WBO OPENS 27TH ANNUAL CONVENTION AT HISTORIC CAESAR'S PALACE
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 28 Oct 2014
LAS VEGAS ? More than 300 delegates ? boxing officials, managers and promoters from all over the world arrived to the boxing capital of the world to attend the 27th annual convention of the World Boxing Organization (WBO) scheduled Oct. 27 to 31.
The venue of the convention is the historic Caesar's Palace Hotel, built in 1962, the venue of the some of the most important fights in boxing including Sugar Ray Leonard's fights with Wilfredo Benitez, Thomas Hearns and Marvin Hagler, Hagler vs Hearns and Hagler vs Duran. Muhammad Ali, Evander Holyfield and Oscar de la Hoya also headlined in the Caesar's Outdoor Arena before the arena was torn down to make way for the modernization of the hotel in the 1990s.
Presently, the WBO is home to many of the world's elite champions including Manny Pacquiao, Chris Algieri, Wladimir Klitschko, Sergey Kovalev, Mikey Garcia, Guillermo Ringodeaux, Juan Francisco Estrada and Donnie Nietes.
After the whole day registration, the participants had a welcome cocktail at the Caesar's Palace poolside in the evening with amiable WBO president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel graciously hobnobbing with the participants entertained by a live band playing Latin music.
The Philippines is well represented with delegates coming in headed by GAB chairman Ramon Guanzon and GAB commissioners Fritz Gaston and Aquil Tamano, boxing officials Salven Lagumbay, Danrex Tapdasan, Edward Ligas, Gil Co and Philippine Professional Boxing Ring Officials ? Luzon Chapter president Gred Ortega. ALA Promotions' Michael Aldeguer and Dennis Canete are also in attendance as well as this writer representing Philboxing.com.
WBO Vice-President for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo and Australia's Danny Leigh represent the Asian region as well as delegates from Thailand, Indonesia, Japan and China. As usual, a huge number of the participants are coming from the Latin American countries and North America.
Real work will commence Tuesday, Oct. 28, with the general assembly of the WBO executive committee to report on previous year's activities in the morning and the regional vice presidents' reports in the afternoon.
On Wednesday, Oct 29, there will be an ABC Officials Seminar with the officials panel to be coordinated by ring officials Gino Rodriguez, Joe Cortez, Michael Pernick and Robert Byrd.
On Thursday, Oct. 30, the general assembly and executive committee closure has been calendared followed by the championship and ratings committee discussion. Thursday evening is the highly-anticipated gala dinner. The convention adjourns on Friday, Oct. 31.
A WBO sign points delegates to the registration counter located at the Convention Rooms of the mammoth Caesar's Palace Hotel.
Delegates mill beside the pool during the evening welcome cocktail.
L-R: Ring official Greg Ortega, GAB Chairman Ramon Guanzon, GAB Commissioner Aquil Tamano and boxing judge Levi Martinez (R) and his wife.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
SPORTS SHORTS 286: CHARLY SUAREZ, MARK MAGSAYO, JOHN RIEL CASIMERO, AND CARL JAMMIS MARTIN IN WBO RANKINGS
By Maloney L. Samaco, Wed, 27 Nov 2024Pinoy Fighter Blazen Rocili Remains Unbeaten with Dominant Victory in San Antonio, TX
Wed, 27 Nov 2024Filipino IM Garma trounce foes, stay in hunt for top finish
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 27 Nov 2024Camp Notes: Rafael Espinoza & Robeisy Ramirez Primed for Fight of The Year Sequel December 7 LIVE on ESPN
Wed, 27 Nov 2024Chicharito, Colocha & Manimal Take Center Stage Friday Night on ESPN KO
Wed, 27 Nov 2024Kansas super middleweight prospect 19-year-old Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Capped incredible 12-month boxing stretch
Wed, 27 Nov 2024The Past Week in Action 25 November 2024: Papot KOs Wagner; Guerfi Stops Le Couviour
By Eric Armit, Tue, 26 Nov 2024El Presidente, Grand Maestro, Kamatyas, Flash Arca and Gwapings to grace the 49th IIEE ANC and Golden sports on November 28 to 30 at SMX Pasay City
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 26 Nov 2024DC judokas win 3 golds, 1 silver in Batang Pinoy
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 26 Nov 2024Emirates NBA Cup Updates: Warriors Only Team With Clear Path to KO Round
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Tue, 26 Nov 2024Taduran defense in limbo
By Joaquin Henson, Tue, 26 Nov 2024Nisa Rodriguez to return to ring Dec. 17th on “Holiday Fight Night 3” at Sony Hall in Times Square
Tue, 26 Nov 2024Lopez-Ataev main event leads international spectacular at IBA Champions’ Night Dubai
Tue, 26 Nov 2024WORLD NINEBALL TOUR ANNOUNCES THREE RANKING EVENTS TO CONCLUDE 2024
Tue, 26 Nov 2024HIGHLY COVETED TEAM GB OLYMPIAN PAT BROWN SIGNS WITH MATCHROOM BOXING
Mon, 25 Nov 2024