Tiger defies Father Time

So what if Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) superfeatherweight champion Tiger Ari turned 34 last June 30? Like vintage wine, he gets better with age. His secret? No vices.

Ari takes his career seriously. He’s dedicated. His focus is unflinching. When he’s inside the ring, Ari is a picture of confidence because he’s always well-trained. He’s got all the tools – he packs a mean wallop, he has a vast repertoire of punches, he’s smart, he’s tough to hit, and he’s durable.

Ari hasn’t lost since dropping a disputed 10-round decision to former world titlist and Thai hero Samart Payakaroon in Bangkok in January 1994 – seven years ago. Samart retired after the fight — an indication that he, too, wasn’t convinced of his victory.

Boxing is in Ari’s bloodline. His father Oscar Olivetti, who fought as Oscar Reyes, reigned as Philippine and Oriental junior lightweight king in 1962. Oscar turned pro in 1952 and campaigned for over 13 years. He has eight children, including five boys who all became prizefighters – Berlin, Romy, Oscar Jr., Eder (named after the legendary Brazilian Hall of Famer Eder Jofre) or Tiger Ari, and Dino. Only Ari and Dino remain active in the ring today.

Dino is the Philippine superbantamweight champion. He’s booked to battle Kiattisak Chocchoi for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) International 122-pound title in Bangkok on Aug. 22. The title was relinquished by Manny Pacquiao when he fought for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) crown. Dino is fresh from scoring a unanimous decision over Pacquiao’s brother Bobby to retain his Philippine crown.

It was Ari’s former manager Ruben Ortiz who gave him his ring name. Ortiz owned a company called Ari Industries Manila. His trading partner was a Japanese named Noburo Arikawa. So Ortiz named all his fighters Ari – Boy Blanca was Cobra Ari, Jonathan Penalosa was Sharp Ari, Oscar Olivetti, Jr. was Lion Ari, and Eder Olivetti was Tiger Ari. Although Ortiz no longer manages Eder, he is still known as Tiger Ari.

Ari’s manager Gabriel (Bebot) Elorde, Jr. yesterday told The STAR he’s lobbying for the WBC to rank the Biñan, Laguna, stylist No. 1 in the 130-pound class. Elorde said WBC superfeatherweight champion Floyd Mayweather is rumored to be vacating the throne to move up to the lightweight ranks. If Mayweather exits, the WBC will tap the No. 1 and No. 2 contenders to dispute the vacant title.

Elorde said he has been promised by OPBF President Frank Quill of Australia and WBC International Championship Committee Chairman Mauro Betti of Italy that they will push for Ari’s elevation in the ratings. Ari is now ranked No. 4.

"Walang tatalo kay Tiger sa Asia," said Elorde. "For seven years, walang talo si Tiger. Kung makapasok siya sa ratings ng No. 1 or even No. 2, tiyak na makakalaban siya for the world title pagumakyat sa lightweight si Mayweather."

Ranked ahead of Ari are No. 1 Jesus Chavez of Mexico, No. 2 Sirimongkol Singmansak of Thailand, and No. 3 Kengo Nagashima of Japan. Curiously, two Asians are rated on top of the OPBF champion — an apparent anomaly or a shameful oversight.

Elorde said he expects Ari to fight for the WBC crown late this year or early the next. Two months ago, Elorde turned down a $50,000 offer for Ari to challenge World Boxing Organization (WBO) champion Acelino Freitas of Brazil because it would’ve meant giving up the OPBF crown.

Since regaining the OPBF belt in November 1999, Ari has repulsed five straight challengers. Each defense is worth at least $20,000 — not a bad paycheck, considering the worth of the US dollar against the Philippine peso. If Ari logs three defenses a year, he’ll pocket over P3.2 Million — more than enough to make life comfortable for his wife Jenny and their two children Dina, 10, and Jaybee 7.

Last Sunday, Ari halted Kazunori Fujita at 0:14 of the second round to retain his OPBF diadem in Okayama. He nearly decked Fujita with a right hook in the first stanza and left the Japanese with a gaping wound over his left eye. According to matchmaker Joe Koizumi, Fujita’s owner cornermen asked Korean referee Jae Bong Kim to seek the ringside physician’s advice on whether the fight could go on. The doctor ruled Fujita unfit to continue.

It was only Fujita’s second loss. Last year, he lost to Ari on a split decision. Elorde said Fujita’s camp has offered a $20,000 purse for a third fight. "Alam mo naman ’yung mga Hapon, habang natatalo, lalong nanggigigil," noted Elorde whose father Gabriel, the Flash, figured in five classic bouts against perennial Japanese opponent Teruo Kosaka.

Ari turned pro in 1984 when he was 17. He won his first OPBF junior lightweight title in 1992 and lost it in his third defense to Eun Sik Lee in Seoul a year later. Ari has fought once in the US, outpointing Russell Mosley in 1995. He is unbeaten in his last 28 fights. His overall record is 59-5-3, with 25 KOs.