DAPUDONG ROLLS THE DICE
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 27 Jun 2011
It has happened before but it is quite rare. That is why we remember those who succeeded in spectacular fashion. I?m talking about ?last minute? invitations for a world title fight. The Bad Boy from Dadiangas, Rolando Navarrete, as a last minute fill-in, knocked out Cornelius Boza-Edwards in five rounds in Via Reggio, Italy for the WBC superfeatherweight title in 1981.
Lehlohonolo Ledwaba was supposed to make his title defense against Manny Pacquiao of Gen. Santos City as a launching pad for ring recognition in the United States. Ledwaba was scheduled to fight Enrique Sanchez, who sustained a cut during training and was forced to withdraw.
Almost twenty years after Navarrete rose to the occasion, Pacquiao agreed to take the fight on two weeks notice and won the IBF superbantamweight title, stopping Ledwaba in six brutal rounds. The rest as they say, is history.
Now, someone from the northern part of Cotabato got the call.
Edrin ?The Sting? Dapudong last fought on June 11 and beat Benja Loemoli of Indonesia by 4th round TKO. Less than ten days later came the breaking news that he would fight WBA flyweight champion Hernan ?Tyson? Marquez.
Looking at a few fans? comments, there are varying opinions about the wisdom of this venture. You can call it a gamble, a calculated risk or just plain recklessness. But a title shot is a title shot. There was a time when it was so hard to get one; especially when there was only one sanctioning body, especially during the time when Filipino boxers did not get that much publicity and/or respect.
Dapudong is soft spoken and has never been a source of clever quotables during press conferences. Sportswriters have to squeeze the words right out of him. But make no mistake, he can fight. Hardcore Cebu boxing fans still remember his scintillating battle with the popular Bert Batawang two years ago at the Cebu Coliseum.
He never maximized his time under the spotlight when he scored a major win in Mexico for the WBC Silver flyweight title. Former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Pi?ol was man enough to take the blame, attributed to errors in the training regimen, when his fighter lost.
When all is said and done, it will be Dapudong who will enter a Mexican ring for the third time. Boxers always risk their well being and career every time they step inside the ring. The stakes will be higher this July 2. That is why we remember the names of those who succeed.
(Top photo - Dapudong pummels Sofyan Effendi)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Weigh-In Results: Naoya Inoue vs. Ramon Cardenas/Rafael Espinoza vs. Edward Vazquez World Championship Doubleheader
Sun, 04 May 2025Rolly Romero Upsets Ryan Garcia, Throws Garcia-Haney Rematch into Chaos
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 03 May 2025Haney's Cautious Approach Leads to Wide Decision Win Over Ramirez in Times Square
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 03 May 2025Teo Lopez Retains Titles with Unanimous Decision Over Barboza Jr. in Times Square
By Dong Secuya, Sat, 03 May 2025Canelo and Scull Hit the Scales: Undisputed Super Middleweight Showdown Set for Tomorrow in Riyadh
Sat, 03 May 2025Press Conference Notes: Naoya Inoue-Ramon Cardenas & Rafael Espinoza-Edward Vazquez Top Monster World Championship Doubleheader Sunday in Las Vegas
Sat, 03 May 2025Triple A Promotions Presents Live Boxing at R&J Music Pavilion in San Antonio on May 10
Sat, 03 May 2025Quiksilver, Roxy, Billabong sponsor Sarangani Bay Kayakfes 2025
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 03 May 2025IIEE kickoffs Electrical Safety Month in QC and sets chess tournament in Baguio
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 03 May 2025High Profile Names Headline but Not Much Meat on the Bone in the Matchup
By Chris Carlson, Fri, 02 May 2025Canelo Alvarez vs. William Scull: Undisputed Clash Set for Saudi Arabia This Saturday
Fri, 02 May 2025Garcia, Haney, and Lopez Hit the Scales for Blockbuster DAZN PPV Card in Times Square
By Dong Secuya, Fri, 02 May 2025A Monster Arrival! Naoya Inoue & Ramon Cardenas Make Vegas Splash Ahead of Sunday's Undisputed Junior Featherweight Showdown
Fri, 02 May 2025Minnesota Timberwolves Oust Lakers; Gobert Finally Gets Back at Dončić
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 01 May 2025“FATAL FURY: CITY OF THE WOLVES” FINAL PRESS CONFERENCE QUOTES
Thu, 01 May 2025