PRESIDENT ARROYO TO OPEN WBC CONVENTION TODAY
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 12 Nov 2007
MANILA -- President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo will declare open the 45th Annual Convention of the World Boxing Council, the pre-eminent boxing organization in the world at the historic Manila Hotel this morning.
The gathering of eminent leaders of the WBC and a roster of ring greats from boxers to promoters, managers, ring officials and journalists who have covered probably the most exciting sport in the world will be returning to Manila after 37 years.
It is of particular pride to Filipinos that the WBC was a creation pursued by two eminent Filipinos ? the late Justiniano Montano Jr and lawyer Rudy Salud. Montano was the first officially elected president of the WBC and Salud its founding secretary general, the man who wrote the organization?s constitution and by-laws and headed the powerful ratings committee.
Significantly, the current long-serving president Don Jose Sulaiman worked with Salud on the ratings committee and has always shown his deep appreciation and respect as well as genuine affection for Salud who will be honored with a ?Lifetime Achievement Award? in a fitting tribute to his contribution to the WBC and boxing in particular.
Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao, arguably the most exciting fighter in the world today and former WBC flyweight champion who currently holds the WBC super featherweight International title has been tasked to deliver brief welcome remarks along with heavyweight champion emeritus Vitali Klitschko.
President Arroyo will receive a special award in recognition of her support for boxing and Filipino boxers which has been consistent through the years. Other distinguished awardees include Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and Games and Amusements Board chairman Eric Buhain.
President Arroyo is best remembered for her continuing care and concern for Pacquiao even before he became a world champion and reached unprecedented heights of success in redeeming the international community?s respect for the Philippines and bringing back the glory days of the late, great Gabriel ?Flash? Elorde who reigned as world junior lightweight champion for seven-and-a-half years,
GAB chairman Buhain who may well look at the WBC Convention as a crowning achievement of his stewardship has said that the WBC convention ?is not merely a continuation of a tradition showcasing the best in professional boxing and all matters concerning its development and survival, it is also a celebration of the sport and testament to the excellence of Filipino fighters ? then, now and the future.?
But while the convention will enable the hosts to once again demonstrate the Philippines renowned hospitality, Buhain has stressed that it will be a ?hardworking convention? with several important issues to be tackled including the authentication of fight records to really determine the ratings by national commissions which impact upon the contender status of boxers.
Another significant aspect to be tackled is the issue of promotions in an effort to protect fighters being exploited by unscrupulous individuals which sometimes results in ring deaths as in the case of Filipino youngster Lito Sisnorio last March.
Ring safety will also be among the top issues on the agenda and the presence of medical experts is likely to facilitate a greater awareness of the problem.
The WBC Convention officially opens one day after the World Pool Championship, the biggest and most prestigious pool event in the world ends at the famed Araneta Coliseum, the ?Mecca of Philippine sports and entertainment and home to the greatest heavyweight championship of all-time, the ?Thrilla in Manila.?
With the staging of two of the biggest events in the international sporting calendar one week apart, be-medaled swimming superstar Buhain has every right to claim that the Philippines is indeed one of the professional sporting capitals of the world.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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