GAB CHAIRMAN JUAN RAMON GUANZON RECEIVES PINOY PRIDE XXI WINNERS (PHOTOS)
By Carlos Costa
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 19 Jul 2013
ALA boxing stars Merlito Sabillo, AJ "Bazooka" Banal, Albert Pagara and Arthur Villanueva were received by GAB Chairman Juan Ramon "Monju" Guanzon at the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) head office in Paseo De Roxas, Makati, Metro Manila, an opportunity for the young Pinoy Pride XXI winners and the entire GAB staff to meet and greet.
Merlito Sabillo and Arthur Villanueva have been close to GAB Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon and his partner Rev. Henry Guanzon, as the Guanzons were instrumental in developing their amateur boxing skills, important foundations in their fighting careers.
Before Guanzon became GAB Commissioner in 2007, Sabillo and Villanueva - then talented amateur boxers - were important reasons for Guanzon to promote boxing in Bacolod City.
After the two boxers captured RP Championships, they were turned over to ALA Boxing Gym as the famed Cebuano promotion company has the suitable boxing conditions, sparring partners and international connections to give the young fighters better opportunities to become world champions.
That's why a very satisfied Chairman Guanzon toured the young champions around the GAB?s premises and introduced them to the entire GAB staff, who were delighted in getting to know the ALA star boxers and these images capture instants of the friendly meeting.
Last Saturday (July 13), Sabillo, Banal, Pagara and Villanueva scored impressive wins against tough international opponents at the Solaire Resort and Casino in Para?aque City.
The always popular AJ Banal defeated Mexican Abraham Gomez and Albert Pagara knocked out Thai Khunkhiri Wor Wisaruth to thrill fans.
In the mean event, Sabillo, the pride of Bacolod City, Negros Occidental, defended his WBO World Minimumweight crown via 9th round knockout over underdog Jorle Estrada of Colombia.
In the same evening, Arthur Villanueva, a native of Bago City, also in Negros Occidental, conquered the vacant WBO Asia Pacific Super Flyweight belt against Mexican Arturo Badillo via a 4th round stoppage.
The important wins moved a very proud Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon to throw a small victory celebration among GAB staff and employees to rejoice on the success of the talented Pinoy boxers as the young warriors are undoubtedly on the right track to achieve more and bigger triumphs for Filipino boxing.
Guanzon (R) meets with ALA Pinoy Pride XXI winners Merlito Sabillo, Arthur Villanueva, AJ Banal and Albert Pagara.
GAB officers and staff with ALA fighters.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Carlos Costa.
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