INSIDE SPORTS: ARE OUR YOUNG FIGHTERS PUSHED TOO SOON?
By Ronnie Nathanielsz
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 03 May 2011
The third round TKO loss of 21 year old tenant farmer?s son Rommel ?The Little Assassin? Asenjo to Raul "Rayito? Garcia in Mexico has once again raised the issue of whether some of our fighters are pushed too soon into battle against veterans if not superior opponents and whether our trainers are good enough to hone world champions.
These questions have been raised many times in the past. There was the case of Rey ?Boom Boom? Bautista who was stopped in the very first round by the menacing Daniel Ponce De Leon in a super bantamweight bout.
The late quintessential Filipino sportsman and WBC founding secretary general Rudy Salud was vehemently opposed to the title fight and said so publicly to the dismay of his dear friend Tony Aldeguer of the famed ALA Gym. But Tony, to his credit, had the decency to admit later that Rudy was right.
Even promoter Sammy Gello-ani perhaps reluctantly, conceded that they had made a mistake when they rushed former super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona who lost his title on the scales, into a WBO super bantamweight bout against undefeated and talented Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. The result was that Sonsona got mauled in four rounds and has been heard of only occasionally but not in relation to being back in the gym and ready to resume his career despite his obvious talent.
We must realize that international matchmakers often look at their own financial well-being rather than the future of a Filipino fighter and will use their connections and hustling abilities to land fights. This is a disservice to our boxers.
We also need to look at the issue of experience. Fighters like Asenjo could clearly be overwhelmed by the environment of a world title fight before a jam-packed, noisy crowd of Mexican fight fans. Unless he had nerves of steel like Manny Pacquiao who thrives on the crowds, the poor son of a farmer could hardly be expected to handle the pressure which we are sure was the case with Asenjo.
From all accounts the kid was brave which is a typically Filipino trait but clearly, while bravery and courage help it is simply not enough. Pacquiao is so tremendously successful because aside from his inherent courage and power, he has had his skills honed by celebrated trainer Freddie Roach. Our other promising fighters need to be exposed to the same kind of attention, not necessarily under Roach who is a very busy man and a much sought after trainer.
Perhaps our friends like Tony Aldeguer, former North Cotabato governor Manny Pinol who shares the same passion like many of us for the sport and even Gello-ani and "Bebot" Elorde may consider having our brighter prospects train under Robert Garcia for instance.
You have only to look at how WBC/WBO bantamweight champion Nonito ?The Filipino Flash? Donaire has improved in technique, power, movement and explosiveness to realize that Garcia, a former world champion himself and Nonito?s strength and conditioning team have developed a truly amazing fighter and a definite heir-apparent to Pacquiao.
The ALA Gym has taken a sound step in getting UP graduate and former swimmer Pio Solon as their strength and conditioning coach. We have personally seen Pio at work and his techniques reminded us so much of strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza who has, together with Roach, turned Pacquiao into a relentless fighting machine.
We have clearly witnessed the improvements in Bautista, undefeated flyweight Milan Melindo, AJ ?Bazooka?Banal, OPBF flyweight champion Rocky Fuentes and young Jason Pagara. They have built up solid muscle, improved speed and movement and added remarkable power through Solon?s training program as well as proper diet and nutrition. The Aldeguer father-and-son tandem have taken what may well amount to a major first step. Now its time to consider sending some of our best prospects to a trainer like Garcia. With all due respect, its a step they need to take.
Top photo: Rayito Garcia (R) catches Rommel Asenjo with a right uppercut.
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We?d like to take a moment to extend our condolences to Tony Aldeguer and his family on the passing of Tony?s younger brother Gus and to wish Consul Eddie de Guzman, a diehard Ginebra fan and owner of SkyFreight, all the very best on his birthday.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.
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