FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 04 Jul 2010
Samson Gello-ani.
There are many boxing related tales that do not get published. When you sit down with people who share the same passion for the sport, you get to hear the pugilistic version of war stories. There are a few that are worth re-telling.
Promoter Sammy Gello-ani missed the wedding of his only son in his efforts to make sure that Edrin Dapudong of North Cotabato can get his visa and fight Jesus Jimenez of Mexico in Tepic. Anyone who has queued for a U.S. Visa can relate to the worry and anticipation; the days of waiting which in this case fell on legal holidays.
Richard Garcia got his transit visa first. It was decided that he would go ahead to show the Mexican promoters that the Filipinos were showing up. Dapudong did get his visa in time with Gello-ani accompanying Team Dapudong to Mexico as they made history.
Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Sammy managed to set up a video link and greeted his son, new daughter-in-law and the guests on the big day. It was an emotional event which brought tears to the eyes of many.
I have heard and read about men fighting and even shooting each other over boxing and betting related incidents. I have heard of relationships being spoiled because the guy was more concerned with a boxing match. In my day job, I have seen people brought to the emergency room with chest pains after watching a championship fight. But this is the first time I heard of someone missing a wedding.
This is another ?back story? to the successful tale of Edrin Dapudong. We hope he can sustain the momentum of his first round knockout win on Mexican soil. That would be another great story.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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