Fight fans

I feel old when I would write about my early years as a sportswriter, but we must remember that history teaches us a lot and the future is very much dependent on what happened in the past.

During the years when big-time boxing promotions did not happen very often and seeing foreigners fight in our turf was something quite rare, Cebuano fight fans would always relish the opportunity to see our boxers go up the ring against fighters from abroad.

Even seeing our fighters clobber the patsies that were fed to them was already something. You will hear the fans complain, but the same people who complained would be there the next boxing promotion.

Pleasing the Cebuano fight fans is one of the hardest to do. In fact, Tony Aldeguer, Cebu’s foremost boxing patron, once told me that his fighters don’t like to fight at the Cebu Coliseum, because of the pressure from the audience.

The last time I watched a boxing bout at the Cebu Coliseum was a few years ago featuring AJ Banal in the main event.

I am not sure if we have the same crowd now compared to that of the late 1980s and the early 1990s.

One thing is however definite, Cebu’s fight fans know boxing and cannot be fooled to watch promotions that are not worth the money they pay for.

This is the reason behind the success of the Pinoy Pride Series of ALA Boxing Promotions.

The series has not only given many Filipino boxers a chance to fight foreign rivals, but it has also been consistent in offering top-rate entertainment.

This Saturday, it will be Pinoy Pride XI at the Pacific Ballroom of Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino pitting Milan ‘El Metodico’ Melindo against Mexico’s Juan ‘Panterita’ Esquer in the main event.

See you there!

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One thing that I learned from my judo coach Leonardo ‘Jojo’ Roa, Jr. is that the hardest part about being a champion is not becoming one, but maintaining your status as such.

When you become the champion, he explained, many people would be after your title so you need to work doubly hard in order to prepare for the next tournament.

But nobody starts as a champion so you need to work hard to become one first. During my first national tournament, I was immediately pitted against a member of the national team.

When I looked at my coach to seek guidance, he just told me, go there and play, the pressure is not upon you but on your opponent. I lost to match due to the superior skills of my foe, but then what if I had surprised him with a move that had beaten him? 

Going up against foes, who have trained well and worked hard to be the best would encourage you to work harder yourself. This is a lesson I’d like to share with the runners, who complain about the Kenyans joining the local races.

Beating them is a good incentive to train harder and stop complaining. You use your feet to run and not your mouths.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to my mistah Remigio Arque, Lt. Col. Ernesto Torres, Jr., and Cheryl Aya-ay, who are all turning a year older today.

Advance greetings go to Cavalier Ashley Acedillo and Sheila Nimer-Micarandayo, who are celebrating tomorrow.

Happy anniversary greetings go to the 2nd Air Division of the Philippine Air Force, which is based at the Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base.

More power to all of you! - THE FREEMAN