'September 16th is My World Cup' - Bert Batawang
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 23 Aug 2007
Los Angeles: - Still smarting from having his fight during the World Cup at Sacramento cancelled due to an eye injury on his opponent, Bert Batawang the “old warrior” from the famed ALA Gym in Cebu emphatically stated that indeed, his fight against Ulises Solis (25-1-2 , 19KO) at the HardRock Caf? in Las Vegas on September 16th will be his personal “World Cup”.
“Sayang talaga handang- handa pa naman ako. Pero ganyan ang boksing” Batawang replied in response to the question as to how he felt about missing out on the World Cup. ( Too bad, I was prepared, but such is boxing)
Ipagpapatuloy ko ang aking ensayo para maganda ang aking ipakita. ( I will continue to train so that I can put up a good show) he added.
Batawang and Jeremiah Quijano, an admirable trainer from the ALA Gym stayed over in Los Angeles after the World Cup to concentrate on his training and formulate a game plan for his title fight with Solis for the IBF Junior Flyweight title. Solis, who hails from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico last defended the title against another Filipino, Rodel Mayo on August 4th at Rosemont, Illinois. Solis TKO’d Mayol on round 8th. The fight with Batawang will be Solis’ 5th defense of the title he won from Will Grigsby in January 6, 2006.
Kahit wala si Coach Freddie Roach, alam ko na hindi ako pababayan nang mga tao sa Wildcard lalo na si Coach Eric Brown. Katulong siya ni Coach Quijano sa pag ensayo sa akin. (In spite of the absence of Coach Roach, I know people at the Wildcard particularly Coach Brown will not let abandon me. He is helping Coach Quijano with my training) informed Batawang.
Also around to help Batawang with his sparring is Rodel Mayol. Mayol is giving Batawang some pointers on the boxing technique of Solis with the hope that Batawang can do what he failed to do. “ Tutulunggan ko si Bert para manalo siya. Ang panalo si Bert, panalo ko na rin na kapwa kong Filipino” Mayol said. (I will help Bert win because as a fellow Filipino, his win his my win too).
Batawang trains daily at the Wildcard. He runs the flat streets around their Wilshire District apartment as well as the hills of Griffith Park, the same park where Manny Pacquiao loves to run when he trains in Los Angeles.
Batawang is some sort of a role model at the ALA Gym, informed Salven Lagumbay of PhilBoxing.com. “He is a good family man and a small entrepreneur. He manages his own auto repair shop to supplement his income when he is not fighting”.
Batawang hopes to bring home the first world title for the ALA Gym in Cebu.
Sana naman suertihin ako para magawa ko yun hindi pa pinagpalad nang Diyos kina Z, Czar at BoomBoom” Matagal nang naghihitay si Sir ALA. Pipilitin kong paligayahin siya, an aking familya at bayan natin. (I hope to be lucky to do what God has not yet destined for Z, Czar and BoomBoom. ALA has been waiting too long. I will do my best to make him happy as well as my family and my country)
It is ironic how one of the oldest fighters (35 years old) in the ALA group may well be the first one to win a world title. Given his vast experience, (50-6-0, 34KO) that would not be too far from happening.
Photos of Batawang and Mayol sparring. Batawang is the one with black shorts while Rodel is the one with the blue shirt.
Photos by Dr. Ed de la Vega.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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