'IDOL' SEARCH HAS 4 CHAMPS (WITH PHOTOS)
By Salven L. Lagumbay
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 30 Dec 2007
Belonquel (R) hist Mante with a right.
ABS-CBN's search for the next boxing star is definitely bearing fruits after four fighters emerged the champions in their respective weight divisions during the final round held Friday evening at the world-class ALA Gym.
A very enthusiastic crowd packed the covered basketball court of the ALA gym to see the historic championship bouts for the first ever boxing idol search.
Four bouts did not disappoint, as eight boxers came to fight with all their hearts for the coveted P50,000 purse plus the chance to win several hundred thousand of pesos for being the one and only "Idol" champion.
Sportsman Antonio L. Aldeguer, who was congratulated for a project so successful and bouts so competitive it would make some of today's fights look second-rate, credited the fighters' superb conditioning for the explosive four bouts.
"We really made sure that they trained for these fights. So we all saw the result," explained Aldeguer, who was at ringside with his Las Vegas-based son Chris and wife Nia, ALA manager Michael Aldeguer and wife Christine, and businessman Jay Aldeguer.
"I've never seen a card so interesting. Those bouts made my son want to be a boxer as well," said successful businessman Gerry Malixi, who came to watch the fights with his son wearing Cleto Reyes gloves.
However, although four boxers were declared winner in their respective categories, only one will come home the ultimate boxing idol, which will be determined by the fans through a participative text voting system the result of which will be known soon.
All four winning fighters, aside from pocketing P50,000, now get a chance at possibly becoming ALA Boys, plus chances of breaching the American boxing scene.
Fighters to watch, one of whom will become the idol champion, include Jerson Mancio, Rolito Nengasca, Alejandro Belonquel and Alde Zosa.
PHOTO GALLERY:
Jerson Mancio (Esperanza, Agusan del Sur) vs Saddam Barambagan (General Santos City)
Light Flyweight
Mancio (left) on the attack against Barambagan.
Mancio (R) awarded with a belt by ABS-CBN representative.
Mancio (R) receives the P50,000 winners check.
Mancio interviewed by host Christine Aldeguer.
One of ABS-CBN's sexy round girls.
Rolito Nengasca (Barili, Cebu) vs Jerome Bontog (Mandaue, Cebu)
Super Flyweight
Bontog (left) and Negasca (right) receive instruction from Referee Ben Necesario before the fight started.
Nengasca (L) throws a jab at Bontog.
Nengasca and Bontog fight heats up.
Nengasca wins the bout.
Nengasca receives the check from a ABS-CBN rep.
Alejandro Belonquel (Samboan, Cebu) vs Rufino Mante (Ubay, Bohol)
Super Bantamweight
Belonquel with a short stab on Mante's kisser.
Belonquel wins.
Belonquel awarded with the belt...
... and a check
Belonquel (R) with host Christine Aldeguer.
Alde de Zosa (Mandaue City) vs Pedro Salondro (San Remegio, Cebu)
Super Featherweight.
Zosa (L) and Salondro receive final instructions from Referee Ben Necesario.
Salondro (L) and Zosa in a skirmish of fists.
Zosa is being declared a winner.
Zosa receives the check from Christine Aldeguer.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Salven L. Lagumbay.
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