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:
USA Boxing Sends Eight Boxers to Italy for International Duel
Thu, 23 Jul 2026P248k prize on the line in Moon Cake Festival Pro Amateur 10-ball tournament at Pacman's Cue Club
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 23 Jul 2026Super Lightweight Contender Frank “The Ghost” Martin Inks Promotional Pact with Top Rank
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Thu, 23 Jul 2026DUELING TUNE-UPS: Joshua and Fury Play High-Stakes Chicken Across Asia with November Mega-Fight Hanging in the Balance
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Chavon Stillwell and Izaiah Dent Put Their Perfect Records on the Line in a Can't-Miss Main Event at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights"
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Unbeaten Bizhamov faces Mironchikov in IBA Pro 20 main event in Naberezhnye Chelny
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Cuarto ready to fight Paradero
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 22 Jul 2026CHAVES DEFENDS WBO LATINO TITLE AGAINST GARCIA AT PRUDENTIAL CENTER IN NEWARK, NJ ON SEPT 4
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026Undefeated Middleweight Prospect Sebastian Juarez Returns August 8 Against Rance Ward
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 22 Jul 2026WBC President Mauricio Sulaimán and WBC Cares visits Pedro Fiorito Hospital in Avellaneda, Argentina
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 22 Jul 2026COLD SHOULDER IN SYDNEY: Spence and Tszyu Trade Snubs and Staredowns at Grand Arrivals Launch
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026Suarez, Lewkowicz Ask the WBO to Enforce Navarrete Rematch and Begin Negotiations Immediately
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 21 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 20 JULY 2026: Papot Outpoints Eubank; Pacheco Stops Aleem; Suarez Smokes Avila in One Round
By Eric Armit, Tue, 21 Jul 2026Fiery Exchange at Fanatics Fest: Garcia and Benn Nearly Brawl in New York Ahead of Sept. 12 Title Clash
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Tue, 21 Jul 2026John Michael Zulueta Headlines in Highland Show July 25 in Thailand, LIVE on TrillerTV
By Carlos Costa, Tue, 21 Jul 2026