PANONCILLO BREAKS SILENCE, RESPONDS TO ISSUES HURLED AGAINST WBO
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 15 May 2010
WBO Asia-Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo lead the WBO DRUG FREE YOUTH outreach program held in my hometown of Mabolo, Cebu City. Together with Promoter Sammy Gello-ani and Mabolo Barangay Captain Rey Ompoc, they gave bags and school supplies to children and teenagers of the barangay.
Mr. Panoncillo had a conversation with this writer before the event and opened up about the series of controversies and intrigues written about him and the World Boxing Organization (WBO).
?It was never our intention to manipulate our ratings so Ciso Morales would get a title shot against Fernando Montiel. Morales or any WBO world rated fighter can fight in another weight division as long as he can make the weight.? He said. ?Morales deserved a ranking and a shot at the world title for successfully defending his super bantamweight Oriental title. Remember when he fought in Canada at 122 lbs against Mexican Miguel Gonzales Piedras? Morales was small compared to his opponent. So, it was decided by Sammy Gello-ani and trainer Nonito Donaire that he will have to fight at 118.?
?The plan to have Morales campaign at 118 was made even before Z Gorres was injured. The Montiel camp turned down Michael Domingo as a substitute for Gorres, which was their prerogative, and chose Morales.?
?Many boxers fight in two different weights, Sergio Martinez fought at 154 and 160. To use as an example, Manuel Vargas fought at 105 but was allowed by the WBA to fight at 115 against Nonito,Jr.? Panoncillo added. ?I also talked with Morales? manager Kenneth Rontal regarding the article that his boxer fought and lost against Las Pinas in his first fight. That was an exhibition bout. Morales was not licensed at that time and this was an exhibition fight between an amateur and a pro.?
?And even if he did lose, even if he wasn?t undefeated? does one loss disqualify you from a title shot later on in your career??
Mr. Panoncillo also talked about Johnriel Casimero?s title shot against Ivan Calderon which got canceled. ?The WBO rules do require that they fight each other. But Sampson Lewkowicz, who promotes Casimero, and Ivan Rivera who represents Calderon, decided that it would be to the financial benefit of the two boxers if they defend their titles first before fighting each other.?
?Both boxers are undefeated. Casimero already has the interim title. If he beats Garcia Hirales and Calderon decides to move up in weight, then he will be the champion.?
With his regards to the write-up about his presence in the Montiel ? Hasegawa match, Panoncillo provided the following information:
The Montiel bout with Hasegawa was officially sanctioned accordingly as a defense for Montiel, it was not meant for a unification, as indicated on Mr. Luis Batista-Salas? Championship Committee letter to Fernando Beltran of Zanfer Promotions, that states, ?Dear Mr. Beltran, the World Boxing Organization?s Championship Committee sanctions the above referenced bout between Fernando Montiel and Hozumi Hasegawa to be held on April 30, 2010 in Tokyo, Japan with three provisions that:
(1) If Fernando Montiel wins, he faces within 90 days of the bout, the winner of the bout between Eric Morel vs. Jorge Arce to be held on April 24th in Ciudad Obregon, Sonora, Mexico; and,
(2) If Fernando Montiel loses, the WBO Bantamweight title becomes vacant; furthermore,
(3) Mr. Hozumi Hasagawa is NOT fighting for the WBO title; therefore, if Mr. Hasegawa wins he will not become the WBO Bantamweight title holder.
The assigned supervisor WBO Asia Pacific Chairman Leon Panoncillo, Jr. will supervise the defense of Fernando Montiel and was officially appointed by WBO President Francisco Valcarcel, Esq.
?All I want is fair and balanced coverage and a chance to air our side.? Mr. Panoncillo concluded.
Top photo: WBO Vice President Leon Panoncillo, Jr (right, back row) and SGG Promotions President Sammy Gello-ani (left, back row) pose with less privileged students during WBO's outreach program held at the Mabolo Sports Gymnasium in Cebu City Friday afternoon.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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