Sunday, August 26, 2007 Sports plugged: ‘They treat Pinoy boxers as treasures’ By Rommel C. Manlosa Sun.Star Staff Reporter
THE FILIPINOS have landed in full force in United States boxing.
Thanks to the success brought by the Philippine fighters over the Mexicans in the recently concluded Boxing World Cup in Sacramento, California—we now enjoy unprecedented attention.
The man who tirelessly worked to make this possible is Cebu’s foremost boxing international promoter Sammy Gello-ani.
Sun.Star Sports Plugged was able to squeeze through the busy schedule of the man dubbed “Don King of Cebu,” for a lengthy chat.
What is the impact brought by the World Cup to Philippine boxing industry?
The impact is big. It created so much interest to the youth especially, as the Filipino has shown that we can compete with the other countries, especially the Mexicans. Aside from that it gives the young people a bigger dream to be successful in the field of boxing.
What is the future now of Philippine boxing, now that we had proven that we are at par with the best of the world?
Our win proved that we can be the best in the world and it also opened up everything. It has created so much opportunity that Manny Pacquiao had opened and being stamped by our fighters at the World Cup. The future now is very bright not only for the ALA Gym-based boxers but also for the other Filipino fighters who can also prove that they are world class. A lot of promoters now in the US are eyeing Filipino fighters because now we have proven that aside from our skills, we can also bring money to the gates. The Filipino-Americans are paying their way to watch every Filipino fight. There are now more opportunities for Filipino boxers to fight in the US. It has been unlocked by Manny Pacquiao and the World Cup fighters.
Do you think this has an impact in other sectors?
Yes…it has opened a bigger scale for the Philippine business industry and tourism. Boxing has shown that there is more than itself—as a source of living, it has become luxurious in terms of reward. Now, many foreigners has given us a second look—they are now wondering what the Philippines can offer. They want to come and invest, promote or enjoy what we have here. Advertisements have also gone brisk and we now enjoy a higher level of exposure and for sure we can offer more than what other countries in Asia especially in tourism.
What aspects did the World Cup open up to benefit our country?
Let me put it this way, before there was only Manny Pacquiao, but after World Cup, it has created ripples and opened up more doors. New talents are being discovered—it has also shown that the Philippines can be a good source of entertainers.
Many promoters now are coming to the Philippines, and also it washed out the negative aspects of the Philippines, as it shows that in general, we are a peaceful and united people. It has promoted our country—many businesses will soon open up because there will be more international boxing promotions. Now, the results of our success in the world cup—television business has expanded a lot we can now have worldwide advertisements because there will be mega-fights coming very soon.
Our world cup fighters this year only came from one gym—the ALA Gym, is there opportunity for other gyms to represent the Philippines in the next world cup?
Definitely. Team Philippines is open to everybody. We just started with the ALA Gym because we for a start wanted to showcase that the Filipinos are skilled fighters once they are trained the right way. We wanted to confine it with SGG and ALA fighters (and Wildcard fighters—Gerry Peńalosa and Diosdado Gabi) because we had no time left, we needed to put up a team and train it hard to ensure our success. But for the next, it will be available to everybody. This year, we just wanted to make an impression. Sure, there are many talents outside the ALA Gym and we will tap them next time.
Recently, there were news that Japan and Argentina wanted to challenge us, which country do you prefer?
You know, Golden Boy Promotions has a wide network worldwide. In Japan, they have Honda, in Argentina it is Mario Arano and in the Philippines the ALA Gym of Mr. Antonio Aldeguer. They also have some connections in other nations. As for preference, I don’t have any—it only depends on the availability of the champions. To fight a world cup, there must be at least two world championships. The Philippines, as the defending champions, we are the lead promoters—but it will largely depend on the availability of the champions. Let’s say, for example, if the Japanese champions are willing to fight with our fighters or they have any available champions to fight at that weight limit and on that date. One thing’s for sure, we will be working to defend our title—which country will it be.
What is your program right now to ensure that we will have fresh talents to showcase in the next World Cup?
We are now finalizing the details of this search for new talents with ABS-CBN. We are working hand in hand to start looking for a new breed of boxers. Of course it will involve the youth. We will be looking for good prospects and prepare them for the next level. This is a new development that we laid down for boxing.
