Three down, four still standing

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr. 


 


THE world watched the title fight last Sunday between our very own Filipino world champion Brian Viloria and world top contender Mexican Juan Francisco Estrada. We saw how our compatriot Viloria lost his WBO and WBA (World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association) flyweight (112 lbs.) crowns via split decision.

The Narvacan, Ilocos Sur- born Hawaii-raised Viloria tried his best and gave all but to no avail. We saw how he dominated the first four rounds and we applauded him, but unfortunately in the end he ran out of steam and yielded his two world diadems unexpectedly. He’s the third Filipino pro boxer to yield a world-boxing crown in a span of nine months.

The first was the world famous WBO welterweight champ Manny Pacquiao who was beaten by American Timothy Bradley last June and (WBO) World Boxing Council flyweight titleholder Sonny “Boy” Jaro lost to Japanese Wingsat Saitama last July.

“Viloria lost because he lacked the intelligence quotient,” said boxing buff Jun Velasco in his text message to me just seconds after the fight. “He proved that he’s not a smart champion at all unlike Nonito Donaire. He gave much of his energy in the early rounds but did not store his vitality at the homestretch similar to what he did during his battle against a Colombian fighter named Camara and that caused again his big defeat,” Velasco explained. “Hindi talaga ako bilib sa kanya,” he added.

I second what JunV said. In fact I texted him back and said (in jest) that Viloria should buy a bicycle of his own and ride from Narvacan to Baguio City to improve his resistance, which he needed most especially in a world title clash. Remember, cycling is considered the most strenuous sport in the world. No substitution, no timeout, risky, taxing and with an average of five hours riding along the road.

After Pacquiao, Jaro and Viloria, may be unknown (yet) to you guys so let me add an info about four world boxing champions currently existing. Spearheading the four are Nonito Donaire, Jr. who is scheduled to stake his WBO super bantamweight crown to WBA titlist Guillermo Rigondeaux of Cuba on April 14 (PH time) in New York City. And I believe by the time you read this piece, perhaps the battle is already finished or probably (still) in progress. We should pray and wish him the best of luck. His triumph is also our victory.

The three others are IBF (International Boxing Federation) light flyweight champion John Riel Casimero, WBO light flyweight king Donnie Nietes and newly crowned WBO mini flyweight interim champ Merlito Sabillo who just defeated Colombian Luis de Leon last March 9 via eight round knockout held at de Leon’s own turf Coliseo Mario de Leon in Cerete, Cordoba, Colombia.

What more can we ask? Of course, the Philippines has an abundance of prospect world champions like Milan Melindo, Jason Pagara, the Peñalosa brothers David and Dodie Jr., the come-backing and world-rated Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista, Rodel Mayol and Marvin Sonsona. Let’s wait and see. So far three were already downed, four are still standing and I guess more Filipino world champions to come. This is our sport that we have to be proud of. The record speaks for itself.

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My heartfelt condolence to the Hidalgo family of Bonuan Gueset, Dagupan City for losing their loved one, head of their family Roland, a media colleague. Roland died last week due to lingering illness. He is also a sports fanatic like us and boxing, cycling, basketball and chess were the sports that he liked so much. He used to be the annotator of cycling events during the time of former Gov. Aguedo F. Agbayani and the “OO Na, Takbo Na” races of ex-guv Oscar M. Orbos aside from basketball tournaments. May he rest in peace. 

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Better is a dry morsel with quietness, than a house full of feasting with strife. PROVERBS 17: 1

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