Four Filipino world boxing champs

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

SINCE there are no national and local sports activities during these troubled times because of the COVID-19 pandemic, allow me to cite some trivia that many of you guys may not be aware of, like the fact that this Juan de la Cruz state has already produced four Filipino reigning world boxing champs today.

Of course, our very own world boxing icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao leads the pack, holding the World Boxing Association (WBA) welterweight title. Rumors are fast circulating in social media that Pacman has reiterated his offer for a world fifth title fight showdown for a whooping $100 million purse to his conqueror, Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez.  But so far, no reaction from JuanMa.

Other sports pundits say Pacman’s other vanquisher, the retired Floyd “Money” Mayweather, is showing a sign of comeback when he recently stepped in the ring (again) to train but still tight-lipped when asked by world scribes about a possible return to the ring, and possibly a rematch with Pacman. Let’s just wait and see.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior bantamweight (115 lbs.) titleholder Jerwin Ancajas who wrested the crown by beating McJoe Arroyo of Mexico on September, 2016 was supposed to defend his tiara against Mexican Jonathan Rodriguez slated last April 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada but it had to be called off indefinitely because of the COVID -19 pandemic. The Panabo City-born Cavite City resident Ancajas, 28, considered by some boxing experts as the next Manny Paquiao, last fought on September 30 in Mexico last year by beating Chilean Miguel Gonzales with a technical knockout.

Bantamweight Johnriel Casimero wrested the WBO bantamweight (118 lbs.) diadem from South African Zolani Tete on November 30, 2019 also via technical knockout victory.  As I write this piece, the Ormoc City, Leyte-born Casimero, nicknamed “Quadro Alas” with 29 wins-4loss record is scheduled to do battle against the best Japanese prized-fighter today, the undefeated Naoya “Monster” Inoue (19-0-0) on April 25 for the WBA, WBO, IBF unified title match at the  Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Hopefully the battle will push through despite the COVID-19 fear. Inoue is the conqueror of Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire.

The fourth and the latest Filipino world boxing champ is the little-known Albay son Pedro “Heneral” Taduran who won the vacant IBF minimum belt (108 lbs.) against compatriot Samuel Silva held on September 7, 2019 at Jurado Hall, Marine Camp in Taguig City organized by MP Promotions of Sen. Manny Pacquiao. Silva cannot answer the bell in the fifth round and was rushed to hospital because of severe concussion. Latest report says Silva has fully recovered and was released from sickbay.

We would have five reigning world champions if Donnie Nietes had not yielded his WBO junior bantamweight crown. The longest-reigning Filipino world boxing champ, Nietes, 37, relinquished his belt months after a disappointing split decision victory over Kazuto Ioka of Japan held on March 1, 2019. Latest report says the Murcia, Negros Occidental born-Nietes is moving up to regular bantamweight division and no opponent is still in sight. Nietes is one of the first three Asian boxers with world titles at least in four weight categories alongside with compatriots Pacman and Donaire.

Talking about the world four-time division titlist Donaire, the Talibon, Bohol-born Donaire, 32, was supposed to tangle with Nadine Oubaali last April 16 for the WBC bantamweight diadem but was also delayed indefinitely due to the COVID -19 pandemic.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. REVELATION 22: 19

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