Wishing for more Pinoy world champs

GAB chairman Atty. Francisco Rivera’s wish for the New Year is the ascension of more Filipino world boxing champions and from all indications, it may come true. Right now, the Philippines has two reigning belt-holders, both in the 105-pound minimumweight division, WBC’s Melvin Jerusalem and IBF’s Pedro Taduran.

At the moment, there are four Filipinos lined up for mandatory cracks at the world title as No. 1 contenders – WBO superfeatherweight Charly Suarez, IBF lightflyweight Christian Araneta, WBO lightflyweight Regie Suganob and WBO minimumweight Vic Saludar. Ranked No. 2 a whiff away from a championship shot are WBC superfeatherweight Mark Magsayo, WBC superbantamweight Marlon Tapales, WBO superbantamweight Carl Jammes Martin and WBA lightflyweight Arvin Paciones.

There is talk that former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao is gearing to challenge WBC welterweight ruler Mario Barrios, a six-foot Texan of Mexican descent, in July. Barrios, 29, beat Cuba’s Yordenis Ugas on points to claim the vacant WBC interim welterweight crown in Las Vegas in 2023 and was later elevated to championship status. Last November, he was held to a split 12-round draw by Abel Ramos to barely retain the throne in Texas. Pacquiao, 46, hasn’t engaged in a regular fight since losing his WBA welterweight title to Ugas in 2021 although he did a pair of exhibitions with DK Yoo in Korea in 2022 and Rukiya Anpo in Japan last July.

MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons, however, doused talk of a Pacquiao comeback. “No clue, no idea, nothing true right now about Barrios or Jimuel (Pacquiao’s son) on the undercard,” he said. “This happening, that happening about Jimuel turning pro. All I can tell you is Manny’s running for senator, I know that’s for sure.”

Gibbons plans to fly to Manila this week to confer with Pacquiao on preparations for staging the Golden Anniversary of the Thrilla In Manila, tentatively on Oct. 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. He also intends to take up the possibility of Pacquiao’s weekly TV show “Blow By Blow” hosting Taduran’s IBF title defense against countryman Ar-Ar Andales who recently defeated former world titlist Rene Mark Cuarto.

“My wish is for the country to have more world champions,” said Rivera, a CPA lawyer who was sworn in as GAB chairman last June. “Our focus is to bring in more science in boxing, particularly in areas such as sports nutrition and conditioning. GAB held a seminar last year where the invited speakers talked about nutrition and conditioning. We are planning to have more of the same this year.”

Rivera and GAB commissioner Angel Bautista represented the country at the WBC Convention in Hamburg last month. Among the Filipinos who attended were Johnny and Liza Elorde, WBC ratings committee member Mig Elorde, Jerusalem and boxing judge Rey Danseco.