10 Rounds with the Trojan Dentist
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 22 Dec 2008
Round 1.
I find it interesting that a fellow man of science like yourself, a dentist by trade, would fancy boxing. What is your educational background and do you see parallels between the medical and "sweet" sciences?
I am a dentist with a DDS degree from USC ( yes, I?m a blue blooded Trojan and we will win the Rose Bowl come Jan 1, 2009). 'Been in practice for God knows how long? ( hey can?t date myself) long enough to see four kids through college.
I really do not see any parallels between dentistry and boxing per se. Dentistry is about healing and making people smile better and allowing them to enjoy their looks and their food. Boxing is about destroying the other guy opposite you the best way you can, all in the name of sports.
As a person who is into sports, I enjoy the competition in boxing. However, I do not enjoy, or better put, I abhor seeing people getting injured unnecessarily. Case in point: Jorge Barrios getting his lip literally chopped by Rocky Juarez because his mouthguard was sub-standard.
I also see in my practice many sports injuries particularly amongst pre-teen and teenagers as well as in adults specially the ?week-end warriors.
Seeing all these things, I decided I would take some courses and involved myself with ?Sports Dentistry?. Perhaps, I said, I could be of help . It is this involvement that led me to boxing. I am also involved with football, roller and ice hockey, and baseball
So as far as parallels, I see none but as far as protecting the boxers, plenty if I may say.
Good dentistry through good mouth guards can help limit injuries.
Round 2.
Growing up in the Philippines as a young man, what sports and activities were your favorites? What athletic endeavors did you partake in?
As a young college student, I played basketball and was involved with soccer and track. I wasn?t the best, but I had my share of the limelight and the girls that went with it.
Round 3.
From an athletic and martial arts point of view, would you recommend boxing as a sport and a form of health regimen?
I would not exactly recommend full contact boxing as a form of ?health regimen? but as purely for fun and keeping in shape (without full contact) it is a great form of exercise. I would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone.
Round 4.
During your elementary, high school and college years, who were the athletic heroes (role models) at the time?
In my younger days, the ?heroes? I look up to are mostly basketball players. People like Caloy Loyzaga, Rafael Hechanova, Carlos Badion, and Eddie Ocampo.
In boxing, of course it was Flash Elorde and saw his fight with Harold Gomes at the Araneta. (gee, now I am pre-dating myself!)
Round 5.
How does your family feel about your involvement in boxing?
My family especially the wife is fully supportive of what I do in boxing. The staff at the office loves it because they get to meet the athletes and have photos with them. The wife loves the travel part of it and the fact that she can spend quality time with me when we travel to the events. In fact, now she even sits with me in the living room watching boxing events like Solo Boxeo every Friday night. Once in a while however, she would ask:- ?Do you make any money in this thing?? Of course, I don?t but I love it anyway.
Round 6.
What stands out in your mind about the Thrilla in Manila?
The spectacle of the whole thing but most especially the darn politicians who muscled their way to the ringside area. Darn those people!
Round 7.
Francisco Guilledo (aka Pancho Villa) ruled boxing in the 1920's. Small Montana (aka Benjamin Gans) lit up boxiana in the 1930's. Then came Little Dado (Elevetero Zapanta). Ceferino Garcia was the big man in the 30-40's. Then came WWII....and boxing's hiatus.
The pre-WWII fighters I've mentioned fought the best Latino immigrants' boxing heroes. Do you see a resurgence of Pinoy nationalistic sentiment especially with Manny Pacquiao's rivalry with the Mexican greats?
Nationalistic sentiments? Hardly, my friend. Sadly, most of the so called Pilipino boxing fans are simply ?band-wagoners? and a great deal of them are ?Johnny-come-lately? type of fans. Just see them react when a fighter perceived to be good suddenly loses a fight. Without hesitation, they will call the fighter a ?bum?... Nationalistic? Not in my book.
Round 8.
Gabriel "Flash" Elorde is considered the modern day boxing hero prior to the likes of Luisito Espinosa, Rolando Navarrete, Morris East, Roberto Cruz, Pedro Adigue, Rene Barrientos, Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Frank Cedeno, Dodie Boy Penalosa, Eric Chaves, Tacy Macalos, Bobby Berna, Rolando Pascua, Rolando Bohol, Gerry Penalosa, Malcolm Tunacao, Joma Gamboa and Manny Melchor.
The public wants to know your Top Ten Greatest Pinoy Fighters.
Manny Pacquiao of course, followed by the great Flash Elorde and Pancho Villa (I wish he saw a dentist regularly). I also like the following although not necessarily in order of preference: Luisito Espinosa, Rolando Bohol, Tanny Campo, Pedro Adique, Roberto Cruz, Bernabe Villacampo, Erbito Salavarria, Rene Barrientos, and Gerry Penalosa.
Round 9.
From a journalistic viewpoint, who were the notable figures you followed?
The veritable Hermie Rivera tops the list followed by the gutsy old man, Recah Trinidad. I also read a lot of the writings of the present crop of young writers, Cordero of PhilStar, Giongco of the Bulletin and Ochoa of the Inquirer.
Do you prefer writing or photography?
I enjoy both just about the same. The fun part is the flak that comes with them. It's either my articles are lousy or my photos sucks. Such is the life of someone who writes and publishes photos when he is no expert in either profession.
What camera do you use?
I started with a very puny Canon Rebel XT and then almost immediately switch to a D30. Lately, I have been using the new Canon D50. Of course for the ring side, I use a 24-70 mm F 2.8 lens and for long distance, the 300mm F2.8
Hopefully when the mouthguard business explodes, I can afford a Canon Mark II.
Come to think of it, would Pacquiao give me one if I ask?
Round 10.
Lastly, your thoughts on Luisito "Lindol" Espinosa.
He is a very decent person and a good boxer who was robbed blind and must be paid his purse! But sadly, for as long as the present crop of politicians and certain judges are in place, he has no prayer.
Championship round 11.
How about going one last round?
Your take on the Greatest Pinoy Boxer----
Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao.
Pacquiao is one of a kind, as a person and as a boxer. People like him don?t come too often and judging from our present crop of boxers, it will be a long time before someone like him comes along again. I am awestruck with his dedication to his work. He trains like there is no tomorrow-- day in and day out.
I also admire his love of God from where he seems to draw his extraordinary strength.
His generosity is beyond compare. But sadly most of his ?friends? abuse it.
As a boxer, I wish he would retire while on the top. A couple more fights should do it, one with Hatton (142lbs) and the other with Cotto or Margarito. (147) lbs. Juan Marquez? Forget him. Pacquiao has nothing to prove with him.
When he retires, I hope he will stay away from the dirty Philippine politics because no matter how good his intentions are, he will fall in the common hole where all Philippine politicians end in.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel Rivera, RRT.
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