Who are the prospective fighters for the Philippines in the next world cup?
Our first priorities are our world champions. Right now, we have three—IBF mini-flyweight champion Florante Condes, IBF flyweight champion Nonito Donaire Jr. and WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Peńalosa, but the question is, can they keep their titles until the next world cup? And second, if they can, are their managers willing to include them in the Philippine team lineup? Our world champions are our first priorities. But that depends on their availability.
What is in store for our fighters at the World Cup?
That is their first step to be known internationally. For sure, they will be booked to have more fights in the US. Aside from that, we will continue to promote them here in the country and to introduce them that they are our World Cup campaigners. We have to preserve their status, there must be continuity and they will have more exposures abroad now.
By the way, what was the key to victory?
The boys fought as a team. They trained as a team, they worked as a team and they are one big family out there in California. They ran together, helped each other, stayed under one roof, they did not feel alone because they were there all along. Speaking one language (Cebuano), ate together and most of all they had fun. That made the difference. I heard that Team Mexico trained individually so they didn’t have the spirit as one team. Second, we asked for fairness. Fairness did uphold the integrity of the World Cup as it showed many countries now want to take part in it.
What are the after effects of the World Cup?
There are big things that are happening right now. There are many businessmen wanting to venture into boxing. Not just small time but big time and international level promotions. Even foreign promoters came to the Philippines to promote boxing here. And promoters in the US realized that there is money coming in for the Filipino fighters. They just realized that the Filipinos in America are willing to pay good money just to see Filipino fighters. And you can just imagine most big time promotions in the US will now have Filipino boxers fighting in the undercard just to attract those Filipinos to the venue or in their homes watching pay-per-view events. They helped promoters with the gate revenues because Filipinos are paying audiences.
How can we preserve the spirit of the World Cup among the Filipinos, especially those who are not really boxing fans?
Every boxing event which involved high profile boxers will be focused on to the next World Cup. Since we opened the quest for the next team composition, every boxing promotion (in the country) is a continuing search. We will continue to scout for the next team members to keep that World Cup fever going until the next World Cup, which will be next year.
Are you still planning to host a world cup event here in the country?
Yes, I always wanted to hold it here in the Philippines but the cost is too much. We need at least $1.5 million to stage one. But if we have champions and their managers are willing to receive lesser amount it is viable. The key here is to sacrifice for the retention of our title, their willingness to accept less money to suit our budget. The key is for our world champions to do the sacrifice for our nation’s glory.
How did the world cup begin?
It was conceived by the men we called the Picassos of boxing—Sampson Lewkowicz and WBO vice-president Leon Panoncillo Jr. Just after the tsunami that hit Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia. It was then presented to Oscar de la Hoya who is very enthusiastic about the concept of having two nations fighting for one cup. Oscar designed the cup himself. The first world cup was held at the Desert Diamond Casino in Tucson, Arizona between Mexico and Thailand. Mexico won the contest, 5-1, with Daniel Ponce de Leon and Johnny Gonzales winning their titles in that card. It was a beautiful beginning, which opened up a rivalry for dominance between countries.
How did the World Cup change the image of Filipino boxers?
Before, Filipino boxers who will fight in the US were what we call “diers” or patsies. We had been known for being journeymen, mercenary boxers. Worse, most of the boxers who went to the States won’t go back home at all. Mag-TNT. But the change started with Manny Pacquiao and it was completely changed after the World Cup. They have all the respects now for Filipino boxers. They treat them as treasures. And we have Golden Boy Promotions to thank for that.
Just what did you do to pull through with the World Cup?
It was really a tough job. Going through a lot of phone calls and traveling a lot was really tiring. But that’s what my job is, ensuring that it would go through. But, honestly, the World Cup could not be done without Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista. He made my job a lot easier because Golden Boy Promotions very much wanted him, HBO wanted him. It was just unfortunate that the result of his fight was not as what we had expected but we all owe it to him. It was not an easy job, but I’m glad we did it because we made it through. Winning the World Cup at 5-1 is a very satisfying job.
After so many heartaches, the 2007 Boxing World Cup has become the turning point of Philippine boxing. The young men who trained hard to unseat the Philippines gave their all and pulled through expectations.
