...the PH golden day in sports

Two golds in one day


Inquirer.net  Editorial
16 October 2019

There’s a lot to celebrate about the triumphs of Carlos Yulo and Nesthy Petecio in the world stage very recently.

Yulo scored the more celebrated victory, becoming the first Filipino world champion in gymnastics, after ruling the floor exercise in the sport’s world championships in Germany.

But not to be overlooked is Petecio, who ruled her division in the women’s competition of the boxing world championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia, beating local bet Liudmila Vorontsove in a sport notorious for hometown bias.

Their gold medal feats, achieved barely 24 hours of each other, not only polished the country’s image in the international scene, they also helped shatter sports’ stubborn sex stereotypes.

Yulo, after all, triumphed in a sport generally seen as feminine, whose women champions are more often heralded as iconic than their male counterparts. Meanwhile, it is not a stretch to say that you’d be in the hundreds when counting down the most influential boxers in history before coming up with a woman’s name.

Yulo and Petecio got their just due from the government, with the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) shelling out a cool million for each athlete as reward.

There is, however, the need to go beyond the cheering and the toasting when looking at the feats of Yulo and Petecio. Their victories in the world stage usher in new hope for the country as it hosts the Southeast Asian Games later this year and, more importantly, navigates its way to next year’s Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

Yulo and Petecio reinforce the change needed in our country’s national sports program, highlighting the need to funnel limited resources to focus sports.

PSC commissioner Ramon Fernandez is a staunch advocate of focus sports, disciplines where the Filipino athlete isn’t hamstrung by physical limitations like height and heft and can flourish on talent and hard work. Upon his appointment in 2016, Fernandez crafted a blueprint called “Change the Game,” which seeks to resuscitate Philippine sports.

 Among his plans was to focus on less popular sports where he believes the country has potential to succeed, such as open water swimming — for the Olympic event, known as marathon swimming —
given the country’s vast water bodies.

Sen. Manny Pacquiao also supports the idea of shifting focus to “weight-classed sports and other sports that does not give undue advantage to bigger and taller athletes.” Examples of weight-classed sports are boxing, taekwondo, judo, wrestling and weightlifting.

Filipino athletes can also excel in gymnastics, marathon, synchronized swimming, diving, cycling, shooting, archery, chess and other similar sports that require intelligence, balance, strength, flexibility, agility, coordination and endurance.

...the Pinoy Fighters in World Ratings

44 Pinoy Fighters in World Ratings


Teodoro Medina Reynoso
Philboxing.com
26 September 2019


Aside from the country's five currently reigning world champions led by Senator Manny Pacquiao, a total of forty four more Pinoy fighters are included in the latest rankings of the four major world boxing sanctioning bodies in ten out of eleven weight divisions from minimumweight to welterweight. 

Pacquiao and Nonito Donaire are super champions respectively in the welterweight and bantamweight divisions under the World Boxing Association (WBA) while Jerwin Ancajas and Pedro Taduran are regular champions in the super flyweight and the minimumweight classes respectively under the International Boxing Federation (IBF). Johnriel Casimero presently is the Interim world champion in the bantamweight class under the World Boxing Organization (WBO).

Manny Pacquiao

Nonito Donaire

John Riel Casimero

There are no current Pinoy titleholders in the World Boxing Council (WBC) although Pacquiao at 112, 130 and 135 lbs, Donaire at 118 and 122 lbs and Casimero at 108 and 112 lbs. once reigned as champions under the WBC.

Per sanctioning body, the WBO has the most number of rated Filipino fighters with a total of 22, followed by the IBF with 19, the WBC with 18 and the WBA with just 12.

Many of our top local fighters are in the ratings of more than one boxing bodies.

Highest rated are Robert Paradero, Edward Heno, Geimel Magramo, Michael Dasmarinas and Marlon Tapales who are all the top ranking contenders in the minimumweight (WBO), light flyweight (IBF), flyweight (WBO), bantamweight (IBF) and super bantamweight (WBO), respectively. 

Former champions Donnie Nietes and Vic Saludar are both ranked highest at fourth in super flyweight and minimumweight respectively by the WBC and the WBO while Milan Melindo is ranked ninth at light flyweight by the WBC.

