PROSPECTS REPORT CARD 2011
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 13 Dec 2011
One year ago, I wrote an article about seven up and coming prospects who had the talent to start making ripples. At that point in time, most if not all, were still relative unknowns and not one has faced a foreign opponent or won a regional title. But the past twelve months have been rather eventful for all of them.
Marlon Tapales had his overseas debut in Las Vegas, on the eve of Pacquiao vs Mosley, beating Alejandro Solorio of California by six round majority decision. He would beat two more foreign opponents - Yodpichai Sithsaithong of Thailand (KO4) in his hometown of Lanao del Norte and in his first nationally televised fight, Tapales beat Mobile Martin Mubiru of Uganda by ten round unanimous decision in one of the best fights seen in Cebu this year. The 19 year old Tapales is now 19W-1L, 6KO's
Genesis Servania beat Gerson Guerrero of Mexico by a one sided unanimous decision last September. This was one of the match-ups for the huge Pinoy Pride VIII:Philippines vs Mexico fight card at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City. The unbeaten superbantamweight was also given a catchy ring moniker, ?Asukal?, which refers to his sugar cane growing home region of Bacolod and his preference for employing the sweet science.
He gave another masterful boxing display three days ago when he knocked down twice erstwhile unbeaten Mexican, Marcos Cardenas, and scored another unanimous decision win. The 20 year old Servania is now 16W-OL, 5 KO's.
Marco Demecillo Singwangcha scored six wins, five by knockout this year. Last October, he would have his first major television appearance and win the interim version of the Philippine superflyweight title by stopping Louie Bantigue in nine rounds. Arguably the hardest puncher in this bunch, he is still waiting for a breakthrough fight and a stint overseas. He is now 15W-0L-1D, 11 KO's.
Mark Anthony Geraldo and Arthur Villanueva had a rather fateful meeting on the undercard of PINOY PRIDE V in Bacolod City last April. Villanueva won by majority technical decision after six rounds and would go on to sign a promotional contract under ALA Promotions.
?El Matador? Villanueva (17W-0L, 12 KO?s) was supposed to have a pay-per-view appearance on the PINOY PRIDE IX undercard but he accidentally cut his left hand days before the bout and had to watch from the sidelines as substitute Albert Pagara beat East African Shabani Madilu on points.
Geraldo would later fight in Thailand against former world champ Oleydong Sithsamerchai for a WBC Silver superflyweight belt and lost by unanimous decision. Geraldo is now 21W-4L, 10 KO?s.
Merlito ?Tiger? Sabillo(16W-0L, 7 KO?s) won the vacant Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) minimumweight title in Bacolod City against countryman Rodel Tejares on the undercard of PINOY PRIDE IX. His non-stop punching style will draw in the fans. He has also signed to fight under ALA Promotions.
Because of his family name, it was hard to keep Dodie Boy Pe?alosa , Jr. buried in the undercards. In his fourth pro outing, he would headline a card in San Nicolas, Cebu City and launch the ?Dugong Kampeon? (Blood of a Champion) franchise. He had his fifth bout featured on television as he fought through blood to knock out Jeffrey Jimenez.
He continued to be a main event fighter and stopped his first foreign opponent, Kong Kiatpracha Gym of Thailand in three rounds last July but Team Pe?alosa had to step on the brakes last October when Dodie,Jr suffered a knockdown in the first round against Donriel Marcos before winning by TKO in the third at the Hoops Dome in Lapu-lapu City.
Plans for Pe?alosa, Jr. to fight in the U.S. would be put on hold. The son and nephew of former two-division world champions is still a work in progress but his DNA guarantees that he remain a prospect of interest. He now has seven wins, all by the short route, without a loss.
Six out of the seven prospects are still on the upside. But I won?t but surprised if the talented Geraldo bounces back with a big win in 2012.
Fighting under ALA Promotions gives Servania an advantage in terms of big televised fights and name recognition. Villanueva and Sabillo can also look forward to appearances on the hugely successful PINOY PRIDE series.
Tapales and Demecillo are promoted by Rex ?Wakee? Salud. Boxing pundits here in Cebu are hoping that they will make an appearance in the more ?traditional? fight venues like the Cebu Coliseum, Waterfront Hotel or the latest setting for big fights, the Hoops Dome of Lapu-lapu City. Demecillo is sponsored by Thai boxing patron Naris Singwangcha and that guarantees another busy year for him.
It would be interesting to see in the next few years who among these prospects will ascend on the world stage.
(Photo above ? Clockwise from top left : Tapales, Sabillo, Servania, Pe?alosa,Jr, Villanueva, and Demecillo Singwangcha)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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