My second world title watch

By Jesus A. Garcia

BY the time this piece comes out, the world title fight between Filipino World Boxing Organization (WBO) flyweight champion Brian Viloria and number one contender Giovanni Segura of Mexico on December 11 (PH time) may still be in progress or already done. The two well-known boxers in the lower division are both confident that they will win by knockout or a clear decision. The Narvacan, Ilocos Sur-born Viloria, toting card of 29 wins with 16 knockouts and three defeats is slightly favored over the Chicano Segura who boasts of a record of 28 victories, one loss and a draw with a frightening 24 stoppages.

I was invited to watch the battle ‘in the flesh’ at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City and definitely I will be there. As I said before, boxing is my numero dos favorite sport and I don’t want to miss this huge occasion. This will be my second time to watch a world title fight in boxing and I know I will enjoy the clash like what I experienced during the Juan Manuel Marquez-Jimrex Jaca world featherweight bout held at Dodge Arena in Hidalgo, Texas on November 25, 2006. I will never forget that date because it was my first time to watch a world crown tiff on site. It’s my habit to treasure ‘first times’ that happen in my life, especially if the sporting event is as prestigious and monumental like this coming Viloria-Segura tilt. Unlike some usual non-title bouts that were done here in the Philippines at night time, the undercard bout starts at 9:00 a.m. and the title bout is speculated to start at noon time to accommodate the live beam to U.S. and Mexico, where it would be Saturday evening then. Reports say the two Mexican boxing legends Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Pacquiao’s former nemesis Marco Antonio Barrera will both come to annotate the blow-by-blow account of the skirmish to their country over Azteca channel. I hope I could meet the two.

The Waipahu, Hawaii raised-Viloria, nicknamed “The Hawaiian Punch”, is slightly favored over his opponent despite Segura being ranked No. 9 in the Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound list (Ring Magazine is considered as the bible of boxing). The reason is he’s fighting in his motherland and is sure to get the moral support of the Filipinos. The two protagonists were former sparring partners during their amateur days and so they both know each other well. Probably I can give you some “behind the scenes” story on my next column about the fight.

*     *     *     *

Latest report that reached me about the controversial basketball gold medal match between Lyceum Northwestern University-Dagupan City and La Union College of Nursing and Science during the PRISAA Region 1 Meet is it has been settled. The host squad (LNU) gets the nod on technicality, that’s according to LNU’s head coach Angel Gumarang. I wrote here last week about the protest of Gumarang against the La Union squad for fielding an ineligible player named Renbert A. Bayo who turned out to be the big factor for the Gumarang boys’ defeat.

“Thanks to Atty. Gonzalo Duque,” said Gumarang. “The controversy is already resolved so now we can concentrate on our training for the PRISAA National Games to be held in Cebu City sometime in April next year. This is a morale booster for the squad, to officially represent our region.”

Hopefully I can be in Cebu City, too, this month, but with a different mission, for a cycling race with my partner there, Joe Deresas and the Garcias of Cebu.

Belated kudos to the LNU squad for defeating the PBA Legends/Movie Stars team, 76-71, during their friendly and comical match held last November 29 at LNU gym.

*     *     *     *

QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Then the angel Gabriel said to Mary, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name JESUS. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of his father David. And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” LUKE 1: 30-33

Back to Homepage

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments