MAASIN CITY BOXING YEARENDER 2014
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 01 Jan 2015
Happy New Year! We warmly welcome the Year of the Sheep but would look back at some boxing events involving Maasin City and Maasinhon boxers.
Maasin City played host to the PLDT-ABAP Visayas Area Boxing Tournament 2014 on February 26-March 3 at the City Gym. Maasin City "rescued" the Visayas Area Tournament from Yolanda-stricken Tacloban City and Leyte Province who were supposed to be the hosts until calamity aborted the holding of the fights there.
Mandaue City represented by boxers from ALA Gym and Bago City came out on top of the tournament at the Maasin City Gym. Both teams finished with their boxers winning three golds, one silver and one bronze medal each. Cebu City came in second with two golds and three silvers. Maasin City placed third with one gold, three silvers and six bronze medals. Romie Evale of Maasin defeated Marvin Pomar of Cebu City by split decision in the junior boys pinweight finals.
Brothers Jason and Albert Pagara did not fail the thousands of Maasin kababayans who trooped to the City Gym on April 11. They stopped their respective Indonesian opponents to the delight of the biased crowd who cheered lustily for the two sibling boxing heroes. Referee Tony Peasons declared Jason the winner by TKO after he counted Rusmin Kie Raha out in 1:52 of the 7th round.
Prince Albert made an easier assignment in Skak "Checkmate" Max as it was the Indonesian who was checked mate by the younger Pagara when Referee Ben Necessario stopped the one sided match and declared Albert the winner 1:33 of the third round.
The Maasin City Gym was filled with thousands of boxing enthusiasts cheering for the National Fist in the free live showing of Manny Pacquiao vs. Timothy Bradley Rematch on April 13. When Michael Buffer announced the result: "116-112, 116-112 and 118-110, the winner by unanimous decision and NEW WBO welterweight champion of the world...Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao!" The crowd roared in approval. Anywhere in the Philippines and all over the world where Filipinos are, we are once again proud of Manny's comeback.
Waterfront Hotel and Casino Grand Ballroom was fullhouse on June 22 for the 26th edition of Pinoy Pride dubbed Fists of the Future featuring the Pagara Brothers. The Albert Pagara- Hugo Partida IBF intercontinental junior featherweight championship fight was the most heated bout. As promised, the younger Pagara taught the Mexican nicknamed Olimpico a neat boxing lesson. Albert's bombs immediately landed on the face of the gritty foreigner, sending him to the canvas twice prompting referee Bruce McTavish to declare Albert the new IBF intercontinental champion right on the very first round. Albert was overflowing with joy as he received his first championship belt.
In the main event, the Jason Pagara-Mario Meraz WBO international lightwelterweight title fight wowed the crowd as they saw a truly exciting action -filled bout. Meraz's camp complained when referee Danrex Tapdasan stopped the fight with a second remaining in the 4th round after the Mexican got up following his second knockdown. But the referee insisted that Meraz was on wobbly legs and was hurt.
As expected the host Maasin City boxing team won the overall championship of the Southern Leyte 54th Founding Anniversary Boxing Tournament at the City Terminal held June 25-27, 2014. Maasin City bagged 8 golds, 3 silvers and 2 bronzes.
The PLDT-ABAP National Boxing Championships 2014 was held on July 1-7, 2014 at Digos City, Davao del Sur at the City Gymnasium. We sent boxers from Maasin who qualified during the Visayas eliminations. I attended the opening ceremony with Congressman Manny Pacquiao, who bankrolled the expenses of the national boxing tourney and was the keynote speaker and guest of honor.
"I could have done it in Sarangani or Gensan but I purposely hold this championships here in Digos City because this is the place where I started my career as an amateur boxer," said the fighting lawmaker. Team Pacman, whose boxers are from the Manny Pacquiao Boxing Academy based in Digos, won the overall title.
In the encounter entitled as a World Boxing Council super featherweight eliminator, WBC No. 2 rated contender Mexican Sergio ?Yeyo? Thompson won a ten round unanimous decision over Filipino Adones Aguelo on August 2 at the Estadio Nachan Kaan in Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico. Thompson dropped Aguelo at the end of round six with a big right hand and coasted along to a 96-93, 97-92, 96-93 unanimous decision.
