PINOY PUGS ALL SET TO BATTLE MEXICAN FOES
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 24 Sep 2008
Bernabe Concepcion.
Los Angeles, CA:- Ever since the Manny Pacquiao-Oscar de la Hoya fight was announced, that December 6th event had hog the media. Nothing is missed by the pundits world wide. In fact, there is an on going battle of words over what was published by a couple of writers.
But, what is so glaringly missing, particularly in the Filipino media are follow up reports about a fight card that is happening Thursday at the Sycuan Casino Resort outside of San Diego.
In fact, even a fight involving two old warriors, Shane Mosley and Ricardo Mayorga at the Home Depot Center this week-end is getting more ink.
It is for these reasons that we are writing this follow-up report. The Pinoy pugs involved in the fight card simply deserved it. They work just as hard and they give as much honor to our country whenever they win.
I have spoken on a few occasions with those who are involved in the card. They do not seem to be overly disturbed by the fact that there are not too many reports about them. ?Talagang ganyan lang po dahil di pa kami sikat pero may araw din kami? (That?s how it is because we are still unknown, but we will have our day?, one boxer indicated. ?Handa po kaming bigyan nang karangalan ang bayan natin?. (We are ready to bring honor to our country).
The fight card is a joint venture of the Manny Pacquiao Promotions and the Sycuan Ringside Promotions. It will be held on Thursday, September 25th at the Sycuan Casino Resort in El Cajon, just outside of San Diego, California.
Headlining the fight card is Filipino world ranked super bantamweight, Bernabe Concepcion. Concepcion will lock horns with Mexican champion Giovanni Caro. The fight is an acid test for Concepcion. A smashing victory for him will bring him ever so close to a title fight he, and his manager, Aljoe Jaro had been dreaming about. Experts indicate that two or three more smashing wins for the kid from Bicol will land him a title fight with Juan Ma. Lopez, the conqueror of Daniel Ponce de Leon.
Dennis Laurente.
Mercito Gesta.
Another Pinoy seeing action is junior welterweight Dennis Laurente of the Elorde Stable in Paranaque who like Concepcion is also backed up by Manny Pacquiao. Laurente sports a record of 29-3-0, 15KO. He will be facing Arturo Urena of Mexico who parades a record of 20-15-0, 12KO. This fight promises to be a slam-bang affair as both Laurente and Urena are known to be heavy hitters.
The third Pinoy involved in the fight card is lightweight, Mercito Gesta. Gesta holds a record of 13-0-1, 5KO. Most of his victories were won when he was campaigning in lower weight classes. He will be facing Alain ?Conan? Hernandez of Tijuana, Mexico who has a record of 12-5-2, 7KO.
Reports indicate that Manny Pacquiao himself will be at ringside to support his wards. Such news will surely bump up the attendance.
Ringside tickets costing $250 had been sold out but according to some sources a few of the $150, $75 and $50 seats may still be available.
The fight card by all indications will be a big draw not only because of the impeding attendance of Pacquiao but also because it will be fitting Filipinos versus Mexicans. Previous experiences show that when ever pugs from both countries are involved against each other, the attendance hits the ceiling because fight fans from both countries are the best there is. They are passionate about the sport and they support their kind to the max.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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