ROBERT ALLANIC MAKES AN INAUSPICIOUS DEBUT IN THE USA
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 03 Mar 2007
LOS ANGELES, California--ALA boy Robert ?Cliff Smart? Allanic ( 14-5- 0 (7KO) dreams of making a big splash in his US debut against a former Mexican Olympian, Abner Mares (11-0-0 7K0).
His dream was however, effectively squashed by the undefeated pug from Guadalajara, Mexico. Mares won every round from the get go ending with a TKO after the 8th round when officials stopped the bout due to Allanic?s injury on the left eyebrow.
Mares? longer reach and superb counter-punching definitely spelled the difference as he constantly beat Allanic to the punch. From the 4th round on, Allanic?s injury gradually worsen leading to the stoppage after the 8th round.
One may argue that if Allanic had more time to acclimatize in the US, the results would have been different. Allanic arrived in Los Angeles from Cebu on Tuesday night. Following a very quick appointment with a doctor the following day in San Pedro, California, a city just about an hour drive south of Los Angeles, he and trainer Edito Villamor flew to Philly for the fight held earlier today, Friday.
Allanic did not show any ill effects of the sudden time zone changes. Unlike Montiel Gonzales of Mexico who had barely three days to make his fight in the Philippines and effectively showed the ill effects of jet lag when he fought and got KO?d by Boom Boom Bautista in Cebu last weekend, Allanic was a portrait of a well-trained fighter. His condition is indeed a tribute to the discipline at the ALA Gym. He showed no signs of jet lag. He gave his all and fought like all the ALA boys do, with grit and fierce determination. In the end, he simply lost to a better fighter.
I had the privilege of seating next to Allanic on the plane from Cebu to Manila last Sunday, the day after the Gorres-Montiel debacle. It was a short plane ride but a very good one. In our conversation, it dawned to me that I was seated next to a very nice young man who has commendable goals in life.
? My ultimate goal is to win a title for Sir ALA, Filipino people and my family?, he said.. Then he added, ?But, I am also aware that I will not be fighting forever. So even if it was a short notice, I took this fight because the money is good. It will go a long way in helping me and my family. And, it is the beginning of the road to my final goals?.
Allanic?s debut tonight may indeed be the door opener. Fighting a televised bout in the US could only help his cause.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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