The other Pinoy fighters include the following (highest rated by organization in parenthesis):

Minimumweight- Melvin Jerusalem (#2 WBC), Vic Saludar, Rey Loreto, ArAr Andales, Mark Anthony Barriga, Rene Cuarto, Joey Canoy, Lito Dante, John Marco Rementizo, Jonathan Refugio and Samuel Salva who was erstwhile number one at IBF but was beaten for the vacant title by Taduran.

Again, Paradero is ranked number one by WBO in this division.

Light Flyweight- Jonathan Taconing (#7 WBC), Melindo, Ivan Soriano, Mark Vicelles, Christian Bacolod, Randy Petalcorin and Jaysever Abcede. Christian Araneta was formerly the highest rated after Heno at number three by he was recently defeated in a title eliminator fight in Mexico hence his rating will likely fall.

Edward Heno is rated number one by WBO. at light flyweight.

Flyweight- Rene Baldonado (#8 WBA), Jayson Mama, JR Raquinel, Jobert Alvarez, Genesis Libranza and Alphoe Dagayloan.

Geimel Magramo is highest rated Pinoy flyweight at number one by WBO.

Super Flyweight- Donnie Nietes (#4, WBC and IBF), Aston Palicte, KJ Cataraja, Froilan Saludar and Jade Bornea.

Jerwin Ancajas is current IBF titlist.

Bantamweight- Reymart Gaballo (#4, WBA), Kenny Demecillo and Vincent Astrolabio.

Nonito Donaire is WBA super champion, Johnriel Casimero is interim IBF titlist and Michael Dasmarinas is IBF top and mandatory contender.
Super Bantamweight- Marlon Tapales and Albert Pagara are rated # 1 and 2 by WBO with Jeo Santissima rated sixth. Juan Miguel Elorde who lost in his recent title try fell out.

Featherweight- Former interim titlist Jhack Tepora is rated third by WBA while Mark Magsayo is eighth with WBC. Tapales is also rated at featherweight at #11 in the WBA. Conspicuously absent in the ratings is Genesis Servania.

Super Featherweight- Asian champion Joe Noynay is the lone rated Pinoy at number six with WBO.

Lightweight- Romero Duno is also the only rated Pinoy at number four with WBO.

No Pinoy is world rated at junior welterweight after Jheritz Chavez also fell out.

Manny Pacquiao is the lone Pinoy at welterweight and he holds the WBA super belt in the division.

Who among these rated Pinoy fighters will become world champion is worth watching out for next year.

...the Pacman vindication

Pacquiao wins unanimous decision vs Bradley to reclaim WBO title

By Bong Lozada, Mark Giongco
Agence France-Presse, Associated Press, INQUIRER.net

Sunday, April 13th, 2014

Manny Pacquiao of the Philippines acknowledges the crowd just after his unanimous decision victory over Timothy Bradley during their WBO World Welterweight championship boxing match, Saturday, April 12, 2014, at The MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. AP

LAS VEGAS/MANILA — Revenge was served, and it was cold.

 

Manny Pacquiao won a 12-round unanimous decision over Timothy Bradley on Saturday to avenge his controversial 2012 loss to the previously unbeaten American.

 

The Filipino ring icon improved to 56-5 with two drawn and 38 wins inside the distance as he regained the World Boxing Organization welterweight world title he lost to Bradley on June 9, 2012.

 

Although he couldn’t get his first knockout win since 2009, Pacquiao lived up to his pre-fight promise to come out with more aggression, denying Bradley’s avowed aim of sending him into retirement with another defeat.

“I think I can go another two years,” said Pacquiao, who has won world titles in an unprecedented eight weight divisions. “I’m so happy to be world champion again. Tim Bradley was not an easy fight.”

 

Bradley, who said he fought from the first round with a right calf injury, fell to 31-1, with 12 knockouts.

 

“Life goes on,” Bradley said of his first pro defeat. “It’s back to the gym. Not a big deal.”

 

“You won the fight, you deserved the win,” Bradley said. “I have no excuses.”

 

After a forgetful 2012, Pacquiao has now picked up two impressive wins in just five months following a dominant victory over Mexican-American Brandon Rios last November at the Venetian in Macau.

 

Scorecard

 

Judge Glen Trowbridge scored the bout 118-110 for Pacquiao, while both Michael Pernick and Canada’s Craig Metcalf saw it 116-112 for the ‘Pacman,’ whose every move was cheered by the star-studded crowd of 15,601 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.

