BOXING MAKING A HUGE COMEBACK IN ZAMBOANGA
Canoy, Francisco in Knockout Victories
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 02 Dec 2007
After a long absence, boxing in Zamboanga is making a huge comeback when more than 15,000 people came in droves to the Zamboanga City Coliseum last night to witness local featherweight prospect Eric Canoy and highly rated flyweight Draian Francisco fashioned out knockout victories against their Thai opponents.
The event, dubbed as 'Golpe-Golpe Na Zamboanga', was promoted by Sammy Gello-ani's SGG Promotions in cooperation with Zamboanga congressman Erbie Fabian.
"The event was highly successful," an elated Gello-ani told PhilBoxing.com. "The response of the people of Zamboanga was tremendous. We have to close the gates of the coliseum because its capacity of 12,000 had been filled and it was standing room only." Entrance was free to the public.
What is more impressive, according to Gello-ani, was the organizers of the event had only a little more than two weeks to promote the event. Gello-ani and Cong. Fabian inked the show during 45th WBC Convention in Manila on Nov. 11.
"We have big plans for Zamboanga," Gello-ani said. "This just shows that boxing is alive and kicking in the Philippines."
Meanwhile local boy Eric Canoy wowed the crowd by knocking out Sairung Raja Gym of Thailand in the 4th round. In the main event, hot prospect Draian Francisco stopped Pradabsri Siwagon, also of Thailand, in the first round.
The event was graced by Zamboanga officials and GAB Chairman Eric R. Buhain.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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