Ariel Magno's Blog: Philippine Boxing at it's Best

I have been an avid boxing fan since I was probably 6 years old. I share this passion with my Dad who I remember seeing on TV as a boxing judge in the old days of 'Fistorama' when I was very young. Growing up, I engaged in neigborhood boxing bouts (with gloves of course) with my playmates especially during summer.

After Manny Pacquiao sort of opened the door to Filipino boxers who are now fighting regularly here in the US, I began to follow the journey of these up and coming Pinoy boxers. Most of them are poor and boxing was a way out. In their quest to be one of the best especially in the lower weight classes, not only did they inspire the Filipino people but instilled pride in all of us.

Yes, it's a violent sport but many people who are just not inclined to watching boxing will never understand why boxing is such an endearing sport to so many people. No use trying to explain but boxing will always be here to stay.

Yesterday, the Philippines vs. Mexico World Cup of Boxing was held in Sacramento, California. Two years ago, Mexico defeated Thailand with a score of 5 to 1. Last night, the table was turned against the Mexicans and this time it was also 5 to 1 with the Filipinos claiming the overall victory and the trophy. Unfortunately, it was the co-main event of Rey 'Boom Boom" Bautista against the champion Ponce de Leon that prevented the shutout. Boom Boom got knocked down twice in the first round with the referee stopping the bout after the 2nd knockdown at 2:30. Boom Boom is just not ready yet to face a boxer in the caliber of Ponce de Leon who continues to improve skillwise with every fight that he does. Combine that with his power punching and that becomes a lethal combination. Their record now, Boom Boom at 23-1 (17 KOs) and the champion, 32-1 (29 KOs). Rey is still very young at 21 and give him 2 or 3 years and he can become a champion. Of course, he should learn from his mistakes and continue to train hard and smart.

Before the event, I surmised that the possible outcome are quite even, that is 3 to 3 looking at the match-ups. In my opinion, Domingo, Penalosa and Bautista are underdogs but fortunately Domingo and Penalosa prevailed. Penalosa's win was quite emotional. He used to be the WBC super flyweight champion ten years ago and at 35 now, he's not getting any younger. He still has the skills which I admire the most among technical fighters like him. He caught Johnny Gonzalez with a perfect punch to the liver section with a left hook after ducking from Gonzalez'z right hook in the 7th round that ended the fight. Gonzalez was ahead in two of the judges scorecards and that's how I felt too after 6 rounds. Now that he won, I don't believe he should fight Ponce de Leon as his final fight which he's planning to do. If he was at least 5 years younger, maybe. In being a champion again, Penalosa improves to 52-6-2 (35 KOs). Gonzalez, 25, drops to 34-6 (29 KOs).

The pinoy boxers fighting in the undercard were all impressive in their respective bouts. Clearly, our boxers have arrived and are a force to reckon with in international boxing. Kudos to their trainers too, Edito Villamor and of course Freddie Roach for believing in the pinoy boxers. That goes to their managers as well.

Here are the final undercard results:

Z. Gorres (27-2-1, 15 KO) TKO 8 Eric Ortiz (26-7-1, 17 KO). TIME: 2:15.
A.J. Banal (14-0-1, 11 KO) TKO 3 Jorge Cardenas (9-4-3, 6 KO). TIME: 0:28.
Michael Domingo (32-14-2, 12 KO) W6 Miguel Roman (22-1, 16 KO). Unanimous decision: 60-54; 60-54; 60-54.
Diosdado Gabi (30-3-1, 21 KO) W8 Angel Beranza (30-10-2, 25 KO). Unanimous decision: 80-72; 80-72; 80-72

Now for some highlight videos.

Michael Domingo and Diosdado Gabi's Fight Highlights