PACLANDERS SOLID BEHIND AMONSOT, 'WORLD CUP' FIGHTERS!
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 16 Jun 2007
CEBU CITY--Members of the Philboxing.com and Mannypacquiao.ph forum, collectively called as the 'Paclanders,' held a big EB (eyeball) just a few minutes ago at the Baseline Restaurant here with no less than some of brightest prospects in Philippine boxing.
The event was also held as a surprise birthday party for the creator and main man behind the two explosive boxing websites, Dong Secuya, who turned a year older yesterday.
Also gracing the affair was Cebu's most beloved sportsman and boxing godfather Antonio L. Aldeguer, the country's top promoter Sammy Gello-ani, and ALA Boys manager Michael Aldeguer who was accompanied by his lovely wife Christine, the 1992 Ms. Cebu titlist.
Host for the evening was the venerable Ramrod, who also announced that birthday co-celebrant Johnnycomelately was also in the house.
Accompanied by ALA chief trainer Edito Villamor, the fighters who graced the affair were unbeaten Rey 'Boom Boom' Bautista, Z 'The Dream' Gorres, AJ 'Bazooka' Banal, Donnie 'Ahas' Nietes and Michael Domingo.
The Paclanders all showed their one full support to the fighters, starting with Czar Amonsot who will shoot for the WBO lightweight title on July 21 against the unbeaten champion Michael Katsidis underneath the Bernard Hopkins-Winky Wright superbout.
According to trainer Villamor, he will fly with Amonsot to Las Vegas on June 19, and from there drive all the way to Los Angeles to continue training at the Wild Card Gym.
"We have seen a tape of Katsidis' last fight, and we feel we have a solid chance against him. Czar is a renewed fighter, and he is in tremendous shape," said Villamor.
The Paclanders also wished all the August 11 World Cup fighters the best of luck as they face their respective Mexican counterparts.
Bautista will challenge WBO superbantam boss Daniel Ponce De Leon, while Gerry Penalosa challenges WBO bantam king Jhonny Gonzales.
Gorres and Bert Batawang are slated to see action in IBF eliminator bouts against Gerson Guerrero and Francisco Rosas, respectively. IBF championship chairman Lindsey Tucker had earlier greenlighted the two match-ups as eliminators for mandatory status.
Banal goes up against ex-WBC junior flyweight boss Eric Ortiz, while Domingo takes on Miguel 'Mickey' Roman.
All the aformentioned fighters have already been issued their respective US visas, so its green and go as far as they are concerned, revealed promoter Gello-ani, who will fly to France on Tuesday for the Dondon Sultan WBF fight before flying to Las Vegas for the Amonsot title challenge.
The World Cup fighters are scheduled to fly to Los Angeles on June 24, together with two ALA trainers Edmund Villamor (Edito's younger brother) and Jeremiah Quijano.
Gello-ani stated that while Nietes could not be accomodated on the World Cup line-up, the plan is to pit him against the highest available contender for the vacant WBO minimumweight title possibly here in the Philippines. Nicaraguan Juan Palacios is on top of the hit list.
"We have a separate plan for Nietes, and although it will not be at the World Cup, it will be for the world title here," stressed Gello-ani.
P.S. Behind the scene topic of the night would have to be the East Coast Paclanders, who have been deeply missed. Forum topnotcher BCngDC, whom we consider a great friend and a generous individual, will always be missed when it comes to EB's like this. Last year, he hosted an EB at his home in San Pablo City. BC it was who made this writer's second Vegas trip (and Shiva's first) forever a memorable one. Forum or not, here's hoping to see BC again at the next big fight.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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