Golden Opportunity

Unprecedented, timely and deserving. These were the first three words that came to my mind when I read about Golden Boy Promotions of Oscar de la Hoya tying up with the ALA Gym to manage the careers of Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Z Gorres. We also couldn't help but feel proud and happy for the Cebu boxing family and more specifically the ALA boxing program that has been knocking on the doors of the U.S. boxing scene since the 90s. Well, it sure looks like Cebu Boxing has finally been spotted on the radars of the U.S.-based promoters.

But while words of praise, kudos and cheers of "good job" are the order of the day, we'll also need to face the reality that it's not exactly the time to celebrate. As we rejoice and whoop it up over this big achievement in Cebu boxing history, it's also important to stop the celebration just as quickly, and get back to work. Sorry for being a killjoy, but it's time to roll up our sleeves & get back to the gym asap!

There's a need for all of us boxing fans to put everything in the proper perspective if we want Gorres and Bautista to reach their ultimate goals of winning a world championship.

The tie-up between Golden Boy Promotions and ALA should never be seen and treated as an end in itself. It shouldn't be viewed as if a major championship was won and it's time to celebrate and call for a fiesta. On the contrary, the partnership is a mere stepping stone; a starting point towards a bigger and more grandiose goal that lies up ahead. For Gorres and Bautista, this should signal a new phase in their lives where everything will have to be elevated to a higher level. There's no looking back from here as gone are the "easy days" of Philippine boxing. It's showtime and they need to be prepared for everything that will come with the territory. The pressures of top caliber boxing will now become their new environment. These will include the spotlights of Vegas and L.A., no patsies as opponents and the pressure to follow the footsteps of a boxer named Manny.

They'll have to train with a genuine desire to become better boxers as the fights roll along. Tony Aldeguer, Freddie Roach, Edito "Ala" Villamor and both boxers know their weaknesses and improvement areas, and will have to work religiously to overcome all these while in the gym and on top of the ring. Gorres and Bautista will also have to prove to Golden Boy that they didn't make a mistake in signing them up as their first Pinoy boxers.

On the local front, there are some boxing analysts who aren't completely sold on the potential of both boxers. Some have said that it's too early to call Bautista a hero while there are other comments that the ALA Gym is a producer of press release champs more than anything else. And the only way to make them eat their words is for Rey and Z to work their butts off, win matches and go as far as they can.

With Manny Pacquiao putting a foot into the door of U.S. boxing, it sure looks like the door is slowly but surely opening up. The ALA-Golden Boy tie-up could very well be the start of more golden opportunities to come. But this will happen if everyone involved in this "project" plays his role. While Gorres and Bautista have taken that leap into a crucial phase of their careers, the ball must keep rolling right here where they came from.

Pacquiao's success has paved the way for Pinoy boxing to step up and Cebu Boxing stands to benefit the most out of this. We have the biggest base of young quality boxers in the country and all of them will surely be inspired by the feats for their older boxing colleagues. They, too, will surely train harder, fully aware that somewhere down the road, they'll have a shot at following the footsteps of the ALA Boys. Czar Amonsot and Jimrex Jaca have already made their U.S. debuts. From the Japan front, waiting patiently on the wings for a crack at world championship and exposure in Vegas are Malcolm Tuñacao & Rodel Mayol. I'm also certain that Wakee Salud must be thinking about a U.S. stint for Yuka Gejon.

Cebu Boxing also takes one more crucial step above its current status in the country's boxing scene. We will hopefully gain more respect and admiration from the rest of the country (and Asia) as we pave the way for more opportunities that may come our way.

Golden opportunities are precisely that: golden. We have always boasted that Cebu has the best boxers in the Philippines. It's time to confirm it, prove it & announce it to the whole world!

* * *

Time-out: March 19 is the feast day of St. Joseph. You can always count on him to be your model as father of a family. >>> You can reach us at http://bleachertalk.blogspot.com or [email protected].