Philippine Sports News and Updates

Tagbilaran City Mayor Dan Neri Lim said Tuesday the success of Filipino fighters overseas has created a sense of urgency to upgrade their skills in the face of growing global competition.

Lim, who is guiding the careers of Bohol contenders Rey (Boom Boom) Bautista and A. J. Banal with ALA stable owner Tony Aldeguer and his son Michael, welcomed the challenge of stiff opposition even as he stressed the importance of being mentally and physically ready for the wars ahead.

We are victims of our own success, said Lim. That only means we must be more prepared for tougher fights. We've gained the respect of the world. Now, we've got to show we deserve it even more.

Lim said the trend in world boxing today has deflated the value of championships and ratings.

“From a business point of view, the belt isn't as important as a fighter's marketability as a pay-per-view attraction, said Lim. Manny Pacquiao revolutionized boxing economics and he's become an institution by himself. It's not about winning championships but earning respect, entertaining the fans and selling tickets. Boxing isn't just a sport, it's also entertainment.

Lim, a lawyer, said he's now negotiating big fights for Bautista and Banal.

Bautista, who recently suffered his first loss in losing to WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon in Sacramento, is expected back in the gym within two weeks and is now doing roadwork.

Banal will take on Mexico's Genaro Camargo for the WBO Youth superflyweight crown in Cebu City on Sept. 30 and if he wins, will join Bautista in a blockbuster card before the year ends.

Lim said he's forming a financial consortium to bankroll a big card, featuring Bautista and Banal, at the Araneta Coliseum in early December. The card may include at least two title fights to be coordinated with WBO Asia-Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo, a Hawaiian of Filipino descent.

Another Bohol fighter, Czar Amonsot, is scheduled to undergo medical tests late this month. If tests show no signs of the slight bleeding outside the brain he sustained in losing a decision to WBO interim lightweight champion Michael Katsidis last July, Amonsot will resume training.

Lim said the priority is to address the fighters limitations so they are well-armed for the future.

What we lack, we must cover for,” said Lim, widely recognized as one of the country's top three city mayors in terms of good governance. “There are competent trainers in the US and we're considering experts like Jeff Mayweather to help us out. Take, for example, Z Gorres who lacks a solid punch. We want to develop his power. Boom Boom lacks head movement and defense so we’ll work on those. We don’t want to be frustrated again.”

Lim said Aldeguer's concern is what drives the fighters to overachieve.

They don't want to disappoint ALA, said Lim. Tony is like their second father. No one has more love and passion for the sport than Tony. He wants only the best for his fighters and that's why they give him their best in return.”

As for newly crowned WBO bantamweight titlist Gerry Peñalosa, Lim said the only challenger who can bring in the dollars is Mexico's Jorge Arce.

Gerry is calling out to Ponce de Leon for a rematch but wants a purse of $350,000, said Lim. I'm not sure if there's a promoter willing to put up the money. Who can afford to give Gerry what he wants? The only opponent I think who could attract a pay-per-view audience is Arce. I know that Gerry is preparing for his future and he's looking for a big payday. Arce could be his ticket.

Lim said he has a pool of some eight Bohol fighters whose ages range from 9 to 17 to start a new generation of future champions.

“There are many more Banals and Bautistas coming up, said Lim. We're getting ready for a new wave. We're also working closely with Sampson Lewkowicz in looking for opportunities to promote Filipino fighters, possibly in Macau which is being transformed into a gold mine like Las Vegas.

Lewkowicz is a Las Vegas-based freelance matchmaker who conceptualized the World Cup of Boxing for Golden Boy Promotions. He manages Indonesia's WBA featherweight champion Chris John who has Chinese roots and has links to a wide range of promoters including Bob Arum, Gary Shaw, the Duva family and the Goosens.

Source: ABS-CBN News