 

“Bradley is better from the first fight,” Pacquiao said. “He hurt me on the chin. He made adjustments.

“I knew I had to do more this time than I did the last time,” he added.

 

Pacquiao landed 35 percent of his 563 punches, while Bradley connected with just 22 percent of his 627 blows. Pacquiao’s jab was much more effective, landing 23 percent to Bradley’s measly 11 percent, and the Pacman had a slight edge in landing 148 power punches to Bradley’s 109.

 

Round by round

 

Pacquiao’s performance righted one of the biggest perceived wrongs in recent boxing history. Pacquiao was an eight-division world champion on 15-fight winning streak when Bradley was awarded a split decision in their last bout.

 

Pacquiao was more aggressive and accurate from the opening minutes of the rematch, sticking to trainer Freddie Roach’s pleas to take the action to Bradley. They exchanged big shots in the opening rounds, but Pacquiao appeared to wear out Bradley with the heavy early pace — and the Pacman never slowed down.

 

Pacquiao landed a series of big left hands in the early rounds, knocking back Bradley with gusto.

 

Bradley responded impressively in the fourth round, wobbling Pacquiao twice with a right hand.

The pace slowed in the fifth, with Bradley showing off his defense and movement while Pacquiao attempted to trap him against the ropes.

 

Pacquiao appeared to wobble Bradley late in the seventh round with a vicious combination, but Bradley stood with his back against the ropes and defiantly encouraged it, blocking most of the shots.

 

Bradley appeared to pretend to have wobbly legs at one point after a Pacquiao miss, but his open mouth betrayed his weariness while Pacquiao steadily racked up rounds midway through the fight.

 

Bradley came on strong in the 12th, and the fighters’ heads collided late in the round. Pacquiao avoided any trouble until the final bell, when he did a short dance step to his corner.

 

Pacquiao finished the fight with a cut over his left eye. Roach said Pacquiao needed stitches to close the jagged cut.

 

Old ‘killer instinct’

 

Saturday’s victory showcased more of the old “killer instinct,” with Bradley saying it was clear that Pacquiao was “going for it”.

 

But Roach said Bradley’s unexpected strategy of seeking a big knockout blow of his own caught him and Pacquiao by surprise.

 

“He was swinging for the fences all night,” Roach said of Bradley, who said he thought it was the only way he could win the fight.

 

But as the pace slowed in the later rounds, Pacquiao dominated, putting together multi-punch combinations that kept Bradley off balance.

 

“I tried, I really tried,” said Bradley. “I wanted that knockout. I kept trying to throw something over the top, that’s what the plan was.”

 

But Bradley trainer Joel Diaz said he knew the plan had gone out the window when Bradley came to the corner after the first round saying he thought he had torn his right calf muscle.

 

Diaz tried massaging it, but Bradley told him to stop because it hurt.

 

“From that point on, I knew I didn’t have much to work with, because our plan was to dominate Pacquiao and we couldn’t do it,” Diaz said.

The injury was later diagnosed as a strain, and Bradley said he had “no excuses”.

 

“Manny is a great fighter, one of the best in the world maybe the best ever,” he said.

 

Before the rematch

 

While Bradley remains publicly confident he beat Pacquiao in their first bout despite fighting on two injured feet, that much-derided decision sent both fighters’ careers on wild spirals.

 

The two judges who scored the bout 115-113 for Bradley are no longer in the boxing business, but their decision ended Pacquiao’s 15-fight win streak and forced Bradley to defend himself against widespread criticism of the result.

Bradley endured death threats and depression before returning to the ring in unusually reckless style.

 

He brawled with Ruslan Provodnikov in March 2013 in a sensational unanimous-decision victory that silenced critics of his style and heart. Bradley then outpointed veteran Mexican champion Juan Manuel Marquez last fall, polishing his skills and making himself attractive to Pacquiao for a rematch.

 

Pacquiao was knocked unconscious by Marquez in the sixth round of their fourth fight in late 2012, and he took nearly a year off before returning for an unspectacular victory over Brandon Rios last fall. Pacquiao’s last two performances prompted Bradley to declare Pacquiao had lost his killer instinct, noting he was unable or unwilling to stop any of his opponents since late 2009.

Pacquiao’s next foe

Pacquiao’s next opponent could be the winner of the May 17 bout between Mike Alvarado and Marquez.

