NEGROS BOXERS SHINE IN 1ST HALF OF 2005

Promotion of western boxing in Negros Occidental in the year 2005 started with the refurbishing of the Negros Amateur Boxing Association (NABA) gym on January 21, 2005 at the Paglaum Sports Complex, Hernaez St., Bacolod City. Australian national amateur junior middleweight boxer PJ Magno Debest of Queensland, Australia (17-0 12 KO), 25, donated P350,000.00 worth of equipment to jumpstart the new gym.

On the same day, the Philippines placed 2nd at the closing of the Southeast Asian Boxing Championships held in Hanoi, Vietnam. Host Vietnam was crowned champion. The 3-man RP Team, coached by Elmer Pamisa, took home a 2-0-1 medal haul. The medalists were Warlito Parrenas of Cadiz City (gold, flyweight), Joan Tipon of Talisay City (gold, bantamweight), and Lhyven Salazar (bronze, light flyweight). Tipon was also named Best Boxer of the tournament.

WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champion Rexon Flores, another boxer from Cadiz City, 22, was ranked no. 6 in his division by the WBO, making him the top ranked Asian in the 112 lb. class.

Flores made the first successful defense of his title on May 14, 2005 in the main event of the boxing card dubbed as “Summer Heat in Parañaque” promoted by Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. in cooperation with former Parañaque City Mayor Pablo Olivarez and Family Rubbing Alcohol at the New Olivarez Sports Center, Sucat, Parañaque City, Philippines.

Flores won over former Pan Asian Boxing Association (PABA) light flyweight interim contender Alwi Alhabsy of Manado, Indonesia, 23, via unanimous decision in 10 rounds. He floored Alhabsy twice in the 3rd round. Flores improved to 14-2-2 7 KO; Alhabsy fell to 17-5-5 6 KO. Silvestre Abainza was the 3rd man on the ring.

Meanwhile, the Bago City Boxing Team and the Cadiz City Boxing Team took home a 2-3-3 and 1-1-3 medal haul during the 2005 National Youth and Women's Amateur Boxing Championships held last May 2005 at the Puerto Princesa Coliseum, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan.

Gold medalists for the Bago City Boxing Team were Renato Lobrido (school boy 48 kg.), and Ryan Siqueza (school boy 42 kg.); silver medalists, Norbert Bandada (juniors 48.2 kg.), Mark Jubana (school boy 38 kg.), and Filjun Leonardo (juniors 45 kg.); and bronze medalists, Marvin Lobrido (kids 32 kg.), Mark Varona (kids 34 kg.), and Jimboy Vicera (cadet 57 kg.). The Bago City Boxing Team is supported by Mayor Janet E. Torres.

Gold medalist for the Cadiz City Boxing Team was BJ Dolorosa (cadet flyweight-18 kg.); silver medalist, Julius Espilitan (school boy 44.5 kg.); and bronze medalists, Arman Alpar (kids 29 kg.), John Labrador, and Mark Joseph Parreñas (cadet). The Cadiz City Boxing Team is supported by Mayor Salvador Escalante Jr.

World Boxing Federation (WBF) international flyweight champion Sukarno “Master Showman” Banjao of Cadiz City failed in his bid to become the first World Boxing Empire (WBE) flyweight champion after he bowed to Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) flyweight champion Celso Danggod of Muntinlupa City during the “Bakbakan sa Antipolo City (Rumble in Antipolo City)” promoted by Gabriel “Bebot” Elorde Jr. in cooperation with Rizal province Governor Casimiro “Ito” Yñares on June 17, 2005 at the Yñares Center, Antipolo City.