Uncertain Future for Philippine Boxing after Pacquiao
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 11 Apr 2010
What if Manny Pacquiao decides to retire at the end of 2010? Did we all speak to soon when we declared the ?Golden Age of Pinoy Boxing?? The latest horde of Filipino fight fans only know Pacquiao and a few other Filipino boxers. Will they turn their attention to the other up and comers when Pacquiao leaves?
Who do we have after Pacquiao?
Nonito Donaire,Jr. (23-1-0 ,15 KO?s) ?the only other Filipino aside from Pacquiao in Ring magazine?s top ten pound for pound list and he is now ranked number five. The Filipino Flash is a former IBF flyweight champion and currently holds the WBA interim superflyweight title.
He is obviously our best after Pacquiao but will find it hard to match the Pacman?s world wide crossover superstardom. But then again, we may never have another Pacquiao from this generation. Donaire also has a looming rematch with the still dangerous Vic Darchinyan.
Rodel Mayol (26-4-1, 20 KOs) ? finally fulfilled his destiny when he became WBC light flyweight champion but cannot shake off controversies. His title win against Edgar Sosa and his first title defense against Omar Nino Romero became the object of protests from the Mexican camp.
Mayol is currently based in Los Angeles and may have to face Omar Nino again in Mexico if he is not ?rescued? by people with deep pockets, corporate sponsors and Philippine broadcasting corporations.
Donnie Nietes (26-1-3 (15 KOs) ? current WBO minimumweight champ with three successful defenses; twice in Mexico. Beat Jesus Silvestre of Mexico by tenth round TKO last January in a non-title bout in Pasay City.
Stardom continues to elude Nietes and is familiar only to die-hard boxing fans.
Johnriel Casimero (14-0-0, 8 KOs) - won the WBO interim light flyweight world title eleven days before the end of 2009. He wants to face the WBO super champion Ivan Calderon of Puerto Rico but may have to defend his belt against Mexico?s Ramon Garcia Hirales instead.
Casimero is another talented boxer who has yet to enter the consciousness of the casual fans.
There was series of tragic losses this year: Brian Viloria lost his IBF jr.flyweight title last January in Pasay City to Carlos Tamara of Columbia then in February Gerry Penalosa lost his chance for another title shot when he lost a controversial split decision to Eric Morel and former WBO superflyweight champ Marvin Sonsona ? a 19 year old tagged as a future star- was knocked out by Puerto Rico?s Wilfredo Vasquez,Jr. in the 4th round of a WBO superbantamweight title bout.
Can we win another world title from the likes of Drian Francisco, Milan Melindo, AJ Banal, Rey Bautista, Michael Domingo, Eden Sonsona and Denver Cuello?
Pacquiao?s victories in the U.S. gave us an opportunity to export Filipino boxing talent abroad. Have we really tried hard enough to search and develop pugilistic talent? Have we really looked in the right direction? Have we tried to improve the way boxing as a whole is being run in this country?
The list of wasted opportunities in Philippine history ? not just in sports- is long and heart-breaking. Have we really maximized the opportunities that Pacquiao has given Philippine boxing or will this ?Golden Age? wind up as being just another wasted chance?
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