 

If Marquez wins, he could meet Pacquiao for the fifth time.

 

“I have no problem with fighting Marquez again, but that’s up to my promoter, Bob Arum,” Pacquiao said.

 

...The PacMan

Pacquiao dominates Rios, wins via unanimous decision

GMA News

November 24, 2013

 

 

He's still got it - Manny Pacquiao lands a right on his foe Brandon Rios. Tyrone Siu / Reuters

He's back.

In what could have been his swansong in boxing, Manny Pacquiao proved he still packs a mean punch, registering a unanimous decision victory against American Brandon Rios, Sunday at The Venetian Macau, claiming the WBO International Welterweight belt in the process.

Among the three judges, Michael Pernick scored it 120-108, while Lisa Giampa had it at 119-109. Manfred Kuchler gave Rios two rounds at 118-110.

It was total domination for Pacquiao, who pummeled Rios with a flurry of punches. He showed vastly greater hand speed than his opponent and landed blistering combinations that left Rios' right eye swollen and his left eye bleeding.

Though the Filipino was unable to score any knockdowns, he clearly frustrated his foe, who on several occasions swung at nothing but air as Pacquiao moved out of the way and returned fire before Rios could cover up.

Pacquiao landed 281-of-790 punches for 36 percent, while Rios connected with 138-of-502 punches thrown for 27 percent, according to CompuBox.

"Recovering from the knockout and giving a good show just like the young Manny Pacquiao," the Saranggani representative said after the win.

Pacquiao also shared that he was very careful this time around, avoiding a repeat of the result in his last loss against Juan Manuel Marquez:

"I'm very careful. I learned in the last fight."

[Review the fight, round-by-round]

After nearly a year away from the ring, the Filipino ring icon, who dedicated his win to victims of Super Typhoon Yolanda, showed he still has what it takes, as he took down the taller Rios.

"This isn't about my comeback," he insisted. "My victory is a symbol of my people's comeback from a natural disaster, a national tragedy. It's really important to bring honor to my country with this win."

The tone of the fight was set early and remained the same for all twelve rounds. Rios (31-2-1, 22 KOs) put his gloves high in front of his face in an attempt to block Pacquiao's blows, but the eight-time world champion threw so many punches that quite a few broke through to leave their marks on the American's face.

Showing deft footwork, Pacquiao would jab, turn swiftly to one side, land another punch and turn again.

On several occasions, one straight left would be followed by another, and then, having pierced Rios' defense, Pacquiao would open up with a barrage of four or five punches, to the delight of the more than 13,000 in attendance at the Cotai Arena in the Venetian Macao.

"All I can say is, many Manny punches," smiled Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach. "He fought the perfect fight. He let him off the hook. I wanted him to knock him out. But I was very happy with his performance."

Gracious Rios

Fight week had been marked by tension between the two fight camps, which culminated in Roach and members of the Rios team engaging in a scuffle on Wednesday morning but Rios was gracious in defeat.

"I got beaten by one of the best fighters in the world," he said. "He came with a game plan and he executed it. He's very fast and he throws punches from a lot of different angles. He's hard to fight against."

Pacquiao returned the compliments.

"My opponent was very tough," he said. "He is a strong fighter, and a tough fighter. Rios was not an easy opponent. He was one of the toughest opponents I've ever faced."

Following Pacquiao's December knockout against Marquez, there were questions over whether he could still compete at an elite level. Roach had hinted that defeat against Rios would be a reason for his fighter to retire. Victory, however, prompted a different response.

"This is still my time," said Pacquiao. "My time is not over."

Rios' trainer Robert Garcia agreed.

"Pacquiao still has it," he said. "He has quickness and great speed. He'll be around for a long time."

Hungry Pacquiao

Coming into the bout, Pacquiao described himself as hungry, following what was essentially a year away from boxing, after losing last December to arch-rival Juan Manuel Marquez via a sixth-round KO, and prior to that, a controversial split decision to Timothy Bradley.

That hunger manifested positively, as the Filipino congressman gave his Super Typhoon-struck countrymen something to cheer for.

Pacquiao dedicated his bout to the victims of Yolanda (international name Haiyan), and his fight was broadcast for free to security forces and aid workers, as well as the citizens, many homeless, of Tacloban.