Thompson started rather slowly and did not care so much in defense that Aguelo was more aggressive in the earlier rounds connecting some punches. For three rounds the Mexican used his jab and his flashy footwork. After dominating the first round, he was surprised by the venomous right of Aguelo which caused him severe swelling below the left eye.
Prince Albert Pagara, the country's hottest young fighter, was awarded as Outstanding Maasinhon in the field of Sports during the 14th Charter Day Celebration of Maasin City last August 10.
Speaking before 5,000 plus capacity crowd at the Maasin City Gym, Pagara thanked all those who supported his career. "I began my boxing training here in Maasin City and I was born in this place at Barangay Lib-og. That is why I always bring the name of Maasin City in all my fights," said Pagara after receiving his plaque.
In connection with the Maasin City Fiesta an invitational boxing showdown was held August 13 at the City Bus Terminal adjacent to the market, mall, carnival and baratillo stalls. The boxing aficionados were once again treated to numerous boxing bouts, actually thirty pairs, adding gaiety to the festive atmosphere. The affair was attended by AIBA one-star international referees Dr. Mark Abalos and Loudie Therese Ciriales who earlier conducted a refresher course to our judges and referees.
Adones Aguelo now known as Aguelo A. Singwangcha won the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF) super featherweight title by 8th round TKO against Bonnie Makiling in the main event of the boxing card on September 20 at the Talisay City Sports Complex. Aguelo now sports the name of his Thai boxing manager and promoter Naris Singwangcha. His record improved to 22-10-2 with 14 KO wins. His TKO win was due to a cut around Makiling?s right eye.
Aguelo Singwangcha made a short workout of his Indonesian foe Elly Ray knocking him out in the second round in 25 seconds to successfully defend his Asian Boxing Federation lightweight crown on November 11 at the Maasin City Gym. He found the range as early as the first round targeting the soft tummy of the visiting opponent. He dropped Ray on his knees but the Indonesian was quick to get up breaking the referee's count. In the next round the Maasin City native hit the same stomach which weakened the legs of the challenger and was not able to get up.
The most applauded fight in the undercard of Pinoy Pride 28 ?History in the Making? was the supporting event featuring undefeated Albert Pagara versus tough Mexican opponent Raul Hirales. It was considered by many as an acid test for the 20-year old ALA Gym sensation and he was able to hurdle it with flying colors on November 15 at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Cebu City.
Pagara improved his fighting record to 22-0 with 15 KO wins and defended successfully his International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight crown by making a punching bag of Hirales who dipped to 22-4-1 with 11 KO wins. Prince Albert sent the Mexican to the canvas in the third unleashing several combinations to the head and body. But the Baja California Sur born visitor ably defended his body from further punishment as he coasted along not to lose by a knockout.
Pagara received wild cheers from the fullhouse crowd while Hirales also got some adulation for putting up a good fight. Two judges scored all twelve rounds in favor of Pagara 120-107, while a third judge gave one round for Hirales at 119-108, enroute to a unanimous decision for the darling of the crowd Prince Albert and televised by ABS-CBN.
The mighty WBO world welterweight king Manny Pacquiao retained his title after dominating challenger Chris Algieri. "I came to fight. I did my best. I think that's enough," he said. Once again the Maasin City Gym was filled to the rafters on November 23 for a free live show and like the thousands of fans at the Cotai Arena at The Venetian Macau our crowd hollered in approval as the fighting congressman knocked "The King of New York" down six times enroute to a lopsided 120-102, 119-103, 119-103 unanimous decision win.
Albert Pagara was honored by the City Government of Maasin on November 19 during the city employees' Christmas party at the City Gym. The occasion was also attended by Southern Leyte Congressman Damian Mercado and Governor Roger Mercado. Hundreds of employees cheered Pagara as he received his plaque of appreciation, cash incentive and title belt and made his response.
"I'm really very happy for this honor which you have granted to me. I will treasure this award wherever I go," said the Prince. "I was born in Maasin and I will always remain a Maasinhon by heart and by deed."
May the year 2015 bring more victories and successes to our boxers.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
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