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:
Hermie Rivera: A Fil-Am Original
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT NIGHT: OFFICIAL WEIGHTS AS BEN WHITTAKER TAKES ON BRAIAN SUAREZ – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Lerasan to fight for WBO Asian Pacific bantam title
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Fuentes is now ready to fight in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026LIVERPOOL FIGHT WEEK: PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES IN FULL AS WHITTAKER GETS READY FOR TOUGH SUAREZ TEST – LIVE ON DAZN
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Ancajas to fight as feather against Garcia on April 18
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026MVP presents Delgado-Artiga by WBA superflyweight championship on June 13 in Orlando
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Mexican legend Miguel Canto passes away
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Fri, 17 Apr 2026King Lovick Monteadora to see action in 2026 Hainan Taekwondo Open
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Quiñonero suffers injury, cancels debut in Juego Todo
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 17 Apr 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaiman: A Great Night of Boxing in Japan
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Fri, 17 Apr 2026FOSTER DEFENDS WORLD SUPER-FEATHERWEIGHT TITLE AGAINST FORD IN HOUSTON ON MAY 30
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Tickets ON SALE NOW for Keyshawn Davis-Nahir Albright II at Norfolk’s Scope Arena
Fri, 17 Apr 2026Nothing But Sportz and Ronald Johnson’s Dream Team Foundation to Donate 500 Tickets to Miami Youth for Historic May 2 Fight Night
Fri, 17 Apr 2026CHARLIE SHEEHY PENS PROMOTIONAL PACT WITH MATCHROOM
Fri, 17 Apr 2026