It was not immediately known what Pacquiao's next bout would be, but it is possible that he will seek a rematch against Marquez, or see if Floyd Mayweather Jr. will finally rise up and face him, in a bout many boxing fans have long clamored for.

On the other hand, it is the second straight loss for 27-year-old Rios, who blazed into the limelight after registering 31 wins and a draw without a defeat, until losing his rematch against Mike Alvarado via unanimous decision last March for the Interim WBO Welterweight title.

It was Pacquiao's first fight outside the United States since winning at home against Oscar Larios in 2006. Celebrities were still on hand at The Venetian to witness the fight, including football superstar David Beckham, who was shown visiting Pacquiao right before the match. American Idol finalist Jessica Sanchez sang both the American and Philippine national anthems. — OMG/AMD/RAF, GMA News; with a report from Reuters by Kieran Mulvaney

 

 

...the featherweight showdown

This is PH's victory, says Donaire

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

 11/10/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Former world champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire dedicated his victory to the Philippines after stopping Armenian fighter Vic Darchinyan in the ninth round of their featherweight showdown Saturday in Corpus Christi, Texas (Sunday in Manila).

Fighting for the first time at the featherweight division, Donaire overcame a sluggish start and felled Darchinyan in the ninth round with his left hook, eventually forcing the referee to stop the fight after he unloaded several bombs on the wobbly Armenian.

“It wasn’t my win tonight, it was the Philippines’ win,” Donaire posted on his social media accounts following his victory. “We are strong and we have faith. Thank you Lord for keeping me safe, giving me a sound mind, helping me see what needed to be done.”

“Thank you to the Archangels and especially all the fans and Filipinos who watched despite the typhoon,” he added.

The Philippines is reeling from the effects of Super Typhoon Yolanda (international name: Haiyan), with authorities estimating that at least 10,000 people were killed in Leyte.

In an interview following his victory, Donaire had asked for prayers for his motherland.

"First and foremost, prayers to people in the Philippines who were hit by the typhoon," he said.

"Please have your prayers for people in the Philippines."

Even prior to the fight, Donaire said he was dedicating his performance to the Filipino people.

“Dedicating my fight to uplift the Filipinos’ spirits. Our indomitable spirit has been recognized worldwide,” he said. “Keep the faith, He will not abandon us in our time of need. Continued prayers for the earthquake and typhoon victims.”

Even so, Darchinyan came very close to avenging his 2007 loss to Donaire, taking control of the fight in the middle rounds and at the end of the fifth round, unleashing a flurry of punches on the Filipino, who was saved by the bell.

Donaire even admitted that he doubted himself at one point in the fight.

“When he hit me in the cheek, I felt like he broke my cheek, and I thought, ‘Is this it for me? I’m losing the fight. Should I keep going?’ But I put my heart into it, and you know what, I will never, ever quit,” he said.

Malacañang on Sunday commended Donaire and beauty queen Ariella Arida for bringing pride to the Philippines during these trying times.

“We extend our congratulations to Ms. Arida and the Filipino Flash. We appreciate their efforts to bring a bt of smile to Filipinos who are going through so much,” said deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte on radio dzRB on Sunday.

Arida had finished third-runner up in the 2013 Miss Universe pageant, a feat which she also dedicated to her countrymen.

 

...the medalists in China boxing tilt

PHILIPPINES WIN FOUR MEDALS IN CHINA BOXING OPEN


By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 23 Jun 2013



Petecio.
 
The Philippine boxing team sent by the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (ABAP) and PLDT won four medals in the highly-competitive China Open in Guiyang, China.

Nesthy Petecio saved the ABAP team from coming home without a gold. She won a convincing victory over Alexis Pritchard of New Zealand in the finals by a 3-0 verdict for a unanimous decision in the 60-kg. category.

Petecio was only 5'3" while Pritchard stood at 5'11". But the 21-year-old female boxer from Davao finally connected her punches after several misses and delivered uppercuts and hooks to the head and body of the Kiwi boxer.

World champion Josie Gabuco failed in her bid to secure a gold when the much-improved Xu Shiqui of China exacted revenge on the Filipina to win by a 3-0 verdict. The Palawan boxer defeated Xu during the world championships last year. Gabuco scored an upset over three-time world champion and 2012 London Olympics silver medalist Ren Cancan in the semi-finals but settled for a silver medal.

