MP Boxing Gym opens in Davao
By Lito delos Reyes
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 19 Aug 2013
DAVAO CITY (Aug. 19) PNA ? A world-class boxing gym named after former world champion Cong. Emmanuel ?Pacman? Pacquiao was formally opened by himself together with Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte and sportsman-businessman Glenn Escandor last Sunday in Capili Subdivision, Talomo here.
The MP Boxing Gym is located at the 600-meter lot owned by Pacquiao?s assistant trainer Raides ?Nonoy? Neri, who used to breed and raise fighting cocks on the said area before it was turned into a boxing gym.
Pacquiao told Neri to remove and sell all the fighting cocks in exchange for a boxing gym during their training in Baguio last year. Pacquiao, who used to be involved into cockfighting before he had changed his religion, had financed the construction of the multi-million gym.
?I hope that this boxing gym can help discover and develop the boxers here in Davao,? said Pacquiao, who also has boxing gyms in General Santos City and Manila.
The MP Boxing Gym has the complete boxing equipment for trainings and has two rings, a kitchen, comfort rooms and showers, a sleeping quarter for boxers and an office, both with airconditioners.
Duterte, on the other hand, thanked Pacquiao and Neri for putting up a descent boxing gym in Davao City.
?I thanked them for making this gym because Davao has no longer a boxing gym,? said Duterte.
MP Boxing Gym will also be opened to the public who wants to learn boxing as a fitness exercise. A minimal fee will be charged for the maintenance of the gym.
Pacquiao, also honorary chair of the BuhayKamao Foundation (BKF), made the ceremonial cutting of the ribbon together with Duterte and Escandor.
Also present were Neri?s wife Vanessa, relatives and friends, assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez, Games and Amusements Board (GAB) officials led by OIC Jimmy Mata, Mindanao Professional Boxing Association (Minproba) vice-president Vic Adriano and secretaryWilieNeri, BKF secretary Lito delos Reyes, Cebu boxing promoter Wackee Salud and Bishop Alejandro Flores DD.
After a sumptuous dinner, the guests were entertained by the sparring matches of some of the boxers. Media friends from Davao, General Santos City and Sarangani Province covered the event.
Davao used to have a descent facility for boxers at the back of the Almendras gym during the time of the late City Councilor Cornelio ?Bing? Reta Jr., president of the Amateur Boxing Association of the Phils. (Abap) Davao Chapter and then 2nd District Congressman Nonoy Garcia, a boxing patron.
The gym, however, is now only managed by the former boxers and trainers, who are no longer supported by the city and its former boxing officials.
But there is now a reported plan of new City Sports Office OIC Butch Ramirez to renovate the boxing gym to help revive the boxing team of Davao. ? LITO DELOS REYES
PHOTO: Davao City Vice Mayor Pulong Duterte (3rd from left) cuts the ribbon during the blessing of the MP Boxing Gym in Davao City last Aug. 18. Also in photo are boxing superstar Cong. Manny Pacquiao (extreme left) and sportsman-businessman Glenn Escandor (2nd from left). (photo by BOY LIM).
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