THREE MANNY?S OF AMATEUR BOXING
By Maloney L. Samaco
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 17 Jan 2009
First there was Manny Lopez who took over the presidency of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines from his father former Manila Mayor Mel Lopez. The Lopezes were in control of amateur boxing for decades. The sport experienced ups and downs, including Onyok Velasco?s popular silver-medal finish at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and the medal-less campaigns in the 2000 Sydney, 2004 Athens, and 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Then Manny V. Pangilinan of Smart-PLDT took over as chairman with his trusted executive Ricky Vargas taking over the presidential post, and the other Manny sacrificing by sliding down to the vice-presidential post. All ended well in the ABAP organizational face-lifting with everybody promising to give his share for the improvement of the amateurs.
Amateur boxing needs the financial backing to stay alive and offset the mass exodus of excellent boxers to the professional ranks. And MVP, a distinguished sports patron, is hailed as a boxing messiah that could save the dwindling international performance of our amateurs.
Now comes the 2009 Smart-Amateur ABAP National Amateur Boxing Championships which will open today at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center in Bacolod City, with no less than the world?s top boxer Manny Pacquiao as special guest. Before the Smart-PLDT takeover, not a few sectors endorsed The Pacman as the next ABAP president with all his boxing expertise and resources at hand.
But even without an ABAP official post, the Filipino ring sensation can help amateur boxing by giving inspiration to the amateur boxers in the grassroots level. And if destiny can lead him to the halls of Congress in 2010, he can make legislations and appropriations for the advancement of the sport which could produce the first Olympic gold medal for the Philippines.
A fourth Manny, in the person of North Cotabato Vice-Governor Manny Pi?ol, a renowned boxing supporter, is expected to come to give his all out support, together with ABAP secretary general Patrick Gregorio and other boxing luminaries.
The hosting of the event is spearheaded by Bacolod Representative Monico Puentevella, chairman of the Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) and vice-chairman of the House Committee on Youth and Sports. He expected about 500 participants from all over the country to grace the tournament.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Maloney L. Samaco.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Chavez brothers to return on April 25
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 12 Mar 2026ProBox & Teiken Announce Co-Promotional Deal with World-Ranked Bantamweight Contender Katsuma Akitsugi
Thu, 12 Mar 2026Team USA Earns Three More Wins on Day Four of World Boxing Futures Cup
Thu, 12 Mar 2026Casimero vs Nery for WBA Gold Super Bantamweight Title April 18 in Kyrgyzstan!
By Carlos Costa, Thu, 12 Mar 2026United States Completes Day Three of 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup With Five Wins
Thu, 12 Mar 202683 Points! Bam Adebayo makes the second-highest score in NBA league history
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 12 Mar 2026Renz Paolo Nool rules 5th Kenz Gambit Chess Tournament
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 12 Mar 2026Benavidez-Ramirez presents his mega fight on "WBC Tuesday Coffe" in Mexico City
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 11 Mar 2026“The Cuban Assassin" Scores Devastating 1st Round Knockout to Remain Undefeated
Wed, 11 Mar 2026Boxlab Promotions Fighters Set to Shine on Matchroom Boxing Card March 21 in Orlando
Wed, 11 Mar 2026World Boxing Futures Cup in Bangkok Update
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 11 Mar 2026Full Card Taking Shape for ProBoxTV’s Martinez Vs. Aleem World Championship Event on Sat., March 21, from NOS Event Center in San Bernardino, CA
Wed, 11 Mar 2026Mike Tyson Invitational Announces Schedule of Events for Amateur Showcase Beginning This Thursday in Las Vegas
Wed, 11 Mar 2026Filipino chess players make a courtesy visit to GAB chairman
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 11 Mar 20263 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Shane Mosley Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
Wed, 11 Mar 2026