Junel Cantancio lost to Viacheslav Supinov of Russia 0-3 and won another silver medal. He gave several punches to his nemesis but the power-punching Russia proved to be more dominant.

Earlier in the semi-finals, London Olympian Mark Anthony Barriga gave the Philippines a bronze medal. He bowed to Guiyang native Wo Zhunglin on a 0-3 decision. He injured his thumb in an uppercut during the fight and had to be taken to the hospital.

ABAP president Ricky Vargas sent a message commending the team of their achievement, saying he is “proud of our boxers’ achievements in a tough tournament such as the China Open.”

ABAP executive director Ed Picson commented after Barriga's loss that our boxers have yet to adjust to the new a scoring system. “They need to know how to adjust their game to the system. We had a lengthy meeting after the fights this afternoon with the coaches and boxers to explain to them in more detail what they need to do to take advantage of the new rule”, said Picson.

The host country China won the overall championship with seven golds, followed by Kazakhstan and Russia with two each then the Philippines and Mongolia with one apiece. New Zealand got two silvers while India had one. Only Mauritius failed to obtain a medal.

Other PLDT-ABAP team members who failed to win a medal were Roldan Boncales (flyweight), Nico Magliquian (bantamweight) and Dennis Galvan (light welterweight). The coaches were Pat Gaspi, Roel Velasco and Elias Recaido Jr.

Ed Picson was the delegation head while the women had AIBA international technical official (ITO) Karina Picson as team manager.

...the ESPN's best little boxer

ESPN names Donaire top 'little guy' in boxing

 

ABS-CBNnews.com

04/04/2013

 

 

MANILA, Philippines – Not only is Nonito Donaire Jr. considered a heavy favorite going to the unification title match against Guillermo Rigondeaux, he is also hailed by ESPN as the best “little boxer” fighting 130 pounds and below.

 

 

 

 

The list compiled by ESPN’s Brian Campbell showed Donaire ahead of WBA super bantamweight champion Rigondeaux, WBA junior flyweight champion Roman Gonzalez, WBO and Ring Magazine featherweight king Mikey Garcia and WBC super bantamweight title holder Abner Mares.

“Donaire's not only the class of this list... he should be the top 3 pound-for-pound fighter in the whole sport, winning ESPN.com top fighter of the year,” Campbell said in ESPN’s Making the Rounds.

But Campbell believes Donaire will have a difficult assignment in Rigondeaux when the two boxers square off in the historic Radio City Music Hall in New York City.

“He's got a tough test against the Number 2 man Guillermo Rigondeaux, whom he'll fight on April 13,” he said.

Donaire, a four-division champion and current WBO super bantamweight title holder, is ranked No. 5 in Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list.

 

...the Asian Youth Boxing Champions

FOUR FILIPINO BOXERS WIN GOLD IN ASIAN YOUTH BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 17 Mar 2013



Four talented and courageous young Filipinos won gold medals in the Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships at the Subic Freeport on Saturday providing a boost to the grassroots development program initiated by the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines headed by its president Ricky Vargas and the eminent businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan as chairman.

Light flyweight Jade Bornea, light welterweight Eumir Felix Marcial, flyweight Ian Clark Bautista and lightweight James Palicte fulfilled the expectations of the ABAP leaders and executive director Ed Picson with the finest showing of the country in years.

The support from hometown fans certainly lifted the spirits of the young fighters and gave them an advantage especially in close fights.

A bronze medalist in the World Youth Championship in Armenia last December light flyweight Bornea defeated Shatlykmyrat Myradov of Tukmenistan, 17-10, in their 49-kilogram semifinal bout but had a much tougher time against Japan’s Kosei Tanaka before taking the country’s first gold 15-13.

The score was tied at 8-8 going into the final round before Bornea with a solid left followed by a right which jolted Tanaka emerged winner 7-5 to edge the game Japanese.

Ian Clark Bautista won the flyweight gold with a 19-10 win over Uzbekistan’s tough Mirazizbek Murzahalilov after coasting to a 6-3 lead in the opening round marked by a cracking left hook and a right straight. A counter left by Bautista in the second round staggered the Uzbek fighter who was unable to penetrate the solid defense of the Filipino.

Lightweight James Palicte took the first round by a close 5-4 margin against China’s Liu Xiaoshuaichn and held on to that lead 10-9 at the end of the second due mainly to a terrific uppercut that stunned the Chinese boxer who kept pressing the action. Another solid uppercut by Palicte sealed a 17-13 win although the final score was no indication of the closeness of the bout.

