Promoters hit ‘Thrilla II’

Filipino boxing promoters are up in arms against Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon’s proposal to host the Lennox Lewis-Mike Tyson world heavyweight championship fight here.

The outcry was triggered by Gordon’s bid to promote the bout as a sequel to the "Thrilla in Manila" featuring Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in 1975.

The promoters said the government should solve the country’s peace and order problem and stabilize the economy first before plunging into a boxing project that could require a budget of at least $100 million or P2.5 billion. The investment isn’t in tune with the times, noted the promoters. The country’s meager resources could be put to more productive use, they argued.

Liza Elorde, speaking on behalf of the Elorde and Sarreal clans, said the proposal is "not practical" and suggested that Gordon consulted with the Filipino boxing community before moving ahead.

"Our family is opposing it," said Elorde, whose husband Johnny is a promoter and manager of several fighters, including Oriental lightweight champion Dennis Laurente. "It’s unfair to Filipino fighters. Why spend so much to bring Lewis and Tyson here when we can use the money to support our struggling Filipino fighters instead? Why aren’t we being consulted? We can’t even raise the money for our national hero Manny Pacquiao to defend his world title here. Besides, Tyson is not a good example to our youth and should be banned from boxing."

Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, also a promoter and manager, wondered if the country could afford to invest in such a big money event.

Why not help rated Filipinos get world title cracks instead, he asked. Elorde said for what the government would spend for a Lewis-Tyson fight, the same amount could be used for Filipinos in at least five world title bouts.

Elorde added that bringing in Tyson would send a wrong and dangerous signal to fans. He admitted that Tyson is a box office attraction but his outrageous behavior shouldn’t be tolerated. It wouldn’t even be an exciting fight, continued Elorde, as both Lewis and Tyson seem to be past their prime.

Rod Nazario, promoter and Pacquiao’s business manager, said staging the fight here would not be in good timing.

"What for?" he wondered. "Naghihirap na nga tayo. Will it be worth spending so much to say that the Philippines is still standing? May problema pa nga tayo sa Mindanao. Can we afford it? Why not just use the money for a more viable project? Too much money is involved. From what I know, the government lost millions in the Ali-Frazier fight in 1975. Hindi pa nga nababayaran ang utang ng gobyerno sa ‘Thrilla in Manila.’" "Ang kailangan pera and I don’t have any idea how much. Pero kung $10 million ang sinasabing step-aside money, saan mo kukunin yon? That’s already P500 million na kailangang ilabas ng gobyerno. And even if you sell the tickets for P10,000 each, hindi pa din aabot," Nazario said.

Nazario added that the financial feasibility of holding it here also depends on what concessions the owner of the rights offer to Philippine organizers. He said that if HBO covers the fight, it will shoulder all costs but it will be entitled to all advertising revenues. The local promoter gets revenues from ticket sales.

"If their purpose is for the Philippines to be advertised or promoted, hindi na siguro kailangan. Kilala na tayo sa buong mundo with the ongoing ‘balikatan’ exercise, " he said.

But Games and Amusements Board (GAB) chairman Eduardo Villanueva told The STAR the government agency is prepared to go full blast in getting the project off the ground if instructed by the President.

Villanueva said he realized the bid could reach $100 million but expects sponsors, particularly multinational companies, to help defray the cost.

"The exposure from such an event will be tremendous," he said. "But of course, we have to find out how much it will cost. Is it worth the investment? Offhand, I think it will be good for the country. This will be a major undertaking and the GAB will be ready to back it up all the way if the President approves it," Villanueva added. — With report from Abac Corderio