Saturday, January 20, 2007 GCSOC, ALA start tie-up with boxing til
TO signify the start of a good working relationship with ALA Boxing Stadium, Greater Cebu Sports Organizing Committee (GCSOC) initiated the Atan Guardo Amateur Boxing Competitions, which gets underway tomorrow at the Gaisano Country Mall.
Jonathan Guardo, the founder and chairman of GCSOC, said the project marks the start of their linkage with ALA, which had agreed to work with the group for the Arafura Games through its head, boxing patron Antonio Aldeguer.
“Technically, I am just renewing my support for the team as I have been a consistent supporter of the ALA boxers before,” Guardo said in yesterday’s press conference at the Baseline Restaurant.
GCSOC executive director Allan Torrevillas said the competition will also serve as preparation for the Arafura, where the group has agreed to send at least four boxers to the meet in May.
ALA boxing head coach Peter Cuizon said the competition came at a right time as it will double as training and added exposure for his young pugs who are bound for the Central Visayas Regional Athletic Association (CVRAA) slated in March.
More areas
Guardo wants the tournament to be held either once or twice every month to provide more areas for competition for the young boxers.
Meanwhile, Guardo hampered any possible criticisms that will be hurled against him for this new project he is embarking on.
“If I am using this for the elections, it would not have been held in Banilad but somewhere in the South,” said Guardo, who is running for congress in Cebu City’s South district.
Nine bouts will be featured in the competition, which will be a virtual battle between Cebu and Mandaue pugs against the selection from Tagbilaran and Bacolod.
The opening match will showcase Tagbilaran’s Eugene Ladesa against Arde Boyose in the 30kg class. Next up is Bernard Torres, who will exchange blows with Dan Lou Codilla in the 34 kg battle.
Pitting skills
CVRAA qualifiers Gino Cabugngan and Brando Tabares and Brandon Tabares battle it out in the 36kg class. The other CVRAA-bound boxers taking part in the tournament are Jomar Codillo who will go up against Ferdinand Go in the 42kg, Joshua Odtuhan who will pit skills with Jomare Yuson in the 45kg division and Welbith Loberanis who takes on Kevin Baunsit in the 48 kg.
Those who are eyed for the Arafura slots are Gerald Nietes, who will face Joseph Von Miñoza in the 51 kg bout. Miñoza is a gold medalist in the Batang Pinoy in 2001 and the National Youth Open in 2003. James Bacon, a silver medal winner in the Batang Pinoy, will face Ramy Crisostomo in the 57 kg. draw.
The other Arafura Games hopefuls are National Youth Open gold winner Alde de Zosa and Rolito Ningasca. (MCB)
