Zander's ring comeback

it  was in 1979 when 22-year-old Alex Wangkay, fresh from graduating at the Mindanao Aeronautical Technical School in Davao City, took a slow boat to Manila in search of fame and fortune.

With a special gift of singing, Wangkay made his way to Manila’s hottest nightspots performing in one-man shows at El Bodegon, Eduardo’s, Wells Fargo, bars and hotel lounges. He used the stage name Zander Khan to release nine albums, including three gold sellers, as a recording artist with the Dyna label.

In the early ’80s, Khan was a regular in the music charts with hits like “Tanging Ikaw” “Pagibig Ko, Pagibig Mo” (a duet with Miriam Pantig) “Huwag Magbago” and “Madly In Love.”

Then, Khan fell in love with boxing. His uncle Armand Bangoyan, a retired boxer, was killed in an ambush in 1985 and left behind a stable of some 20 prizefighters. Khan inherited the stable and began charting the boxers’ careers.

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In 1988, Khan set up home base in Korea and revived his singing career in nightclubs around Seoul. He continued his interest in boxing and became the top matchmaker for Kukdong Promotions, providing opportunities for Filipino fighters to earn dollars in Korean rings. Khan also organized a spare parts business with Filipino partners.

In 1993, Khan returned to live in Manila and began promoting big-time boxing shows featuring his protégé Armand Picar. After Picar won the Oriental junior middleweight crown, Khan negotiated a crack at the WBA title held by Julio Cesar Vasquez in Las Vegas in 1994. Alas, Picar lasted only two rounds with Vasquez. Khan’s consolation was he managed to bring a Davaoeño all the way to Las Vegas for a chance of a lifetime.

Khan later got involved as a business manager with Gerry Peñalosa, Rudy Cabiles, Little Bangoyan, Morris East and even Manny Pacquiao.

In 2000, Khan combined forces with Bebot Elorde and Jay Sonza to co-promote Pacquiao’s fight against Arnel Barotillo at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

“Manny lost the WBC flyweight title six months before and was on the comeback trail after beating Reynante Jamili but not too many promoters were willing to take a chance on him,” recalled Khan. “But I had a feeling Manny was destined for great things.”

Whatever he earned from the project, Khan staked in his bid for the mayoralty of his hometown Jose Abad Santos, the second largest municipality in Davao del Sur with a 73,000-hectare land area and a 75-kilometer coastline.

In his initial foray into politics, Khan took on the family that had dominated the town for over 30 years and won the first of three successive terms as Mayor in 2001. He is no longer eligible to run for the same position next elections and a sister will likely aspire to be his successor.

Khan, who has two children – Carl, 26, and Keith, 17, said he wouldn’t have accomplished what he did for Jose Abad Santos without the support of President Arroyo and the Kampi party. He singled out the town’s road network, the power program, the telecommunications system and the livelihood projects as the highlights of his achievements.

Khan also mentioned President Arroyo has earmarked P100 Million for the “missing link” road to connect Saranggani and Davao del Sur.

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Through the years, Khan’s love for boxing hasn’t waned. Pacquiao’s success has inspired Khan to scout for young prospects who could be future world champions. With his brother Julius and veteran Vic Adriano as trainers, Khan has formed a new stable of fighters hoping to emerge as the next Pacquiaos.

His team of nine pros includes junior bantamweight Russell Alim, flyweight Ricky (Tyson) Sabia, miniflyweight Kid Gabe, lightflyweight Juve Alim and flyweight Rocky Sardido. Khan also has some 50 amateurs under his wing.

Now that his third term is coming to an end, Khan said he’s looking to leave a legacy in sports. That’s why on Oct. 10, he’s organizing a boxing show at the Rizal Memorial Gym in Davao City where his rising star Balweg Bangoyan will challenge unbeaten WBC International superbantamweight champion Sande Otieno of Kenya. It’s his first promotion since the Pacquiao-Barotillo tiff eight years ago and Khan said he hopes the comeback will be memorable.

If Bangoyan wins, he’ll likely be booked to fight in the undercard of a Bobby Pacquiao mainer being staged by Cebu’s Rex (Wakee) Salud in Dubai on Nov. 28. Bangoyan, like Otieno, is undefeated so the bout is expected to be an all-out war as both fighters are determined to preserve their unblemished records.

Khan, 51, has come a long way since taking a slow boat to Manila as Alex Wangkay in 1979.