, keep our youth away from vices like illegal drugs, and strengthen camaraderie in our communities. Let us elevate sports as a viable tool in harnessing our citizens into disciplined, productive and patriotic individuals reflective of our Filipino pride. In the same way that we unite to support our athletes, let us also unite to support fellow Filipinos in need. That is why I have continued to engage with various sectors of society to listen to their concerns and help provide solutions to their daily struggles. Filipinos inherently have a “never say die” attitude, especially in sports which is reflective of our resilience as a society. But aside from this commendable trait, our resilience also stems from our inherent compassion for each other. Our “Tapang at Malasakit” must continue so that together, we can uplift the lives of Filipinos. As a Senator and public servant, I remain steadfast in supporting our athletes to reach greater heights while also exerting efforts to help bring government programs and services closer to those in need to provide them with opportunities for a better life. The post FIBA World Cup experience: Springboard to greater heights appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Magician Efren
Author’s Note. Back in my high school days, it was normal for us students to skip classes to play billiards at the “Pink House” along Katipunan Ave. across the Ateneo campus. Our dean of discipline, Mr. Vergara, whom we dubbed Garaver, would raid the Pink House regularly to round us back to the corral. So, I can rightfully say that I speak with authority on the subject of billiards. Efren can make billiards magic because he shoots with his mind, not his hands. In truth, billiards is more of a cerebral rather than a physical game, an intellectual game rather than plain geometry and angles. That is why Efren, the Magician is revered by everyone, especially global billiard pros and commentators. He would ponder silently while chalking his cue stick and his mind would be racing through complex possibilities with lightning speed before finally making his move without hesitation. Billiards is the merging of the physics of motion and momentum and the metaphysics of “feel” and psychic power. Especially in eight-ball, it requires analysis and strategy as to where to place the cue ball for the next shot, what Filipinos call “preparacion” — a Spanish word. This is the expertise of Efren the Magician, or Efren “Bata” (The Kid) Reyes, rightfully the greatest pool player in the world today, according to pool commentators and pros. He makes his “preparacion” with ease. This has made him the first non-American to win the US Open Pool Championship. TV anchors would normally predict how Efren would play his “preparacion,” but many times they would be wrong because Efren thinks out of the box. He would go for a complex three-rail bank shot with ease instead of the more obvious straight shot. Indeed, Filipino pool players, led by Efren, are noted worldwide for the unique way they play, and how they are changing the way pool is played on the global level. The great champions from Europe and America have started adopting the unorthodox way Filipinos play. There is today a radical Filipino pool culture respected in the global arena. Efren is especially noted for casually shifting from his right hand to his left to shoot, which is a unique Filipino playing style. He is an expert in masse, giving the cue ball enough of a spin to curve around or jump over an obstructing ball by hitting the cue ball at a steep angle using a shorter cue stick. Another expertise of Efren is the “safety shot,” hiding the cue ball from the target ball, if he has no open shot to make. Rather than risk a dangerous shot to pocket the ball, this defensive strategy often leaves the opponent with an impossible shot. Efren can maneuver and hide the cue ball from the target ball with ease. Efren’s charisma abroad is phenomenal. They all love the way he scratches his head when he makes a blunder. You would not know if he made a mistake or played his magic, because, either way, he has on this sheepish smile. He would giggle if he did a “tsamba,” a lucky accident of sinking a ball in an unintended pocket. He brims with humility even in his greatness. Filipinos are good at billiards partly perhaps because it is a poor man’s game, as Efren was as a kid. One can spend hours in the billiard hall. Time just melts away. It is called making “istambay,” a corruption of the English word “stand by.” Just hanging around the pool hall all day and learning lessons from the experts, like Efren did as a kid. In contrast, sports like basketball and swimming are essentially more expensive to go into. Billiards is an “easy” and “cheap” sport because it is essentially entertainment, but at the same time cerebral. It can be expensive only if you gamble. Efren is known as the richest pool player of all time. He has earned about $2 million or P100 million as of February 2023. He is in the Guinness World Records. He and Francisco Bustamante hold the records for the greatest number of victories in pool in 2006 and 2009, respectively; followed by Li Hewen and Fu Jianbo of China in 2007 and 2010, respectively. (Source: guinnessworldrecords.com) At the age of 68, Efren still has not retired. Unlike in boxing or basketball where great athletes retire early, in pool, which requires little physical effort, there are a few rare great pros who are septuagenarians. Wikipedia lists Efren’s titles and achievements at a phenomenal 137, as of this writing. The post Magician Efren appeared first on Daily Tribune......»»
Three new Filipino boxing champions make courtesy call on President Marcos in Palace
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Three Filipino boxing champions paid a courtesy call at the Malacañang Palace on Thursday, April 20, as a fitting recognition to their world-class achievements. The three boxing champions was headed by the newly-crowned International Boxing Federation (IBF) and World Boxing Association (WBA) world super bantamweight champion Marlon “Nightmare” Tapales, the reigning […] The post Three new Filipino boxing champions make courtesy call on President Marcos in Palace appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Go stresses importance of grassroots sports
Sen. Bong Go graced the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions at Okada Manila last Saturday and highlighted the importance of investing in the country’s sports development particularly in the grassroots......»»
Magramo brothers gun for regional belts at Elorde Awards
Three regional boxing title fights will spice up the return of the Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions for its 23rd anniversary Saturday at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City......»»
Stage set for Elorde Boxing Awards return
The Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions is back on March 25, honoring the country’s finest boxers in the last three years......»»
Boxing pillars Pacquiao, Donaire to take the spotlight as Elorde Awards return
The Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions will be returning on March 25 for its 23rd anniversary at the Okada Manila Grand Ballroom in Parañaque City......»»
A merger of 2 boxing champions: Casimero hooks up with startup Japanese promoter
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Two former world champions Masayuki Ito and John Riel Casimero forged a partnership in boxing aiming to reassert the latter’s stature as a world champion. Ito formally announced his venture into the promotional side of boxing by introducing his first boxer, no other than Casimero. Ito and his team from the […] The post A merger of 2 boxing champions: Casimero hooks up with startup Japanese promoter appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Zubiri bats for full resumption of contact sports training
MANILA - Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri on Monday said he will look into the current protocols on training in boxing and other contact sports to help the country produce more champions.In a statement, Zubiri said one possible reason why the country has just one world boxing champion for.....»»
Manny Pacquiao still wants to fight the best ‘as long as I’m still in boxing’
MANILA, Philippines—Manny Pacquiao is unsure whether his fight against Yordenis Ugas would be the last of his career. He is certain, however, that as long as he’s active he’s still willing to fight whoever the best there is in the welterweight division and that includes champions Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford. “As long as […] The post Manny Pacquiao still wants to fight the best ‘as long as I’m still in boxing’ appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»
Cebuano boxer, sparring partner of many world champions, dreams of being a world champion one day
CEBU CITY, Philippines — If anyone out there has tremendous knowledge and experience in boxing at a very young age, it is the undefeated Cebuano ring warrior Kevin Jake “KJ” Cataraja. At 26, Cataraja may not have fought for a world title either against a world champion, but the pride of Tabuelan town, northwest Cebu, […] The post Cebuano boxer, sparring partner of many world champions, dreams of being a world champion one day appeared first on Cebu Daily News......»»