BRAVEHEART BOXERS TO SIGN UP WITH AMERICAN MANAGEMENT FIRM
By Manny Piñol
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 19 Mar 2014
In what is considered as the biggest management deal involving Filipino boxers, six Braveheart fighters from Mindanao are set to sign management contracts with the Florida-based VMS Management Inc. a move which will bring them across the seas to the proverbial land of milk and honey, America.
The move of the boxers, led by reigning IBO Jr. Bantamweight champion Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong, who has not fought since winning the title by first round KO in the South Africa in June last year, from the rural boxing gym in Kidapawan City to the US was finalized following consultations I made with my brothers who have helped me develop these young boys to outstanding fighters over the years.
Dapudong will sign a business management contract while the five other boxers, Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo, Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua, Ryan Rey "Pvt. Ryan" Ponteras and Roskie "Higante" Cristobal will be under a co-management agreement with VMS Management Inc of Florida-based boxing man Vinny Scolpino.
Earlier, Scolpino, who was involved in the career of Joshua Clottey, a former Manny Pacquiao foe, and former bantamweight champion Joseph Agbeko, brought over to the US Braveheart boxers Glenn Porras and Jundy Maraon who have both returned to the Philippines after suffering losses in the US.
Scolpino, a businessman involved with medical supplies, however, believes that in due time he will be able to help produce a Filipino world champion.
"I am honored to be given the privilege of handling the career of these six Braveheart boxers, including a reigning world champion," Scolpino said.
Dapudong, Villanueva and Asenjo earlier had a 3-year promotional contracts with the ALA Promotions of Cebu which ended last January.
The decision to engage the services of VMS Management in handling the Braveheart boxers was made after months of inactivity.
Dapudong, whose scheduled defense of his IBO title in South Africa Nov. 9 last year was scrapped by Golden Gloves, is set to defend his IBO title end of May before moving over to the US.
From the day I picked up these boys from the rural areas of North Cotabato and Mindanao, I made a commitment to help them get a chance to work their way out of poverty through boxing.
Lately, however, I realized that I have to allow the boys to move over to America where I believe they will have a better chance to realize their dreams.
This move is most beneficial to the 19-year-old Roskie Cristobal, who at 5' 10" fights as a lightweight and has scored 7 wins with 7 KOs.
The US will be the most ideal place for Cristobal to be developed as a big fighter because there is a dearth of opponents and even sparring mates for him in the Philippines.
The Braveheart boys will train under veteran Fil-Am trainer Nonito Donaire, Sr., father of world champion Nonito Donaire Jr., who has just built a new gym in San Leandro, California.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Manny Piñol.
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