INSIDE THE SANMAN GYM (PHOTOS)
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 Aug 2015
GEN. SANTOS CITY ? A boxing gym built by tuna and the dreams of a young promoter. In a relatively short period of time, the fighters from this stable have made waves around the world.
Jim Claude Manangquil looks intently as the boxers take their turns inside the ring for the afternoon sparring session. He is only 22 years old, and what is more surprising is that he first tried his hand in the promotional business when he was 15 years old.
First to strut their stuff were unbeaten featherweight prospect Rimar Matuda (7-0,3KO?s) and superfeatherweight Harmonito de la Torre, who holds a world title with the World Boxing Federation (WBF). He sparred with Abdul Hamed and Matuda. De la Torre (16-0,11KO?s) made two appearances in Macao, including a stint on the undercard of Manny Pacquiao vs Brandon Rios.
Other undefeated prospects engaging in sparring sessions were Michael Plania (6-0,3KO?s), Markquil Salva?a (8-0,2KO?s) and Reymart Gaballo (9-0,7KO?s).
Manangquil with journalists watch Friday's sparring sessions at the Sanman Gym in General Santos City.
Harmonito de la Torre (L) spars.
Sanman boxers spar.
Jim Claude Manangquil (L) poses with WBA interim world champion Randy Petalcorin.
Manangquil sits with the media.
Other members of the Sanman gym are Daryl Basadre (14-2-1,10KO?s), John Vincent Moralde, Raymund Tabugon and Jether Oliva, who was a teammate of Manangquil when they were still amateurs. Oliva (22-3-2,10KO?s), who lost a split decision in an IBO title fight to Moruti Mthalane in South Africa last year, has also won the WBF Asia Pacific flyweight title. Basadre is a former WBF Asia Pacific and International titlist. Moralde (13-0,7KO?s) is the WBC-ABC featherweight titlist while Tabugon (16-3-1,6KO?s) captured the IBO Intercontinental light flyweight belt in South Africa last December by unanimous decision against Luzuko Siyo.
Outside the ring, Randy Petalcorin, the WBA interim world light flyweight champion, was having his afternoon workout. Petalcorin (23W-1L-1D,18KO?s) scored two wins on the Chinese mainland - beating Panama?s Walter Tello in seven rounds in Shanghai last year and stopping Ma Yi Ming in a single round in Beijing last April.
Manangquil got advice early on from family friend and long time promoter Rex ?Wakee? Salud. He got boxers from Cagayan de Oro, Davao and Gensan and has since promoted 40 fight cards. Manangquil has also observed promotions in China, Australia and South Africa.
?We can actually do the things that we see in boxing shows abroad,? Manangquil told this writer, ?But we need to put more attention to the small things. We tend to forget the small details here in our country.?
The name Sanman comes from the San Andres Fishing of Dexter Tan and Manangquil?s Tuna traders. Gen. Santos City or Gensan is the tuna capital of the world. The city also gets special mention during the fights of Nonito Donaire and Manny Pacquiao. Gensan is also the home of former world champs Rolando Navarette and Marvin Sonsona.
Manangquil aims to bring world class boxing promotions not just here but also in the traditional big fight venues of the Philippines.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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