Sporting Chance

In 1992, Cebu prospect Noel Tunacao lost a unanimous 12-round decision to Hiroki Ioka in a bid for the World Boxing Association (WBA) junior flyweight title in Kitakyushi, Japan.

Since the defeat to Ioka, Tunacao dreamed that someday, his younger brother Malcolm will get the same chance to fight for a world crown and accomplish what he failed to do.

On May 19, half of Tunacao's dream will come true. Malcolm battles World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion Medgeon Toyota-Thailand, formerly 3-K Battery, in Udonthani, an hour's plane ride northeast of Bangkok, for a place in history. If Malcolm wins, then the other half of his brother's dream will come true, too.

No Filipino fighter reigns as WBC or WBA champion today. Joma Gamboa is recognized as the WBA interim minimumweight king but until he beats injured regular titlist Noel Arambulet of Venezuela, Joe Koizumi's protege remains a step away from the throne. Gamboa is at best a champion-in-waiting.

Of course, there are two Filipinos wearing World Boxing Federation (WBF) title belts -- featherweight Orlando Villaflor and junior lightweight Joselito Rivera. But you and I know how prestigious the WBF is. No boxing buff worth his salt takes the WBF seriously. For the record, the WBF has four titles vacant and recognizes five Thai world champions. In Asia, it's common knowledge that Thai promoters butter the WBF's bread.

Malcolm turned pro two years ago and has compiled a perfect 10-0 record, with six knockouts. Thai impresario Virat Vachirratanawong handpicked the Cebu youngster as Medgeon's next challenger because he's not supposed to be a threat. Malcolm is ranked No. 25 by the WBC but the word is Virat has "arranged" for his ascension to at least No. 10 in the latest ratings to legitimize the title fight in Udonthani.

Malcolm's most recent outing was a disaster. He staked his Philippine flyweight crown against Buddy Carl Ledama, a brawler from Davao, last January. Alas, during a break, Ledama struck Malcolm on the throat. Malcolm fell helplessly on the canvas, couldn't continue and was declared winner by disqualification. He was rushed to the hospital for extensive tests and was advised to take a long rest from the ring. Perhaps, the tragic news reached Virat.

Malcolm hasn't beaten any fighter of note--his 10 victims were novices, pretenders and has-beens and he's never fought overseas. But there's no question the kid's got potential. He's 5-6 and his manager Rex (Wakee) Salud swears he can put you to sleep with a single blow. Malcolm's a southpaw yet ironically, his most lethal weapon is a right hook.

Malcolm was six when he began training to box. As an amateur, businessman Tony Aldeguer took care of him. When he turned pro, Salud took over the reins.

In training for Medgeon, Malcolm has been merciless. He's beaten up sparmates Joel Avila, Reglo Mangubat, and Celso Danggud black and blue. So far, Salud said his boy has sparred about 50 rounds and he looks indestructible.

Salud confided that Virat initially offered a paltry $3,000 purse for Malcolm but later raised it to $7,000. In the one-sided fight contract, the shrewd Virat stipulated a two-option clause in case Medgeon loses -- he'll pay Malcolm only $10,000 for the first option and $20,000 for the second.

Salud admitted Virat is badly shortchanging Malcolm. The consolation is Malcolm will be fighting for a world title. And Salud is convinced he'll win.

"Mahirap tamaan si Malcolm at mabigat sumuntok -- may tulog si Medgeon," said Salud.

Malcolm's problem is he hasn't studied Medgeon's style on tape. Medgeon's third round knockout of Manny Pacquiao last September won't provide any lessons. Pacquiao had lost the WBC title -- it was declared vacant -- on the scales the day before and faced Medgeon just to earn his paycheck. He hardly put up a fight. To claim the vacant crown, Medgeon had to beat Pacquiao in the ring--and he did it without raising a sweat.

Salud said he wasn't able to source a tape of Medgeon in action. So Malcolm, without the benefit of scouting his opponent, will fight Medgeon by instinct.

Medgeon is unbeaten like Malcolm. The Thai's record is 20-0, with 12 knockouts. He's made a habit of tormenting Filipinos. Of his 20 victims, 18 were Filipinos.

Last February, Medgeon scored a lopsided unanimous 12-round verdict over Japanese Masaki Kawabata in the first defense of his WBC 112-pound diadem in Samut Sakorn. Kawabata nearly fell in the ninth and 10th rounds but somehow, managed to stay on his feet. A judge was Angeles City-based New Zealander Bruce McTavish who scored it a 120-105 shutout for Medgeon.

Tunacao and trainer Brix Flores leave for Bangkok tomorrow. Salud will join them in the Thai capital on May 16 then they'll take off for Udonthani that same day. Games and Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Dominador Cepeda and Commissioner Hermogenes Arayata will be at ringside to provide moral support and make sure the Filipino is treated fairly.

Australian Brian McMahon, who was a judge when Pacquiao knocked out Chatchai Sasakul for the WBC flyweight crown in Bangkok in 1998, will be the referee. Judges will be Australian Gus Mercurio, Japanese Kodai Komasaki, and American Gary Ritter. In 1998, Ritter was on the judges' panel when Luisito Espinosa scored an 11th round technical decision over Juan Carlos Ramirez to retain the WBC featherweight title in Texas.

Will Malcolm do better than his brother? Will Medgeon allow it? Salud is optimistic his boy will bring home the bacon. Let's hope so.