Saturday, February 24, 2007
Quijano: It’s all about heart
By Jingo Quijano
The last round
I AM beginning to like this columnist gig. No, it’s not the free food at the press conferences nor the chance to ogle the round girls who wear skirts shorter than Z’s name. It’s not even the media access pass that allows me to watch the fight for free (although I have to admit, it sure beats shelling out cash that I had to earn studying an opposing counsel’s pleading overnight and then regurgitating it back to him piece by piece the next day).
What I cherish most is getting the chance to hobnob with my newfound media brethren and compare notes. The final press conference and the weigh-in for the Moment of Truth boxing promotion were two such occasions.
I even had the chance to talk to my idol, PDI columnist Recah Trinidad. When I spied him intently observing the weigh-in proceedings, I sauntered over and introduced myself. I grew up reading the Bare Eye, and I can even memorize the title of my favorite piece (The foul that refreshes). It was a column he wrote after the Vargas-Trinidad fight.
Not surprisingly, Recah was very approachable and friendly, and when I told him I was a big fan, he mumbled something about being a mere typist. And just like that, I was humbled and honored at the same time.
THE NEXT GREAT CHAMP? After the press con, the atmosphere was becoming raucous and festive, and because the queue at the buffet table was longer than our national debt, I quietly slipped out of the room to get some fresh air. And who should I see but a young Juan Martin “Bai” Elorde, grandson of the great Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, surrounded by family members quietly having his picture taken underneath a Gorres-Montiel fight streamer displayed at the Waterfront Hotel lobby.
I spoke with the young man for a few minutes and I found him to be personable, sensible and polite, with eyes that glowed like smoldering embers. He’s a southpaw too, just like his grandpa.
Since my father hails from Medellin, the town next to Bogo in northern Cebu, we are quite proud that the greatest Filipino to ever lace on a pair of boxing gloves comes from our neck of the woods. “Bai” is making his professional debut today at 130 lbs and will be seeing action in the undercard. It’s too soon to label him as the next great anything yet, but I wish you good luck Bai. Don’t worry, a few years from now, you will be having your picture taken underneath your very own fight poster and not somebody else’s.
WEIGHING IN. Indonesian Simson Butar Butar brought the house down with his snide one-liner in response to Jimrex Jaca’s comments about getting revenge in behalf of his countrymen. To recall, Butar Butar knocked out Csar Amonsot inside one round last September.
When asked what he thought of “The Executioner,” the chiseled Butar Butar took one look at Jaca, gave the press people a bored, disinterested look and nonchalantly snorted out through an interpreter: “He’ll be just like Amonsot”.
Maybe it’s just me but I thought Montiel looked a little haggard during the weigh-in. I got a dozen buddies (all surnamed Miguel) who think that Z will scrape Montiel’s face all over Jones Ave. and possibly onto R. Landon Street. Any takers?
HEART. You had to be disappointed with Lebron James’ non-effort at the skills challenge during the NBA All-Star Weekend. I am a huge fan of this Cleveland Cavalier and I’m sure countless fans all over the world expected a much better showing.
What was he saving his best for? What’s the point when you’re getting eliminated in the first round, what with Dwayne Wade and Kobe Bryant waiting their turn? It’s the All Star Weekend and it was time to give back to the fans, who have made these guys the superstars that they are.
That my fellow last rounders, is the reason why although I play basketball, I would rather write about the Arturo Gattis and the Mickey Wards of the boxing world. These guys don’t earn even a pittance of what these NBA multi-millionaires get, yet each night they go out and give it their all. They spill their guts, blood, and whatever else may ooze out of their battle-scarred bodies.
On fight night, they kiss and hug their families goodbye knowing that it might be the last time- that there’s a chance they might not come back.
Now, there’s an athlete for you. We have a saying in boxing. You play basketball, badminton, tennis, etc.. but you do not play boxing.
Now go out and drag your butt to the Cebu City Sports Complex tonight to see some real athletes in action. Be part of history in the making. May the guy with the biggest heart win.
THE LAST ROUND. Speaking of heart, this week’s last round is on my compañeros Briccio Boholst and Nilo Balorio, two guys who always give it their all— both in the courts of justice and in the hard-court. Cheers!
(jingo_quijano@yahoo.com)
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (February 24, 2007 issue)
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