Malcolm Tunacao?s 12 year dream comes to fruition tonight
By Rich Mazon
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 08 Apr 2013
It will be hard to know what will be going inside Malcolm Tunacao?s head tonight as he makes his way towards the ring of the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo, Japan.
This is what he has long been waiting for, twelve long years to be exact. This is what most of his co-pugilists dream of, a shot at a legitimate world title. But unlike any aspiring green horn of the sport, Tunacao is a veteran prize fighter who had a taste of the belt, albeit briefly in the past.
Rewind to the year 2000, when the then 22 year old boxer became the WBC flyweight champion, in only his eleventh professional bout. The Mandaue City native wrestled the belt from undefeated Medgoen Singsurat of Thailand, the same Singsurat who defeated a young Manny Pacquiao two fights before to win the said belt.
But Tunacao lost that belt in less than a year and in his only second defense to another Thai fighter, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam in 2001. And it has been a long climb back for Tunacao since that defeat. It also took a change of promoters and a move to another country for the Cebuano boxer, who has been a resident of Japan for about four years now.
Tonight, in his second home, the now 35 year old Tunacao will once again get that chance to not only achieve his dream but also become one of few Filipino boxers to become two-time world title holders. This will be an achievement that will put his name in the country?s historic line of prize fighters, one that will be a highlight of his fifteen year career.
?I feel good and masaya. Excited, at gagawin ko ang lahat para manalo (I feel good and happy. I am excited and I will do everything to win)," Tunacao expressed.
?Relax lang ako.? Tunacao described of himself as his big opportunity draws near, this time against undefeated and current WBC bantamweight champion and, Shinsuke Yamanaka of Tokyo.
Tunacao knows the importance of this fight but conveyed that he will be approaching this fight just like his previous fights. There is no nervousness in him in perhaps his last chance at achieving the dream that has eluded him for so long.
?Importante talaga ito sir, lahat ng boxers ito ang pinapangarap. Lalo na ako, grabe ang tagal nag antay kaya eto na
(This is very important sir. This is what all boxers dream of. Especially in my part, I waited so long for this opportunity, and here it is)," Tunacao told this writer during an interview in the past.
Tonight, the long wait and the aching climb to boxing glory will culminate for Malcolm ?Eagle Eye? Tunacao.
You can reach the author at rrmaze24@aol.com and on Twitter @Freemazon910.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rich Mazon .
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