New boxing talk show airs soon

A TALK show dedicated to boxing aficionados will soon make it in television homes as the Countryside Associated Television (CAT Network) premieres “Inside Ringside,” a one-hour-and-a-half talk show on the latest scenes, stories, and updates in the boxing world.

“Inside Ringside aims to propagate an even greater awareness for the sport as viewers get an inside look at the sport that gave recognition to Filipinos as an indomitable world class ring athlete,” the network said in a statement.

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The program will be hosted by veteran broadcaster Mon Liboro and boxing columnist Dennis Prinsipe, whose goal is to provide a “common media venue” for industry movers to exchange commentaries and ideas on the status of Philippine boxing.

In a sport currently dominated by world’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao, the program devoted a special segment “Pacman Prodigies” in honor of the Filipino ring icon.

“The segment seeks to cultivate athlete recognition and develop sustainable fan support for promising fighters. This will allow fight fans to follow the rising stars of Philippine boxing as they blaze their way glory in the countryside circuit,” it said.

CAT Network through its President and CEO Jeff M. Manibay meanwhile recognizes the challenges faced by local boxing promoters in the provinces.

He said there is a need to develop the country’s boxing program by having a a broader support system that will allow provincial boxing promoters attract bigger audiences and stage more fights.

“No one in recent history has achieved the boxing prominence the Philippines currently enjoys. The glory that Manny Pacquiao has achieved will go to waste if nothing is done to propagate support in the local level. We need to cultivate the source,” Manibay said.

The CAT Network channel 8 also resumed last week “Blow by Blow,” a program that airs mateur boxing fights. The 35-year-old show had former world champion Gerry Penalosa and Pacquiao as discoveries. (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)