WBF in big comeback

Last Saturday, four Filipinos were crowned World Boxing Foundation (WBF) International champions in a blockbuster card promoted by Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde in the Flash Grand Ballroom at the Elorde Sports Complex in Parañaque.

The card was a tribute to late impresario Lope (Papa) Sarreal on his 100th birth anniversary with proceeds earmarked for the St. Rita Orphanage, now in its 40th year. Elorde’s late father Flash, who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for over seven years, financed the construction of the orphanage in Parañaque.

Witnessing the hostilities was Australian Mick Croucher who bought the WBF from American Ron Scalf three months ago and is now the governing body’s sole owner.

Croucher, 57, comes from a family of fighters. His grandfather and father were former pros. And he himself saw action in 30 amateur and 30 pro bouts before retiring at the age of 21. Croucher said he was once the Australian light-middleweight champion and used to spar with former world featherweight titlist Lionel Rose.

The WBF was originally the World Boxing Federation, formed in 1991 by Scalf and business partner Larry Carrier in Bristol, Tennessee. For about 10 years, the WBF actively staged title fights all over the world, including the Philippines. Filipinos Ronnie Magramo, Rolando Toyogon, Rico Siodora, Joselito Rivera, Orlando Villaflor and William Magahin were WBF champions during Scalf’s administration.

Two years ago, the WBF stripped lightheavyweight champion Bashiru Ali of Nigeria of his title for failing to defend it within the prescribed six-month period. Ali then sued the WBF. That was when Scalf organized the "new" WBF, using Foundation instead of Federation to shield it from Ali’s suit.

Eventually, Scalf decided to sell the WBF. Croucher declined to disclose the details of the sale except that he reestablished the WBF as an Australian company.

Croucher is now in the process of rebuilding a world-wide network for the WBF. So far, he has gotten firm commitments of support from promoters in England, Hungary, Germany, China, New Zealand, Australia, the US, the Philippines and many more countries.

Croucher said he’s particularly interested in gaining a foothold in the Philippine market.

"I’ve always believed in Filipino fighters," he said. "I’ve visited the Philippines countless times as a tourist and as a trainer when Jack Rennie used to operate the Fil-Aus gym. The Philippines is the world’s largest untapped resource for boxing. In Australia, promoters don’t like bringing in Filipino fighters because they make Australian boxers look bad. I enjoy the way Filipino fighters slug it out. They’ve got a lot of guts. The WBF is reaching out to neglected world title prospects and giving them the opportunity to become world champions."

Croucher said WBF champions won’t be restricted from pursuing titles of the other governing bodies like the World Boxing Council (WBC) and the World Boxing Association (WBA).

"We’re not selfish," he went on. "We want our champions to prove themselves by taking on other champions. When you talk of unification, you’ve got to factor in the WBF champions."

Croucher said he’s excited about the Chinese market.

"The WBF was the only world boxing sanctioning body to approve the first-ever professional contest in Mainland China and has appointed Chinese officials to promote regular WBF bouts," he said. "We might hold our annual convention in China next year although Bruce (McTavish) suggested Angeles City as an option."

McTavish, a New Zealander who has lived here for over 30 years with his Filipina wife Carmen Tayag and their two children, worked two of the four WBF International title fights last Saturday. He was the third man in the ring when Benjie Sorolla knocked out Rey Orais with a body shot in the seventh round for the minimumweight crown and when Rey Pelonia flattened Ferri Wirawan of Indonesia in the second round for the welterweight diadem.

Ferdie Estrella was the referee in Mark Sales’ win over Celso Danggod on a fifth round majority technical decision for the superflyweight title while American Gene del Bianco did the honors in Sukarno Banjao’s sixth round stoppage of Yongki Afrizal of Indonesia for the flyweight belt.

The Filipino judges in the WBF fights included journalists Salven Lagumbay, Rey Danseco, Edwin Sese and Alex Vidal.

While the WBF pales in comparison to the WBC and WBA in terms of prestige and credibility, it cannot be ignored as a player in the world boxing landscape. The WBF’s sanction fees aren’t astronomical–in fact, they’re affordable which is what makes it attractive to Third World countries.

The Philippines is badly in need of sports heroes today. Croucher said he’s prepared to give Gerry Peñalosa a shot at the WBF superflyweight crown before the year ends and singled out Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista, Juanito Rubillar and Rodel Mayol as next in line for title cracks.

"I’m ready to give Filipino fighters first crack at our vacant titles," he said. "The WBF has been dormant the last two years but things are picking up. Before the other countries wake up to the opportunities in the WBF, I want Filipinos to take advantage of what’s now on the table."

A WBF title may not mean much but it’s certainly better than nothing. Filipinos should seriously consider fighting for a WBF championship because it could be a stepping stone for bigger things to come.