Saturday, August 04, 2007 Cebu to host boxing reality show
CEBU boxing is seen to grow even bigger in the coming months after television giant ABS-CBN decided to make the province the center of its boxing show.
By September, a new boxing reality show will open its doors for young and aspiring prize fighters.
“We call it ‘The Search for the Next Boxing Idol’ or simply Idolo. A reality boxing show which will go down deeper into the grassroots and it will be only for the Visayas and Mindanao, fighters from Luzon area who want to join must have to go to Cebu to join,” ABS-CBN head of the Regional Network Group (RNG) Rolando Valdueza told Sun.Star Cebu.
Lessons
The project is done in cooperation with the ALA Gym and SGG Sports Promotions, the main architect of the project.
“In the past we had a reality boxing show but it did not last long. This time we have learned our lessons and working with a professional group like the ALA Gym made us resolve to put our heart into it,” added Valdueza.
ABS-CBN had the “Knockout” boxing program back in 1998 but it lasted only for one season.
In 2005, they launched the boxing reality program “Kamao,” which was patterned after “The Contender,” a show hosted by action star Sylvester Stallon and boxing icon Sugar Ray Leonard. But just like its predecessor, it only lasted for one season.
“We found out that there are things missing but now we are sure that this one is going to have an impact. Idolo, that’s what we call it because, our search started from the grassroots and this is not just a show but this is a way to create a new sensation – a future superstar,” Valdueza said.
Center of boxing
Valdueza is confident that this project will go a long way since they partnered with an organization that has been a strong player in the boxing industry for the past 20 years.
“We will make Cebu as the center of boxing in the Philippines and with the talents we have from the Visayas and Mindanao, I am confident that this project will go a long, long way,” he added.
ABS-CBN, ALA Gym and SGG Sports Promotion are now on the final stage of preparations for the project, which will be launched next month. (RCM)
