The Art of War as it Applies to Boxing: A Realistic Assessment of Our Chances (Part1)
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 07 Feb 2024
The 5th century book by Sun Tzu, the Art of War had inspired; it was claimed many modern military strategies including Gen Douglas MacArthur, Mao Tse Tung and the great Vietnamese Gen. Nguyen Von Giap of the Dienbienphu fame.
But its principles are not limited to warfare but could be applied as well in the field of sports, primarily in boxing where I think Floyd Mayweather benefited in building up his undefeated record. Floyd surely applied the principles of knowing his enemies and choosing his battles. And engaging them when the odds of winning were high in his favor.
Never are these principles are needed more by our fighters than today, although that of choosing our battles cannot be guaranteed as this privilege is usually exercised by boxers with rich promoters who decide who, when and where they will fight. Which is a luxury our boxers do not enjoy for obvious reasons-beggars can't be choosers, so speaking (I don't believe Manny Pacquiao, even at the height of his prime, enjoyed this).
Hence, our fighters are left with the principle of knowing the enemy. And correlated to this, knowing themselves, their capabilities to rise up to the odds and challenge.
The weight classes where most of our fighters are campaigning, the lower weight divisions, Japanese boxers are reigning supreme with a few considered as unbeatable. Therefore we should evaluate very carefully and thoroughly our chances of winning against these foes and in their homeland at that, which is usually the case. Promoters of these fighters however are careful in matching them against our top fighters, I have observed. Chances are they will be choosing the opponents very well.
This is where the principle of knowing the (other) enemy or enemies come to play.
Minimumweight
It has been reported that brothers Yudai and Ginjiro Shigeaki will defend their respective WBC and IBF world minimumweight titles against Filipino challengers Melvin Jerusalem and ArAr Andales in twin-bill in Japan in March. Though Jerusalem is coming out from a loss, both he and Andales are deserving of the title cracks.
But where does that leave our other top fighters like Pedro Taduran, Vic Saludar and Joey Canoy?
The WBA title is held by Thamanoon Niyomtrong aka Knockoit CP Freshmart of Thailand and the WBO crown by Puerto Rican Oscar Collazo who wrested the title from Jerusalem last year. Both are formidable champions although Niyomtrong, because of his advancing age could be more vulnerable.
Light Flyweight
In the light flyweight, our best bets are Miel Fajardo, Christian Araneta and Regie Suganob. Fajardo is due to defend his OPBF title against Thanongsak Simsri. If he wins, it would be unadvisable for him to take on WBC/WBA unified champion Kenshiro Teraji. In fact it would be unadvisable for any of the three especially Fajardo who I think need more seasoning with just 13 bouts under his belt.
The IBF crown is held by Mexican Adrian Curiel who won the title by upset KO of South African Sive Notshinga. The two are slated for an immediate title rematch. Perhaps it would be more advisable for any of Araneta, another Filipino Jayson Vayson and Suganob who are rated #3, #4 and #5 to challenge the winner of that fight. Especially Suganob who I believe was victim of hometown decision versus Notshinga in South Africa.
The WBO title is held by another Boricuan Jonathan "Bomba" Gonzalez. Perhaps he is more fitted for Fajardo to target.
(To be continued)
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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