LOOKING DOWN UNDER: NEIL JOHN TABANAO RELISHES A BIG AUSSIE OPPORTUNITY
By Felman Gingoyon
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 30 May 2016
Having lost something valuable is quite disheartening. One have to consider the things that initially made you so eager to do something so you can be the same. Just a few months ago, top featherweight contender Neil John Tabanao lost his undefeated record to fellow contender Randy Braga for the vacant Philippine 126-pound title. The close split decision setback did nothing to deter Tabanao's determination and showed his class by dominating and stopping former world-class contender Marvin "Bato" Tampus in his last outing. Been there, experience that emotion is what Tabanao now wants his opponent to feel when he gets his chance to fight the unbeaten Australian next month.
"This will be another chance towards fulfilling my dream of becoming a world champion", stated the 22-year old fighter from Panabo City of his opportunity to vie for the vacant WBO Oriental featherweight title. That chance presents itself on June 11 in Bendigo in the Australian state of Victoria and his second overseas fight to date after a successful campaign in Japan last November 2014. Standing opposite will be lanky 5'8" Victorian featherweight Ibrahim Balla, who originally hails from Albania. He brings to the table an unblemished record of 9-0, 6 KO's record which includes three Filipino victims. An extensive pugilistic pedigree includes his father, a former state champion and an uncle, who is a former Australian champion. His siblings are also into the sport with promising careers. A stint at the 2012 London Olympics as bantamweight representative for Australia further suggests his boxing talent.
Winning fights on opponent's home turf is close to nil unless you to take away the judge's hand in deciding the outcome. It is a given fact and that's what excellent ring tactician Brix Flores knows precisely having guided several of his prizefighters in bouts overseas for quite sometime now. "We know it's hard but we are optimistic that we can do it", states the chief trainer of Neil John, who is also the boxing strategist for Flores Boxing Academy in Mandaue City. An important note to remember is that more than a decade and a half ago in Thailand, a memorable event unfolded when Malcolm Tunacao stopped Medgoen Singsurat to wrest the WBC flyweight title with coach Brix and his father, the late Noy Pacing on the corner of the new champion. This is the same Thai who broke our hearts when he snatched Manny Pacquiao's first world title away months before.
Team Tabanao is now on the final stages of the preparation at the RWS gym in Labangon, Cebu City and is complemented by valuable sparring sessions with world title contender Marlon Tapales, who himself is also preparing for a world title shot against Pungluang Sor Singyu in Thailand later in June. The team is scheduled to leave for Australia on the 9th of June for the fight dubbed as "Battle on the Goldfields II" in Bendigo Stadium.
"I was encouraged to take on boxing because as a young teenager, I was always involved in fistfights in our area", stated the former Philippine amateur boxing team member. "My father also told me that with the boxing, I can study for free", he added, whose ring exploits as an amateur include several medals from different tournaments. He is the second in a brood of four, his older brother was once also an amateur fighter in Panabo City and they have a younger brother and sister.
Photo: Featherweight contender Neil John Tabanao (right) with the author (center).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Felman Gingoyon.
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