Boxing's other promoters

Boxing is experiencing today something it has never had before in Philippine boxing history. Thanks to Manny Pacquiao, boxing is abuzz with activity not only as a sport but as a business especially for those who know their stuff.

For Cebu boxing, ALA promotions has been hands-down a top-of-mind mention as the top outfit in the country, or maybe even the region. They’re not only increasing the activities through Pinoy Pride and the Summit or Cobra Fight Night series. They’re also now striking it hot in the business side of things. But that’s ALA. Admittedly, we have in a way paid more attention to them, forgetting that there are other outfits that are also busy with their own activities right here in Cebu. And this is what makes Cebu Boxing second to none in the country. Three outfits stand out as the other set of promoters who are also out to produce world-class boxers in their own little way. They each have their own management and operational styles, a result of the friendly competition that promoters have among themselves. The good news is that they are now receiving the support of other parties who are also out to push boxing. Crucial here is a TV partner that’s willing to cover, produce and air the fights on TV. Another important element are sponsors who are also now coming out to support boxing today. So who’s out there? The month of October alone is a simple proof of this.

Among the old reliables in the trade is Sammy Gello-ani of SGG Promotions. He put up a card last night at the Hoops Dome, featuring two former world champions in “Marvelous” Marvin Sonsona and John Riel Casimero. His TV partner for last night was TV 5’s AKTV. SGG also promotes other boxers like Froilan Saludar, Ciso Morales and Rey Labao, and he also has linkages with managers nationwide. Many might observe that we haven’t seen too much of SGG in Cebu lately, and this is because many of his events have taken place in other areas like Cavite and Manila. He has also had to accompany boxers to fights abroad. It comes as a pleasant surprise that SGG is back in Cebu since his last event in May 2010. Here’s hoping that he holds more events here.

Another experienced person in the boxing business is Rex “Wakee” Salud. He’s better known for his initials “RWS” in the boxing circle. Being a close adviser of Manny Pacquiao led him to somehow slow down in boxing promotions in the past three to four years, but it now looks like he’s back on track in putting up fight cards. Last weekend had RWS taking his show to Liloan where his boxer Marlon Tapales defeated Mobile Martin Mubiru of Uganda in a ten-round slugfest. His other top prospect is Marco Demecillo Singwancha who TKO’d ex-RWS boxer Louie Bantigue for the interim super flyweight championship of the Philippines in the same card. RWS has found a partner in Thai promoter Naris Singwancha who has supported all of RWS’s events. He even sponsors boxers nationwide who now carry the Singwancha name. The RWS-Singwancha partnership has brought boxing to the towns in the probinsya such as Sibonga, Liloan and Negros Oriental. At the Liloan fights, Singwancha gave a bonus of $200 to each boxer who by knock-out. Among Singwancha’s top prospects is Denver Cuello Singwancha of the Aljoe Jaro stable. Cuello is now in Mexico where he recently won and is scheduled to fight again later this month. RWS partnered with GMA 7 Sports on his last venture. It now looks like the “Kapuso” network refuses to be left behind by ABS-CBN which has taken off with its Pinoy Pride series. RWS is hopeful that with Singwancha’s help and GMA’s reach, he’ll be able to push the careers of the many other Cebu-based top boxers in his fold.

A rookie in the business although not a stranger to the sport is former world champion Gerry Peñalosa who manages his own “GerryPens Promotions.” His last event was the “Dugong Kampeon” series at the Hoops Dome held two weeks ago. It featured the seventh straight win of Dodie Boy Peñalosa Jr. and the debut of Dave Peñalosa, sons of former two-time world champion Dodie Boy. Gerry also supports the career of Michael Fareñas and the comebacking Eden Sonsona. GMA 7 partnered with GerryPens in this event and another that they put up last August. Gerry still has a lot of things to learn about the business, but it looks like he’s dead serious in his quest to produce a world champ.

At the end of the day, Cebu Boxing has proven that there is room for four boxing outfits to promote fight cards for the hundreds of boxers who dream of becoming world champions. True, they each have their own styles. Some are perceived to be better than the others, while some don’t mind doing their own thing. But the big winner of all this is Cebu Boxing. Promoters galore, the merrier the more!

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 Time-out: To our friends at Smart BRO, thanks for the quick action on our concern. You acted quickly to maintain a customer instead of letting him go. >>> Happy birthday to my sister Dra. Joy Navarro out there in Shreveport. >>> You can reach me at [email protected].