PHILIPPINES TO HOST 2015 WBO CONVENTION
By Dong Secuya
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 29 Aug 2013
BUDAPEST ? The WBO, in the final day of its 26th Annual Convention here, has approved the hosting of the Philippines of the 2015 WBO Convention, this after GAB Commissioner Aquil Tamano, talking on behalf of GAB Chairman Ramon Guanzon and Commissioner Fritz Gaston, made an impassioned speech to WBO President Francisco 'Paco' Valcarcel and presented a video to the merits of bringing the annual gathering to the Philippines that impressed not only the WBO president but the convention participants as well.
Valcarcel, in response, said he has liked the Philippines very much, noting that some of his grandchildren are part Filipinos, and moved to approve the Philippines' request which was immediately granted by the body. Valcarcel directed WBO Vice-President Leon Panoncillo Jr to coordinate with the WBO organizing committee and the Philippine GAB office for the undertaking.
Panoncillo later met with GAB officials and other Philippine delegates and it was decided that the convention will be best held at the Shangri-la Mactan in Cebu.
The WBO's putting its annual gathering in Asia in 2015 also underscores the importance the WBO is giving its direction in the region. In the last few years, the WBO has made significant inroads in holding WBO title fights in the region. Aside from the regular WBO hotbed the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia, there is a growing activity in mainland China as well as in Macau, venue of two significant WBO events in April and July this year, and the upcoming megafight between Manny Pacquiao vs Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 for the WBO welterweight international title. Japan also recently formally recognized the WBO and has sent one of the biggest delegations in the ongoing convention here in Budapest.
The Cebu WBO Convention of 2015 is expected to be one of the biggest annual gatherings of the prestigious boxing organization.
Meanwhile, next year's convention will be held in Las Vegas, Nevada in October, 2014.
Top photo (L-R): GAB Commissioner lawyer Aquil Tamano, GAB Chairman Ramon Guanzon and Commissioner Fritz Gaston stood in front of the WBO Executive Committee to bid for the 2015 WBO Convention to be held in the Philippines.
The WBO Congress, in its final day of work in Budapest.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Dong Secuya.
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