Carlos Costa's Report on Filipino Boxers Seeing Action in Thailand
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Jul 2024
BANGKOK, Thailand – A number of tough and brave Filipino pro boxers of different weight classes are these days in the amazing, historic and fun Kingdom of Thailand, scheduled for fighting action.
I have visited them in their gym to provide you with these report and photos, because it's a job that Philboxing.com, the Filipino Boxing Portal, loves to do!
In this main photo, you may see most of the Filipino boxers these days here in Thailand. Only three are not the picture.
From left to right you may see: young coach Allanjohn Alegria of Davao, world-class coach Jhun Agrabio from Gensan, tall welterweight Rhayne Jason Balajadia (4-1, 3 KO's) of Polomolok, South Cotabato, hard-hitting bantamweight Renato "The Unstoppable" Cha Jr. (1-0, 1 KO).
Then, you may see experienced trainer Frank Jaro of Rizal and on the far right you find undefeated featherweight Alfred "The Destroyer" Deano (12-0-1, 9 KO's of Davao.
Not in the image are coach Jomar Fajardo of Iloilo, promoter Brico Santig of Baguio, and Waray Super Bantamweight boxer Leboy Atencio (3-1, 0 KO's) of Northern Samar.
That's because they were not in the Highland Boxing Gym at the moment of Philboxing's visit. They were busy in something else:
Coach Jomar Fajardo was doing an important job. He was in the merkado in Bangkok selecting healthy foods to prepare for the dinner for all his teammates. We all know how nutrition is vital for athletes. Jomar takes care of that, as well as with conditioning, mitts and all about training.
Jomar is coach/chef, although coach Frank Jaro cooks kaldereta and other foods for them as well.
Also not in the pic is coach/promoter Brico Santig as he was attending a important meeting at Thailand's Sports Authority regarding his coming show in Bangkok at Bangkok's Lumpinee Boxing Stadium on August 18.
The third one missing in the photo is 122-pounder Leboy Atencio.
Leboy was out of the Gym jogging as he sees action in a non-title six-round super bantamweight rumble against a Thai fighter Wisitsak Saiwaew.
It's a rumble in which the tall and strong Leboy wants to score his first stoppage win. Can he do it?
The first one on the left is Allanjohn Alegria.
Allanjohn is one of the sons of renown coach Allan Alegria, a former Filipino national champion. Allan Alegria retired in 1998 and has been a head coach ever since. His sons are following on their dad's steps as inspiring boxing coaches.
Another of his sons, Alexis Marvin Alegria, is a successful international coach as well. Just days ago Marvin was in Russia as coach of Jay-R Raquinel and Jesse Espinas.
Next is smiling trainer Jhun Agrabio (the second from left to right). For many years, Jhun has been coach, producing world champions for our beloved Philippines.
Two of the boxers Jhun Agrabio has made champions are Marvin Sonsona (retired former WBO Super Flyweight World Champ), and popular 35-year-old former champion "Quadro Alas" John Riel Casimero (33-4-1, 22 KO's).
Jhun's brother, Dodie Boy Agrabio, a former GAB Super Featherweight champion, is also a coach. He is scheduled to arrive in Thailand to join his boxer Leboy Atencio.
Coach Jhun Agrabio and his boxer Jason Balajadia pose for Philboxing at Highland Boxing Gym in Bangkok, Thailand. Jason will see action on July 25.
Also here in Thailand is welterweight Rhayne Jason Balajadia (4-1, 3 KO's), who is trained by Jhun Agrabio.
The polite Jason is scheduled for action against Indian Boxer Kushal "The Maniac" Vyas. That is a tough mission. "The Maniac" is also an MMA Fighter and he has recently scored an MMA win.
But Balajadia has a good team behind him. Diba?
Next in the Thailand pic is Renato "The Unstoppable" Cha Jr. (1-0, 1 KO). Renato is a former member of Team Lakay who fought for years in MMA.
Just last July 13, Renato made his first pro boxing fight here in Thailand. "The Unstoppable" Renato Cha scored a round two knockout win over experienced Thai fighter Nopphakrit Aphiwitrachanon.
Renato stays training at the Highland Boxing Gym, coached by Frank Jaro and Allajohn Allegria, getting himself ready for coming rumbles.
Then, featherweight Alfred "The Destroyer" Deano (12-0-1, 9 KO's) continues training at Thailand's Highland Boxing Gym after scoring a stoppage win two weeks ago in Pattaya, Thailand.
The 33-year-old Alfred blasted Thai journeyman Manot Comput out of the water in two chapters of leather. The Davaoeño southpaw aims at more wins in the bantamweight division.
Last but not least, in the Philboxing's Thailand photo is coach Frank Jaro of Rizal, a man who has produced world champion as well.
Three Old Amigos in Filipino Boxing (L to R): Coach Jhun Agrabio, Carlos Costa of Cebu and Experienced Trainer Frank Jaro of Rizal.
Coach Frank belongs to the famous Jaro boxing family of Rizal. His relatives are former World Champion "The Cinderella Man" Sonny Boy Jaro, and coach/manager Aljo Jaro.
That's it. Hope that you liked my report, and hope that you'd want me to write more reports like this for you, next time!
Now lets all wish the Best of Luck to all the Filipino pro boxers in Thailand and elsewhere.
Yes, May Our Dear Lord Jesus bless the brave and wonderful Filipinos boxing team fighting these days in Thailand. May the Almighty Protect them, Guide them and Bless them ALWAYS.
The author Carlos Costa is from Panama. He lives permanent in Cebu City and his children are Filipino. Carlos is a veteran boxing reporter who travels frequently around Asia and can be reached at carlos@philboxing.com.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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