NEW FACES, NEW PROSPECTS,NEW HOPE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 13 Dec 2010
Reporting fights around an archipelago is not easy. It often requires long rides on overcrowded buses, rusty ferry boats and eating ?carenderia? food. But the good thing about it is you can get to see and size up the young up and coming boxers.
Most of these boxers have never been seen on local television. Their names escape the casual fans. Some have won Philippine titles. But one thing they have in common is potential. Here is a list of those who grabbed my attention in 2010:
Marlon Tapales (15W-1L, 4 KO's) ? this southpaw from Lanao del Norte has been under the radar fighting mostly in Mindanao. His natural ability and pinpoint counter punching bring back memories of a young Gerry Pe?alosa. He won the Phil. Light flyweight title by 7th round TKO against Warlito Parrenas last April. Fought as a superflyweight last October and overcame a fever hours before his fight to beat Richard Olisa by unanimous decision. 5 wins with 2 knockouts in 2010.
Marco Singwangcha (8W-0L-1D, 6 KO'S) ? undefeated power puncher and potential crowd drawer fighting out of the Wakee Salud Gym of Cebu. The former Marco Demecillo has been taken under the wing of Thai promoter Naris Singwangcha. Needed only 37 seconds to knockout Isidro Balatbat in Lapulapu City and 1 min and 58 seconds to stop Rogen Flores in Siaton. In between he won the PBF superflyweight title by unanimous decision over veteran Dondon Jimenea last September. Has 5 wins with 4 KO's for 2010.
Genesis Servania (8W-0L, 2 KO's) ? a former national amateur standout. This unbeaten superbantamweight from Bacolod City is a regular of the ALA SUMMIT boxing tour. Has a boxer's moves and mindset which has made him resist every rough brawler that has come his way.
Arthur Villanueva (14W-0L, 10 KO?s)- ?El Matador? lived up to his ring name when he tamed the charging Brix ?Bomb? Ray last August, winning the Phil. Flyweight title by 7th round TKO, in front of his hometown fans in Bacolod. A thinking fighter with good technical skills.
Merlito Sabillo (13W-0L, 5 KO?s) ? a crowd pleasing all action slugger based in Bacolod City. Known by his nickname Junjun or his moniker ?The Tiger?. He won the Phil. Minimumweight title last August in a brutal 12 round shootout against Jetli Purisima. Will be drawing in the paying customers as long as his chin holds up.
Mark Anthony Geraldo (18W-2L-3D, 10 KO's) ? superflyweight boxer puncher from Bukidnon. This southpaw's career has had its ups and downs but Philboxing editor Dong Secuya always brings his name up every time a conversation shifts to young up and comers. I got to see him on a winning note with his masterful 8th round TKO win over Ricardo Roa in Saranggani last October.
Dodie Boy Pe?alosa , Jr. (2W-0L, 2 KO's)- his surname makes him hard to ignore. Superbantamweight southpaw with championship boxing in his genetic profile. Explosive pro debut at the Cuneta Astrodome with second round TKO win over Anthony Balubar and needed only thirty two seconds and a single right hook to dispose of Jomar Torreon at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
We will know how good they really are once they have their first big fight, face a foreign opponent or fight abroad. I am sure there are more young boxers out there waiting in the wings We just need to look hard enough and in the right direction.
(Photo above clockwise from top left ? Marlon Tapales, Marco Singwangcha, Arthur Villanueva and Dodie Boy Pe?alosa , Jr)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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