Wishes for Boxing in 2016

With 2015 setting records and historical “firsts,” we can’t help but drool at what’s in store for us in 2016. We’re certain to see a bigger, brighter and record-breaking year for Cebu Boxing.

It all starts at the top with our record-setting world champion. We would like to see WBO light flyweight world champion Donnie Nietes extend his record as the longest reigning Filipino world champion. He’s due to defend his world title soon with Moises Fuentes as a possible opponent for a Nietes-Fuentes trilogy. While a showdown with world flyweight Roman Gonzales is looming in the horizon, Donnie has many other options which will keep him busy at the light flyweight division. We also have other prospects on deck but there’s no need to rush them into world title fights in 2016. Albert Pagara, Jason Pagara, Mark Magasayo and Marlon Tapales are all lined up, but it looks like Tapales will get that first shot after winning a world title eliminator fight last month in Japan. He is now the mandatory challenger to WBO world bantamweight champion Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand, the same boxer who defeated AJ Banal in 2012. The Pagara brothers, Magsayo, along with Milan Melindo and Arthur Villanueva will keep themselves busy with confidence-building and litmus test fights to see if they’re ready for that big fight. No need to take unnecessary risks here. Vic Saludar, who lost in a WBO world minimumweight title fight via a sixth round KO to Kosei Tanaka on New Year’s Eve in a fight where he was leading on all scorecards, deserves a second look and should be primed in 2016. KJ Cataraja will also be brought up slowly but surely with fights that will build his stock.

Meanwhile, Pinoy Pride will surely go back to the United States after a successful maiden event in 2015. I’m pretty sure there will also be talks about events to be held in Dubai again. My “worry” is that there may be fewer Pinoy Pride events in the Philippines, but I’m sure we’ll still have our share, starting with Pinoy Pride 35 next month in Cebu. This trail-blazing phenomenon will further establish ALA Promotions and ABS-CBN as the premier boxing partners in the country. It has already set the pace for other boxing promoters and media partners all over the country to follow suit with their respective events. The more boxing, the better for the sport.

On the local front, I’d like to see the other Cebu-based promoters and managers also step up with their activities since there are so many other talents out there waiting for big breaks. Already working together in a loose way are the boxing gyms of IPI, Mike Boxing/Team Joeric, Big Yellow and Steve Tan. I’d like to see them form a boxing consortium or partnership that can implement a calendar of boxing events that can get the much-needed support of sponsors and even a TV partner. With proper match-making, marketing and drawing of a niche crowd, I’m sure there is still more room for boxing promoters to flourish. Already going around the province is ALA’s developmental promotions arm “Boxing Best Promotions” which stages boxing events for up-and-coming boxers almost every month. On another front, the partnership of Wakee Salud and Naris Singwancha will also be there with their regular set of boxing events.

But Cebu Boxing 2015 hasn’t been all about boxers, promoters and TV partners. Cebu’s boxing officials quietly stood out in 2015 and will stand out even more in 2016. They’ll continue to take their trade overseas to places like China, Macau and Japan for WBO, OPBF and China boxing cards; and all over Asia for mixed martial arts at One Championship events. These officials are Salven Lagumbay, Dr. Rene Bonsubre, Romar Embodo, Eduardo Gastador, Arnie Najera, Tony Pesons, Edgar Olalo, Edward Ligas, Larry Balanay and Rolando Mendoza. (Did I miss anyone?) They are the officials who work quietly and efficiently behind the scenes, making us proud of having the best set of boxing/MMA officials in the country.

Looking back at 2015, we now realize that Cebu Boxing did just about everything and anything (and this now includes MMA). From the filled-up venues at the Waterfront Hotel and Hoops Dome, to the simple multi-purpose gyms of the local towns, Cebu Boxing also travelled to the U.S. and Dubai. And it was a “total package” that showcased world class boxers, topnotch events management/promotions and officiating. If 2016 is about doing more, we can’t wait to get it going.