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Friday, July 21, 2006
Sayson: A ‘scapegoat’ called Ablaca
By Homer Sayson
Secondovertime
CHICAGO – He probably isn’t as creative as Buddy McGirt, and he definitely isn’t nearly as scientific as the prolific Freddie Roach, the ringmaster credited for turning Manny Pacquiao into The Destroyer.
But even with only his modest credentials, Juanito Ablaca is a good trainer, who has proven his worth in both the amateur and professional ranks. A RP mini-flyweight contender in his younger years, Ablaca is thorough, meticulous and results oriented.
Between his stints with the Antonio L. Aldeguer (ALA) stable, the Terry Carter stable, and now with Wakee Salud, Ablaca has produced several world champions, elevating him among the most respected in his craft.
In the heels, however, of Randy Suico’s one-sided defeat at the hands of WBA lightweight champ Juan Diaz last July 15 in Las Vegas, several boxing fans are calling for Ablaca to be fired immediately from Kumong Bato’s corner.
Just like that, axe him, they say. Never mind if he had been with Randy for almost eight years now, never mind the many yesterdays that both boxer and trainer has shared over the years.
Just like that, give Ablaca the pink slip, they insist. Never mind the good and bad times he and Suico has been through together. Never mind the joys and sorrows they’ve shared in a partnership that has produced one OPBF crown and a shot at a world title.
The concert of cries for Ablaca’s dismissal can be heard and read at the Forum section of Philboxing.com, where so-called fight aficionados are condemning Ablaca with the fervor of fire-and-brimstone evangelists.
Having seen the Diaz-Suico fight, I wondered where the jab and the separation was and why Randy failed to exploit his three-inch height advantage. I was also perplexed why the Mandaue City pug tried to match Diaz in throwing voluminous punches.
Randy, the heavier puncher, should have conserved his energy and should have thrown only quality blows that might have eventually broken down the champion.
You see, it’s easy for us to devise plans now, way after the fact. But poor Ablaca didn’t have such luxury.
But really, truth of the matter is, if the Suico-Diaz bout was a game of Texas hold ’em poker, Diaz was holding a pair of aces before the flop, while Suico only had, at best, a queen and a jack of suit. In other words, Randy was dominated.
Even if the great Freddie Roach were in Suico’s corner that Saturday night, the outcome would stay the same. So why fire Ablaca?
Personally, I hope Ablaca this public relations typhoon. He should be judged according to his body of work, not on one fight, where the odds (7-1 at fight night) where stacked heavily against Suico.
Unless he volunteers to give it up, being the trainer of Randy Suico is Ablaca’s job to keep. He earned it. He deserves it.
EMAILS. Here’s two of the many letters I received on the above subject. From Paul Clarin (pj_clarin@yahoo.com.ph): “I watched the Diaz-Suico fight, and it was really a mismatch. The only thing I can say about Randy Suico is that his physical condition was very tough, he managed to take all those punches from Diaz until the ninth round.
“Sad to say, his defense was very weak, his footwork was ugly. I think he needs help from great trainers like Buddy McGirt, Jeff Fenich, or Teddy Atlas.”
And finally, from my good pal Roger Vallena (rojval69@yahoo.com) of Sun.Star Superbalita: “Nothing personal, but I think it’s time for Randy Suico to let go of Joe Kouizumi as his manager and Juanito Ablaca as his trainer. Why not try Freddie Roach?
“Look at Bobby Pacquiao now. He used to be an easy target, but under Roach’s wing, Bobby has improved dramatically. His footwork is very fluid now and his counter-punching skills are awesome.”
(homsay@hotmail.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (July 21, 2006 issue)
Write letter to the editor.Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board.Click here. |
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