Cebu Boxing in 2005

Cebu has always been proud of being the hotbed of boxing in the Philippines, and we've proven it once again in 2005. With the year of boxing basically done save for a few more fights, it is certain that another year will end without a world champion from Cebu Boxing. However, there are still many highlights worth citing.

While we may not have a world champion now, we have eight regional champions in Rodel Mayol (OPBF minimumweight champion), Malcolm Tuñacao (OPBF bantamweight champion), Randy Suico (OPBF super featherweight) and Rev Santillan (OPBF welterweight). Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista is the WBO Asia-Pacific bantamweight champ while Caesar Amonsot holds the WBO Asia-Pacific super featherweight belt. Bert Batawang is the WBA Pan Africa light flyweight champ and Dindo Castañares is the WBF super lightweight champion. Although the WBF considers Dindo as a world champ, I still feel the value of his belt is at the level of the OPBF and WBO Asia Pacific organizations. A boxer who doesn't hold a regional title but deserves to be part of this list is Yuka Gejon who's ranked # 3 by the WBA in the minimumweight division.

On the local front, Cebu Boxing will end the year with six Philippine champions in Elmer Gejon (minimumweight), Federico Catubay (flyweight), Michael Domingo (bantamweight), Jimrex Jaca (super featherweight), Bart Abapo (super lightweight), and Dondon Sultan (welterweight).

Who among all of them could be Cebu's next world champ? Of the group, Mayol and Tuñacao look like they're on the verge of getting that elusive crack at a world title fight in 2006, thanks to career developments in 2005. After being relatively quiet, both are now back on "active" status with a new management team. Mayol has been the victim of the politics and delaying tactics that hound boxing as his "promised" shot at a world title had been delayed repeatedly. He's aching to prove that he should be up there with a belt when he faces WBC # 2 Lorenzo Trejo next month, with the winner challenging current WBC champ Katsunari Takayama. Meanwhile, Tuñacao recently won his OPBF title and is already set to defend this next month. If he successfully defends his title at least twice in 2006, he'll most likely get a shot at WBC champ Hozumi Hasegawa.

The whole nation has gone ga-ga over Boom Boom Bautista, but don't be surprised if he doesn't go for a world title in 2006. There's a need to be patient with Rey since he still has a lot to learn. After all, he's only 19 years old. This is where his venture to the United States will play a crucial role in defining his career. Phase 1 of his career is over, and it's time to switch to high gear. He'll be entering the second phase of his career that should be filled with tough fights against Mexicans or Latin Americans. Should he hurdle all these and improve his stock, he'll be ripe for a title fight in 2007.

Gejon's controversial loss to Yutaka Niida in a title challenge was a bitter pill to swallow, but he'll have to realize that these things happen. He'll just have to work harder in the gym as he prepares for the rematch that has reportedly been approved and endorsed by the WBA. Yuka must settle the matter once and for all, and go for a knock-out or a lopsided win that would be impossible to give to Niida.

While Mayol, Tuñacao, Bautista and Gejon are warming up on deck to follow the footsteps of Manny Pacquiao, Suico, Santillan and Gorres are boxers who are neither here nor there on the road to a world title. Suico lost his last bout and has been "demoted" to #11 by the WBC. He has to take his boxing to a higher level by growing to become an all-around boxer more than just a plain slugger. The irony is that he has the tools and skills to become one but all these suddenly disappear when he's on top of the ring.

I was really happy to hear the news when Santillan recently regained his OPBF welterweight title. Nobody wants to see sad endings for the "Gentle Giant." Since he may not be realistically at the same level as the world's top welterweights, he'll be better off earning a lot of money by making a living in the OPBF scene. Gorres has been maligned by the press as being overrated and as someone who shouldn't be considered a world beater. The big city journalists may have a point after Z's mediocre performance against Deeden Kengkarun. But Gorres' real worth will come out as he embarks on a U.S. stint beside stablemates Bautista and Amonsot.

The other of Cebu's best like Castañares, Batawang, Abapo, Wyndel Janiola, Elmer Gejon, Sultan, Catubay and Jaca will be busy trying to shift their careers to high gear, but it looks like they'll be busier with fights that will serve as a source of livelihood more than anything else.

Other highlights worth mentioning about Cebu boxing include the sell-out crowds that have filled the Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu Sports Complexes. And how can one forget Bautista's performance in Bohol's biggest boxing card in history? Cebu Boxing is definitely alive, kicking and out to reach new heights.

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Time-out: Bleacher Talk congratulates Team Philippines for winning the over-all championship of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games. "Ipakita sa mundo kung ano ang kaya mo. Ibang-iba ang Pinoy! " You can reach me at [email protected].