Marc Pagcaliwangan: Pinoy Canadian fighter ready for his pro debut
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 22 Sep 2012
Montreal, Canada ? Marc Pagcaliwangan and his team traveled more than five hours by land to the site of his first professional bout in the beautiful city of Montreal, Quebec Canada. The twenty two year old son of Filipino immigrants is equipped with more than forty amateur fights, fighting as high as 155 pounds in his days as an amateur boxer. Pagcaliwangan has been a three time Golden Gloves champion and a provincial winner from the Ontario Boxing Association.
The young pugilist will start his pro career tonight at 126 pounds or the featherweight division. He weighed in at 124.8 pounds during yesterday?s pre-fight weigh-in. The young warrior expressed that he is ready to show his wares in his initial venture into prize fighting.
?I'm feeling a bit nervous but I'm feeling strong, I'm ready, I'm 100% focus!? Pagcaliwangan told me.
The Toronto born fighter has been immersed in a tough training camp with Filipino trainer Socrates Celestial who hails from Baguio City. The duo together with other members of the team endured a 12 week long preparation to get Pagcaliwangan ready for his debut. A camp that is entirely different from what he has grown accustomed to in the past.
?This camp was very different, I did a lot of stuff I have never done before. This camp changed my body and made me into a whole new fighter.? narrates Pagcaliwangan.
Pagcaliwangan mentioned that his partnership with Celestial or ?Coach Soc? has been a great thing for him. ?It's amazing, we make the perfect match, and he trains me both in boxing and strength and conditioning. He changed me a lot.?
Celestial has been involved with boxing and fitness for over 15 years, mostly in the Greater Toronto Area. He is also a contributor for the Philippine?s topmost boxing site, Philboxing.com where he reports on fights that occur in his area. Both trainer and fighter blended well right away from their very first day of camp.
?Coach Socrates knows what he's doing and knows what he?s talking about. He's an amazing coach, him being Filipino is great because we both share the same culture and Filipinos love seeing a Filipino team like us,? said Pagcaliwangan of his trainer.
Pagcaliwangan is excited to represent Filipino and Canadians whenever he steps in the ring. His love for his race is evident not only in his looks but on the emblem on his skin. The image of the Philippine sun is tattooed on his shoulder, a reminder of not only his roots but of the rich history of fighters that come from the Philippines.
?I am going to represent Filipinos well. I'm going to be the first Filipino to ever win a Canadian title belt as a professional. I am proud to be a Filipino fighter and I've been dreaming of this day since I was a kid,? said the young boxer who dreamt of becoming one since he was seven years old.
Tonight, Marc Pagcaliwangan starts his journey in his quest of that dream.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com for any reactions to this piece.
Photo: Pagcaliwangan (R) with trainer Soc Celestial.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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