The fourth and final gold medal of the Philippines was won by Eumir Felix Marcial who put on the most impressive performance by the Filipinos beating Mongolia’s Batzorig Otgonjorgal by a runaway 29-12 margin.

The switch-hitting Marcial, the reigning World Junior Champion who is a power puncher battered his opponent from the opening bell to take a 11-5 lead at the end of round one nailing the Mongolian with a vicious left straight and a solid combination.

Marcial kept up the pressure in a second round slugfest with some big shots to move ahead 22-11 before coasting in the final round for the big win that won the hearts of fight fans.

Amateur Boxing Association president and former Philippine Boxing Association chairman Ricky Vargas was ecstatic over the performance of the youth squad as he said “while we cheer for every boxer we reserved even louder cheers for the ABAP team that has been working hard for an efficient and properly run tournament.”

ABAP chairman Manny Pangilinan was overjoyed over the boxers showing and texted the Manila Standard saying “Congrats to ABAP. Mabuhay ang Pinoy boxers. Go ABAP!”

 

...the 2012 Fighter of the Year

US boxing scribes hail Donaire as Fighter of the Year

 

By Dino Maragay

philstar.com

January 28, 2013

 

 

Nonito Donaire Jr.

MANILA, Philippines – WBO super bantamweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. has been named the 2012 Fighter of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

Donaire clinched the award on strength of a spectacular year wherein he fought and won four times against high-caliber opponents. He decisioned Wilfredo Vazquez in February last year, outpointed Jeffrey Mathebula in July, stopped Toshiaki Nishioka in October, then finally retired Mexican Jorge Arce in December.

This marks the fourth time in the last seven years that a Filipino boxer has won the award – also called the Sugar Ray Robinson award – with boxing icon Manny Pacquiao achieving the feat in 2006, 2008 and 2009.

Donaire plans to sustain the momentum brought by a stellar 2012 by eyeing more marquee fights this year. He is reportedly eyeing a bout against either WBC super bantamweight champion Abner Mares or WBA super bantamweight titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux.

Donaire is targeting to return to the ring by April.

Meanwhile, for his exemplary corner work on Donaire and fellow title holders Mikey Garcia and Brandon Rios, trainer Robert Garcia was hailed as the BWAA’s Trainer of the Year.

The BWAA also recognized the fourth fight between Pacquiao and rival Juan Manuel Marquez last December as its 2012 Fight of the Year. In the action-packed bout that saw vicious exchanges and several knockdowns, Marquez knocked Pacquiao out cold in the sixth round to cap off their storied rivalry.

 

Pacquiao and Marquez might meet for a fifth time this September.

Other BWAA awardees include Al Haymon (Manager of the Year), HBO boxing panelist Max Kellerman (Excellence in Boxing Journalism), middleweight Danny Jacobs (Courage in Overcoming Adversity), promoter Kathy Duva and matchmaker Bruce Tampler (Barney Nagler awar for “Long and Meritorious Service” in boxing), Showtime broadcaster Steve Farhood (Marvin Kohn "Good Guy" award), Dave Kindred (Nat Fleischer award for "Excellence in Boxing Journalism") and Peter Finney (A.J. Liebling award for "Outstanding Boxing Writing").

The BWAA said it will fete the awardees in a banquet in New York this spring.

...the Filipino Flash

Donaire KOs Arce in 3rd round

By Mark Giongco
Agence France-Presse, INQUIRER.net

Sunday, December 16th, 2012

Nonito Donaire, left, hits Jorge Arce during their WBO junior featherweight title boxing match Saturday, Dec. 15, 2012, in Houston. Donaire knocked Arce out in the third round. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

MANILA, Philippines – Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. vowed a knockout win and he delivered Sunday (Manila time).

Donaire (31-1, 20 KOs) floored Mexican warrior Jorge Arce (61-7-2, 46 KOs) with a counter left hook as the referee stopped the fight at the 2:59 mark of the third round. The pro-Arce crowd at the Toyota Center in Houston Texas was left stunned.

The 30-year-old Donaire, who retained his WBO super bantamweight title, dropped Arce for the first time in the second round with a short right hand but the Mexican was able to get back to his feet.

