WBO CONVENTION 2ND DAY REPORT: NIETES, SERVANIA RECEIVE AWARDS
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 29 Oct 2014
LAS VEGAS ? The WBO Executive Committee with its president Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel chairing, opened the General Assembly Tuesday morning with positive reports coming from the different WBO regional Vice-Presidents during the 2nd day of the organization's 27th annual convention being held at the historic Caesar's Palace Hotel here.
Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas reported that the organisation sanctioned 38 world championship fights during the last 12 months, the most by any boxing body in the same period. Former Hungarian world champion Istvan Kovacs who is now the WBO Vice-President for Europe reported a mark increase of 28 WBO sanctioned fights this year compared to last year's 11. WBO Vice-President for Asia-Pacific Leon Panoncillo who Valcarcel described as ?like a puppy when he started in Asia a decade ago but now he is a giant in the region,? reported a continued positive growth of WBO sanctioned fights especially with the increased fights in Macau, mainland China and Japan and the steady fights in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines. Next to report were WBO Vice-President for Latin America Jorge Molina and WBO Vice-President for North America Richard De Cuir, the regions who hold most of the organisation's sanctioned fights.
During the break, awards had been given to several personalities headed by German light heavyweight champion Marco Huck who has been recognized as a super champion for having defended his title 13 times. As specially made belt will be given by the WBO to Huck similar to the belt received by 8-division champion Manny Pacquiao when the Filipino boxing superstar got the same recognition by the organisation.
Two division champion Donnie Nietes of the Philippines who is in the running to better Filipino boxing legend Gabriel 'Flash' Elorde's 7 years plus championship reign, was given a Special Recognition Award for his exploits in the ring. Another Filipino, Genesis Servania, was award as the WBO Inter-Continental Fighter of the Year. ALA Promotions' Michael Aldeguer also received the Asia-Pacific promoter of the year award. Popular promoter Felix 'Tutico' Zabala received the Latin America promoter of the year while International matchmaker Sean Gibbons received a Special Recognition for his contribution to the sport.
Towards the end of the day, a Chinese delegation submitted a proposal to the Executive Committee related to commissioning boxing in China which President Valcarcel calendared to be decided before the convention ends.
Valcarcel invited the delegates not to miss the morning session on Wednesday where the Committee will discuss a draft proposal by the organisation to Senator John McCain, who with Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, a pending congressional bill creating a United States Boxing Commision.
The delegates retired in the evening in the social hall with cocktails and live music.
Top photo: ALA Promotions Vice-President Dennis Canete (2nd from Left) receives the award on behalf of WBO champion Donnie Nietes from ExCom members Danny Leigh (L to R) Luis Batista Salas and Leon Panoncillo.
German champion Marco Huck (2nd from left) receives the WBO super champion award from (L-R) WBO First President John Duggan, President Valcarcel, WBO Vice-President for Europe 'Koko' Kovacs (parthly hidden) and Championship Committee Chairman Luis Batista Salas.
Latino promoter Felix 'Tutico' Zabala (C) receives the Latino Promoter of the Year award.
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