2016 PHILIPPINE BOXING YEAREND REVIEW (PART I)
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 31 Dec 2016
It was another year of ups and downs, triumphs and disappointments. 2016 will be remembered for notable deaths and boxing was no exception.
January 10 ? The Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) chooses boxing champions Nonito Donaire and Donnie Nietes, together with golfer Miguel Tabuena, as co-winners for the Athlete of the Year Award.
January 15 ? Hermie Rivera, one of the respected boxing minds in the Philippines, passed away at 77 years old, in the United States.
January 29 ? Thai boxer Chanachai CP Freshmart collapses and is hospitalized after the end of the eighth round in his fight against Filipino Dexter Alimento in Chiang Rai, Thailand for the WBC Youth minimumweight title.
February 12 ? Pungluang Sor Singyu (Thailand) W TD7 Jetro Pabustan, WBO world bantamweight title, Nakhon, Ratchasima, Thailand.
February 16 ? Manny Pacquiao?s statement against same-sex marriage ignites controversy and criticism on social media. He would later issue an apology.
February 17 ? Nike cuts commercial ties with Pacquiao after his comments about homosexuals and same-sex marriage
March 29 - The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) in the Philippines decides not to stop the broadcast of senatorial candidate Manny Pacquiao?s April fight vs. Tim Bradley.
March 31 ? Rogen Ladon and Charly Suarez qualify for the Rio Olympics after winning their semi-final bouts in the Asia-Oceania qualifying tournament held in Qian?An, China.
April 9 ? Manny Pacquiao W UD12 Timothy Bradley (USA), MGM Grand Garden Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. Pacquiao announces his ?retirement? from boxing after a 21 year career.
April 15 ? Randy Petalcorin L SD 12 Omari Kimweri at the Melbourne Pavilion in Flemington, Victoria, Australia. Petalcorin knocks down the Australia-based Tanzanian four times in the course of the fight but was not credited by the referee for any of the knockdowns in a WBC silver flyweight title bout. A protest was filed but did not reverse the outcome.
April 23 ? Nonito Donaire W TKO 3 Zsolt Bedak (Hungary), retains WBO super bantamweight world title, Cebu City Sports Complex, Cebu, Philippines. Fans estimated to exceed 20,000 cheer Donaire?s homecoming title defense.
April 23 ? Richie Mepranum LRTD8 Carlos Cuadras, WBC super flyweight title, Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico.
April 26 - Philippine President Benigno Aquino III bares a plot by the Muslim extremist group Abu Sayyaf to kidnap Manny Pacquiao. The president's sister, Kris Aquino, was also named as a kidnapping target.
April 29 ? Jujeath Nagaowa L UD 10 Su-Yun Hong (South Korea), Women?s IBA world light flyweight title, Yesan Gun, South Korea. After the loss, Nagaowa announced her retirement from boxing and plans to concentrate on MMA.
May 19 ? The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) officially proclaims Manny Pacquiao as one of the twelve elected senators in the May 9 national elections.
May 25- Johnriel Casimero W KO4 Amnat Ruenroeng (Thailand), wins IBF world flyweight title, Diamond Court, Beijing, China.
May 27 ? Pacquiao declines offered slot to compete in Rio Olympics and concentrate on his duties as a Senator
May 28 ? Donnie Nietes WRTD 5 Raul Garcia (Mexico), retains WBO and Ring lineal world light flyweight titles, University of St. La Salle Coliseum, Bacolod City,Philippines.
June 3 ? Filipinos join the rest of the boxing world in mourning the passing of Muhammad Ali, who died at 74 due to septic shock secondary to a respiratory infection. Ali and Joe Frazier fought boxing?s greatest title fight- The Thrilla in Manila ? in October 1,1975 at the Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City in the Philippines.
June 6 ? Norj Guro LKO8 Yuko Kuroki (Japan), WBC world female minimumweight title, Korakuen Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
PHOTO ? top row left to right ? Donnie Nietes, Manny Pacquiao, Nonito Donaire, bottom row left to right ? Johnriel Casimero, Marlon Tapales, Jerwin Ancajas
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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