My fifth world boxing title watch

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

BY the time you read this piece I would have already returned from Cebu City with my two sons Jazy and Moses. At presstime, we are preparing for our trip to watch the World Boxing Organization (WBO) light flyweight title fight between champion Donnie Nietes of the Philippines and challenger Moises Fuentes of Mexico to be staged on March 3 at the Waterfront Hotel. My contact person there, fellow Mexican Michael Lopez, said we have to be there before 12 noon on March 1 to catch the weigh-in of the two ring gladiators and the undercard protagonists to be conducted at Cebu City’s SM Mall.

This will be my fifth world boxing title watch that all involved our local fighters. The first was the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Jimrex Jaca WBO featherweight fight held at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas on Nov. 25, 2006; Brian Viloria vs. Giovanni Segura and Brian Viloria vs. Omar Nino Romero of WBO’s flyweight fights both held last year at Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City, May 13 and October 20, respectively; and the WBO bantamweight battle between A. J. “Bazooka” Banal and Thailander Pungluang Sor Singyu held at the Mall of Asia in Pasay City on October 20, 2012. I was keen on these four world title fights because they’re important to me. And like what I previously said and will say again, that like the Mexicans, boxing is my numero dos favorite sport after cycling. Why, because maybe of my genes. Hopefully our trip to Cebu will be fruitful and pleasurable as I remain neutral all the way. Honestly, I always enjoy a boxing bout every time a Filipino and a Mexican fight in the ring, especially in a world title clash. The blood in my vein makes me so.

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My big congrats to my son Jazy’s basketball team for winning the Mangaldan Inter-Commercial Basketball Championship on February 23 held at the Macario Ydia Development Center (MYDC) plastering the top seeded GAP squad, 98-79, in the third and final match of the three-month long tournament. This was the first time that a team from my village Buenlag won a championship title since its participation in 1972. Buenlag placed third twice in 1973 and 2007 and second once in 2003. Mabuhay kayo mga ginoo. Keep up the good and clean play.  

Meanwhile, the second Mangaldan SK Basketball Tournament under the leadership of the town’s SK federation president Charlene Joy Flores already unfurled on February 24 at MYDC. The league’s screening committee member Raisa Garcia said there were 12 teams that participated in the 19 years old and below category and 16 in the open age division. Hopefully there will be no glitches this time, unlike last year. Let’s wait and see.  
 

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Rarely do I bump into businessman Wilson de Vera of Calasiao. But the last time I met him our conversation was focused on sports. Aside from infrastructure projects and education programs that he plans for Calasiao, the mayoral bet said that sports will be one of his priorities if elected as the town’s chief executive and boxing, billiards, chess, basketball, athletics and cycling will be his priority activities. “To involve our young ones in sports activities is the best and main way to curb the drug menace in the community today,” he said. “The youth must be encouraged not only to continue their studies but also to actively participate in any kind of sports that they can excel in,” De Vera stressed.  Mabuhay ka Wilson. May the luck be on your side this year.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: And Jesus Christ said “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ MATTHEW 7: 21-23

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