THE past week was a bustling one for the Philippine boxing community as the best Filipino pugilists—from the past and the present—as well as major stakeholders like the managers and promoters, gathered together in two major events.
Putting in a major significance and prestige to both the events was the attendance and active participation of no less than the president of the World Boxing Council, Mauricio Sulaiman.
The amiable Mexican executive joined the Elorde family in honoring the top Filipino boxers of last year during the 16th Gabriel “Flash” Elorde Boxing Awards Banquet of Champions at the Hotel Sofitel Manila.
Among those honored were back-to-back awardees World Boxing Organization lightfly king Donnie Nietes and International Boxing Organization miniflyweight titlist Rey Loreto. Also in attendance to receive special citations were former WBC superfeatherweight champion Rolando Navarette, the fighter called “Bad Boy” from Dadiangas (General Santos City).
Navarette, who now makes both ends meet from dole-outs and can barely walk, had his right fist cast for display at the boxing museum soon to be erected at the Elorde Sports Complex.
Sulaiman never failed to give tribute to Filipino champions like Gabriel Elorde and Navarette whose career he has followed back when he was tagging along with his father, Don Jose.
“Boxing is the sport that brings opportunities to the less fortunate in the world. Boxing gives greatest moments to countries that usually do not have success in other areas, and it was Gabriel Elorde, idol of my dear father, Jose Sulaiman, who gave this great country, honor and glory by showing his greatness of an extraordinary boxer,” said Sulaiman.
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The next day, Sulaiman flew to the City of Smiles, Bacolod, to attend the 2016 Convention of the Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation, that was attended by more than 200 delegates from member countries like China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and Philippines.
Sulaiman actively participated in the deliberations on innovations in officiating and judging. The Bacolod City Council also came up with a resolution making the charismatic Sulaiman an adopted son of Bacolod City.
On the final day of the convention, Sulaiman was treated to a slam-bang Triple Championships that lived up to expectation with two matches ending up by stoppages and the other in a split draw.
Hard-punching Carlo Magale of Highland Boxing wrested the OPBF Bantamweight Silver title following a technical decision over local favorite Mark Gil Melligen while Rene Dacquel of Japan-based United Boxing Gym knocked out Thai Lucky Thor Buamas in the 8th of their 12 round OPBF Superflyweight Silver championship tussle.
Magale, who gained notoriety for fatally knocking out an Australian foe for the IBF Asia title last year, punished Melligen with solid punches to the head and body all night long and was ahead by a mile on the judges’ scorecards when the fight was stopped due accidental head butt in the middle of the 10th canto.
Ring doctor found Melligen unfit to continue as he sustained a deep cut on his right upper eyelid. He also has cuts on the left eyebrow and bruises on his faces, all caused by legitimate punches.
Magale, who improved his record to 20 wins (11 KOs), 7 losses and 3 draws, now has two regional belts and is looking forward to finally nail a crack at a world title.
“There’s an offer for him to defend his IBF Asia title and we are also looking at going for the regular OPBF championship belt. One or two more wins and Carlo is ready to get a world title fight,” said Santig, who promoted the Triple Championship with Naris Singwangcha.
The other OPBF silver title fight in the bantamweight division between Rey Megrino and Japan-based Jonathan Baat ended in a split draw with two judges giving the win to each of the fighter and the third scoring it even.
