Moralde a no-show in Davraa boxing
Monday, March 15, 2010
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PANABO CITY -- Iran Asian Youth Boxing Championships bronze medalist Engelbert Moralde of Davao City was a no-show in Monday morning's weigh-in at the Panabo Central Elementary School, thus denying him a chance to compete in the Davao Region Athletic Association (Davraa) Meet 2010 boxing tournament.
But Davao City's loss, however, may just turn out to be the country's gain as Moralde, who hails from Buhangin, is busy training in Manila for the biggest event of his life - the World Youth Boxing Championships set in Baku, Azerbaijan early next month.
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Davraa boxing tournament Ramon Revamonte, in an interview with Sun.Star, said RP youth boxing coach Elmer Pamisa called to inform him that Moralde is now training with them for the upcoming World Youth event.
"We already had our weigh-in and since Moralde wasn't able to come, he could no longer compete," Reamonte said.
Davao City athletic manager Jimmy Cerrojales, meanwhile, said he regretted the non-participation of Moralde in the Davraa Meet.
"It is very unfortunate. He is one great boxer who could really lift the city's bid for the boxing championship that Davao del Norte held for the past years," Cerrojales said.
Revamonte also said he was told by Davao City camp that the two-time Palarong Pambansa gold medalist was coming today but he didn't show up.
"We can't bend rules. It is in the amateur boxing rules that a boxer who doesn't show up in weigh-in could not fight anymore. Moralde chose to play for the country," Revamonte said.
He, however, said Moralde can't be all too certain to win the gold medal in the 48 kilograms event of the Davraa slugfest had he showed up.
"Panabo's Raffy Cavan, who won a gold in the Palawan national amateur boxing event recently, is no pushover. Cavan may have reduced from 51 kilograms to 48 kilograms but he is still the same power puncher who could beat Moralde," Revamonte said.
Davao City is left with three boxers including Moralde's brother, John Vincent, Kin Rober Galon and Mark Batuto. (MLSA)
