Pinoy pug in historic card - SPORTING CHANCE by Joaquin M. Henson

Former World Boxing Federation (WBF) featherweight champion Orlando Villaflor is booked to appear in a first-of-a-kind sports and entertainment show on Pier 32 at the San Francisco waterfront on May 22.

Villaflor, 20, flew to the US a few weeks ago and is now training in Roy Jones’ camp in Pensacola, Florida. Two other Filipino fighters, Vernie Torres and Jerry Balagbagan, are also in Jones’ camp.

San Francisco-based immigration lawyer Sydney Hall told The STAR yesterday in an overseas phone call that Villaflor will fight Roger de Jesus Medal of Nicaragua in the Pier 32 bill. Medal, 25, is coming off three straight knockout wins and has a 13-2 record, with six stoppages.

Hall arranged for Villaflor and his trainer Jun Montesa to fly to the US a few weeks ago. He said Jones’ trainer Alton Merkerson has taken Montesa under his wing. Torres’ trainer Ben Delgado is also taking lessons from Merkerson in Pensacola.

Villaflor, Torres, and Balagbagan used to fight out of the Abalos stable in Mandaluyong.
Hall said he has convinced Filipina real estate broker Erlinda (Boots) Aniel to manage Villaflor. Aniel used to manage former world titlist Luisito Espinosa.

"This is a big break for Villaflor," continued Hall. "The sky’s the limit as far as his potential is concerned. He’ll be on ESPN-2 so that’s worldwide TV exposure. I’m sure he’ll do well — he’s getting excellent training at the Jones camp and his record is outstanding."

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Villaflor boasts an 18-0-1 record, with 13 KOs. Last year, he halted Thai Dorn Dutch Boy-Gym in the seventh round to capture the vacant WBF 126-pound title. Villaflor later relinquished the crown when he decided to campaign in the US.

Hall said Villaflor will be paid $7,000 for the fight.

Tickets for the May 22 extravaganza will sell from $25 to $350. Promoter Peter Howes expects a crowd of 4,000 to watch the show which will feature a world-rated lightheavyweight in the main event and a women’s fight starring Gina (Boom Boom) Guidi.

San Francisco writer Jorge Ortiz said Howes promised a spectacle that he hopes will revive boxing in the Bay Area.

"We are trying to appeal not only to traditional boxing fans but to all the people," said Howes. "I want to appeal to as many people as possible. We can do OK with just the boxing fans whom we love. But I’d like to broaden that."

Aside from the boxing bouts, Howes will stage three fights of the Muay Thai variety, a boxing gear fashion show, live bands, and "provocative beauty," meaning models and hostesses wearing skimpy outfits. ESPN-2 will telecast only the boxing matches on the card billed as "On The Waterfront."

"Pier 32 doesn’t exactly qualify as an offbeat setting except for the dearth of boxing cards in San Francisco," wrote Ortiz. "In fact, (Bob) Yalen (ESPN Director of Brand Management) and Howes originally talked about broadcasting the show from Alcatraz before discarding the idea as unfavorable. But the spectacular views the Embarcadero affords, along with the network’s positive experience during the X-Games and the localized production facilities made the area an easy sell."

Who knows? Maybe, World Boxing Council (WBC) International superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao might fight in the San Francisco card, too. Hall’s been trying to convince Pacquiao’s business manager Rod Nazario to agree to a US fight.

Hall said it’s next to impossible for WBC superbantamweight titlist Willie Jorrin to stake the throne against Pacquiao unless it’s a mandatory defense - in which case the Filipino must be the No. 1 contender. "Jorrin’s promoter Don Chargin will block Pacquiao, that’s for sure," added Hall. "Bob Arum, who controls WBA (World Boxing Association) junior featherweight champion Bones Adams, will block him, too. They’re scared of Manny. Maybe, the route to take is to challenge IBF (International Boxing Federation) champion (Lehlo) Ledwaba - at least that guy has guts, he’ll fight Manny."

But first things first. Pacquiao’s got Wethya Sakmuangklang to take care of on April 28, possibly in Kidapawan, before thinking of a trip abroad.