Breaking Through in 2006

Breaking through. This was hands-down the major accomplishment of Cebu Boxing in the year 2006. No, Cebu still doesn't have a world champion to follow the exploits of Manny Pacquiao. But should a boxer out of the Cebu boxing family become a world champ in the next two years, he'll surely look back to 2006 as the year that gave him that stepping stone to big time.

In 2006, Cebu's boxing "industry" not only made inroads in the local setting (as this is already a given); it followed the footsteps of one of Cebu's biggest income earners: the export industry. Our boxers and boxing gyms are now becoming regulars in the international boxing scene, proudly showing off their stuff in front of a worldwide boxing audience. Never before has the local boxing family seen so many boxers train and participate in fights abroad, all the way from the United States to Japan, Russia, France and our neighboring ASEAN countries.

2006 will mark the year when Cebu's recognized boxing stables struck fight contracts with U.S.-based promoters, a first in Philippine boxing history. While it was common for American promoters to tap one or two topnotch Pinoy or Cebuano boxers in the past, they never did it in bunches. But today's scene is different as we're now seeing a total package approach, involving more than just one boxer and extending to more than just simple one-fight contracts.

Easily the biggest name to arrive on local shores was Oscar de la Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions (GBP). After seeing the raw talent and potential of Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista and Z Gorres as they, GBP forged a tie-up with the ALA Boxing Gym's managers to sign them up. In a span of less than a year, Gorres is due to challenge World Boxing Organization (WBO) super flyweight champion Fernando Montiel for the championship, while Bautista could be doing the same against champion Daniel Ponce de Leon for the WBO super bantamweight title in March 2007.

Also signing up with GBP is the comebacking Gerry Peñalosa and Jimrex Jaca. Peñalosa has been impressive in turning back the clock in his comeback bid, and could be challenging for Johnny Gonzales' WBO bantamweight title also in March. Jaca is fresh from a loss to Juan Manuel Marquez for the WBO featherweight title, but despite the loss, has also been signed up by GBP.

On deck to join the ALA Gym's sojourn into the U.S. is AJ "Bazooka" Banal who is set to start training with Freddie Roach in January 2007. I'm also certain that other young upstarts at the ALA Gym are breaking their backs to prove that they too, deserve a trip to the U.S. Along Denoy has already fought in the U.S. once while Donnie Nietes and Mark Jason Melliguen could be due up soon.

While any U.S. campaign will always get the attention of local boxing fans, we must also cite that the Japan market that has always been there is in fact very much alive and kicking, and giving our boxers more opportunities to get that much-needed exposure and income. Regulars there are OPBF bantamweight champion Malcolm Tuñacao and ex-OPBF minimumweight champ Rodel Mayol who are now under the wings of their Japanese manager Yasuo Matsuoka. OPBF lightweight champion Randy Suico challenged for the WBA lightweight championship in the U.S. and continues to fight in Japan under Joe Koizumi and Akihiko Honda's Teiken Promotions. There are reports that ex-OPBF welterweight champ Rev Santillan is also due up for another fight in February 2007.

And there's more: Dondon Sultan won the WBF welterweight lightweight title in Singapore last month, and has also fought in Russia, Japan, Thailand and Indonesia. Michael Domingo, who went to France to go for the WBF bantamweight championship, has fought in Indonesia and is due to fight in Japan next month. Among those who have been to Japan this year include Rocky Fuentes, Luoie Bantigue and Rollen del Castillo.

Amidst all these, there's also the sad part about Cebu Boxing's export industry. We also have boxers whose mere purpose to fight abroad is to earn the quick buck and to serve as punching bags or ready losers each time they go up the ring. They're not there to show off the best of what we have and end up ruining themselves instead. They surely don't deserve the same attention and support that we ought to be giving those who make us proud.

Many people might think that all of this is just happening overnight along with all the buzz that goes with Manny Pacquiao. But the "highs" that Cebu Boxing is experiencing right now wouldn't have been possible if Cebu did not have a youth and grassroots' "based program that has been in place since over a decade ago (maybe even longer). What we see today are the fruits of a long-term program that started out with youngsters trying out boxing more for fun than competition per see. From this lot, the potential world-beaters were discovered, trained and nurtured to become what they are today.

It's just a matter of time before Cebu Boxing will reach its ultimate goal of a world championship: the breakthrough of all breakthroughs.

Breaking through in 2006 has been that must-have first step to get there.

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Time-out: In behalf of my family, we wish you all a Blessed Christmas! May we all learn to love, know and serve our Lord even more this Christmas! >>> You can reach me at [email protected].