RUMBLE AT THE BAY
By Alex A. Paglumotan, GAB Commissioner
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 06 Apr 2006
The 1st GAB Philippine Annual Boxing Convention to be held at the Hotel Hyatt and Casino Manila this April 19-22, 2006 is already green and go and pre-convention efforts are all set.
In my previous column, I articulated the main highlights of the convention and enumerated among others the spectacular events that will take place during the much-awaited affair which is a pet priority project of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo spearheaded by the Games and Amusements Board under the stewardship of Chairman Eric R.Buhain.
Bingo! After 55 long years of our agency's existence as the umbrella office regulating and supervising the conduct of all professional sports in the country, we will be realizing this pro sports development program for the first time.
Topping the list of the conclave's activities is the grand boxing match entitled "Rumble at the Bay" which is slated on the 21st of April at the Rajah Sulaiman Park in the beautiful capital city of the Philippines, which is Manila.
We owe a lot for this to the ever dynamic and reliable Mayor Lito Atienza through the untiring Ali Atienza and Dondon Bagatsing, the top men of Manila City's executive office.We cannot discount also the valuable support of the Manila City's Tourism Office headed by Arles Jimenez.Thanks a lot gentlemen!!!
The famous TEAM Asia headed by Joey Fornier and Hazel Bernadette M.Cruz is the promoter of the highly publicized fight card.And mind you, its gonna be live on television nationwide telecast via the well-known satellite feed of SOLAR SPORTS and Entertainment. We salute William Tieng , Solar's big boss here in the Philippines for such a manifestation of solid support and contribution for the success of the country's boxing convention.
The card will feature the Pan Asian Boxing Association championship fight through the generosity of PABA Director General Alan Kim . Filipino Jun Paderna, the regining PABA super feather weight champion takes on Thailand's Kularbdang Kiatkreerin who is Thai's no.1 and former Asia Pacific super feather weight champion.
The co-feature boasts of a Philippine championship bout showcasing fight between Florante Condes in 105 lbs straw weight division vs. Armand de la Cruz who is now WBC's no.26 contender. Condes is the crown holder of the country's minimum weight title. Plus the supporting events showcasing Jaime Barcelona vs.Mike Parrenas, Bryan Vicera vs.Pit Anacaya and Renan Dioso vs Cesar Balacano in the eight (8) round down to the 4th rounders categories.We can assure you , its going to be the best.Imagine this fight night to be witnessed by top executives of practically all boxing bodies in the world who will attend the convention. And definitely, all of them will be there to watch this well-prepared and carefully-crafted boxing extravaganza.
And aside from this fight offering, we do not know yet whether the President of the Republic will be there at the ringside.That would be great if the President decides so. Chairman Buhain, upon seeing all these preparations for the boxing match stated, "This is the most awaited moment in the history of Philippine boxing, a Philippine sponsored fight card just right in time for the convention."
So expect classic fistic action coming from our calibered Filipino fighters of the ring. Their punches will surely be as thunderous as the waves of the Manila Bay!
This is a dream-come-true for Paderna himself and Don Wakee Salud as his manager. This is open to the main public especially residents of Metro Manila.This is one big offer by the GAB for the greater interest and development of pro boxing in the Philippines .This is just the start of the many programs of the agency under the strong leadership of a real sportsman and Olympian Eric R.Buhain.
Mabuhay ka, Chairman Buhain!
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Alex A. Paglumotan, GAB Commissioner.
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