Arce showed fight in round three as he was able to close the distance to land blows to the body but that was it as Donaire outclassed him.

Donaire, who was greeted with a chorus of boos on his way to the ring, chalked up his fourth win this year alone and his 30th straight victory overall.

Both fighters sized each other up in the opening round with Donaire getting his points with his crisp jabs.
“I went out and pretty much timed him,” Donaire said. “We wanted to slow him down and get him thinking he could get in there. We knew he would open up.”

“I’ve never really gone and hit with the left hook, but I knew I was going to go out there and give it everything, no matter what.”

Donaire improved to 31-1 with his 20th career knockout. He has not lost since the second fight of his career back in 2001.

The victory brought some joy for Filipino fight fans still stunned at Manny Pacquiao’s knockout loss a week ago to Mexico’s Juan Manuel Marquez.

“There were a lot of fans who were like, ‘You have got to get him. This is for the Philippines.’ I hope they can be proud of what I did,” Donaire said.

Arce, 33, fell to 61-7 with two drawn bouts, in what he said was the final fight of his career.

“My career is over. I’m leaving after losing to the best man,” Arce said. “He is very good. He has power. He can finish the fight at any moment.

“I promised my family if I lost I would leave. I retire to go home and watch the fights on TV.”

Donaire scored a knockdown of Arce with a powerful straight right hand about a minute into the second round, forcing the challenger to touch his gloves and a knee to the canvas.

Donaire, 30, again knocked Arce to the canvas with a pair of left hooks late in the second round and, in the third, landed the knockout blow to end it.
“I got him with a straight right and the counter hook came in after that,” Donaire said.

Donaire had beaten South African Jeffrey Mathebula last July and Japan’s Toshiaki Nishioka in October in prior title defenses after taking the vacant crown with a split decision last February over Puerto Rico’s Wilfredo Vazquez.

Arce had nine wins and a draw since last being beaten, by South African Simphiwe Nongqayi in 2009.

...the tribute of Bob Arum

Arum pays tribute to Filipino boxers

 

 

Filipino Boxers

November 19, 2012

By: Bert Eljera

Examiner.com

 

 

 

 

Bob Arum and his prized boxers, Manny Pacquiao, seated left, and Juan Manuel Marquez, at podium. The two fight again on Dec. 8 in Las Vegas. Credits: Getty Images

          

"So they're becoming one of the most important countries for boxing in the entire world..." - Bob Arum, Top Rank


Bob Arum of Top Rank, considered the world's top boxing promoter, has praised the Philippines as the leading producer of the best boxers in the world today.

"So they're becoming one of the most important countries for boxing in the entire world," Arum said, commenting on a forthcoming bout featuring Filipino Manny Pacquiao and Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.

On the same fight card of Pacquiao-Marquez IV on Dec. 8 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas are two other rising Filipino boxers - Michael Farenas and Mercito Gesta.

Farenas, who has won seven of his last eight bouts, will go up against former featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa (21-0, 16 knockouts).

The 28-year old Farenas, a southpaw, and two years younger than Gamboa, has 34 wins, 26 by knockouts, three draws and four loses.

Gesta, an undefeated southpaw, fights Miguel Vazquez of Mexico, the lightweight titleholder.
The lineup also includes a clash of unbeaten featherweights Javier Fortuna and Patrick Hyland.

"It's going to be a great night for the Filipino boxing fans, not only with Pacquiao, but now, with Gesta and Farenas," Arum told Ringtv.com.

Arum's praise for Filipino boxers is self-congratulatory, in a sense. His other Filipino boxer, Filipino-American junior featherweight champion Nonito Donaire, is making an HBO-televised Dec. 15 defense against Jorge Arce.

He has been successful in promoting Filipino and Filipino-American boxers and is a familiar figure in Manila and among Filipino newsmen and boxing fans.

The Pacquiao-Marquez Dec. 8 fight is the fourth encounter between the two boxers.

In November, Pacquiao (54-4-2, 38 KOs) won an unpopular and disputed majority decision over Marquez (54-6-1, 39 KOs).

They also have fought to a draw and Pacquiao a won a split-decision over Marquez that Marquez' camp claimed they have won. All fights have been close and could have gone either way.

It will be Pacquiao's first bout since losing a controversial split-decision to Tim Bradley to lose his WBO welterweight crown in June.