A treat at Aliw

Here’s something different for sports fans.

Broadcast magnate Freddie Elizalde’s events group and veteran matchmaker Jun Sarreal are staging a boxing card, with a showbiz twist, that’s guaranteed to bring the house down at the Aliw Theater on Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, this Sunday.

The main event features former Philippine flyweight champion Edgar Rodrigo, whose claim to fame is a knockout win over Golden Boy prospect and Tony Aldeguer protege Z Gorres, versus Wanmeechok Singwangcha of Thailand in a 10-round Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) title eliminator.

There are other slambang bouts in the bill.

In the top aperitif, Jack Maldecir takes on Elmer Muyco for the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation superflyweight crown. Jonel Alibio faces Junifel Aclo in an eight-round featherweight contest. Francis Borreros tangles with Roel Santos while Jun Piasidad meets Randy Canon in a pair of four-rounders to open the show.

But what’s generating widespread interest in the Aliw extravaganza is a series of three-rounders starring popular showbiz personalities. The four "celebrity" bouts pit Rommel Montano versus Andrew Wolff, Christian Vasquez versus Paolo Paraiso, Polo Ravales versus a still-to-be-named amateur fighter and Bayani Agbayani versus a still-to-be-named amateur fighter. Each round is scheduled for two minutes.

Sarreal, whose late father Lope, Sr. has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in New York for his contributions to the sport as a promoter, said it took over five months to assemble the card.

"Cesar Montano was supposed to fight but we couldn’t pin him down to commit to a date because of his busy schedule," said Sarreal. "But we were able to get a commitment from his brother Rommel who has been training at the Aldeguer gym in Bohol. Cesar, however, will be in Rommel’s corner for the fight."

Sarreal said the celebrities are raring to show their wares in the ring.

"They’re not fighting to be embarrassed," said Sarreal. "They’re fighting to win. I was told Polo Ravales’ girlfriend Ara Mina might be in his corner. And Paolo Paraiso’s wife Mylene Dizon might also be in his corner."

Sarreal said the boxing boom, ignited by Manny Pacquiao, hasn’t spared showbiz stars who’re riding the fight bandwagon to keep fit and trim.

"The celebrities are training hard at the Mojo gym near the ABS-CBN compound and the Elorde gym on Gilmore," said Sarreal. "They’re serious about boxing. I’ll be inaugurating my own boxing gym, in honor of my father Papa Sarreal, in Banawe soon and I hope the celebrities will join me there."

Sarreal said after the Aliw event, he plans to take the celebrity boxing show to cities in the Visayas and Mindanao with the Elizalde group.

"I got to know Mr. Elizalde when he offered his facilities for the Ali-Frazier fight here in 1975," said Sarreal. "He’s a sportsman who always like to put on a good show for the public. I approached Mr. Elizalde’s group over five months ago with the idea of staging a celebrity boxing show. Finally, the dream is turning into reality."

Wanmeechok, 29, arrives today from Bangkok with manager Narong Hengtrakul and will be billeted at the Atrium Hotel in Pasay City. The former OPBF flyweight titlist has a 14-4 record, with nine KOs, and is coming off a split decision loss to Yuki Nasu in Tokyo. He has faced and beaten all his five Filipino opponents so far – Philip Parcon, Sonny Gonzales, Tata Polinar (who lost by first round knockout), Dondon Jimenea and Jerry Pahayahay.

Last year, Wanmeechok was stopped in three rounds by newly crowned World Boxing Association lightflyweight champion Koki Kameda in Yokohama.

Rodrigo, 25, said his burning desire is to be the first Filipino to beat Wanmeechok and avenge the setbacks of his five countrymen.

Rodrigo’s record is 13-7-4, with seven KOs. A southpaw like Wanmeechok, the General Santos City slugger turned pro in 1998 and was unbeaten in his first five outings until a split decision loss to highly regarded Eriberto Gejon.

The hard-hitting Rodrigo has registered four first round knockouts in his career at the expense of Jun Blas, Flash Simbajon, Franklin Macalibo and Somyot Vor Surapol. His last two defeats were to Thais Petchtapee Pinisinchai and Maxsaisai Pinisinchai, both on points, so he’s got an axe to grind against fighters from Siam.

Angeles City-based New Zealander Bruce McTavish will be the third man in the ring for the main event. Pasay City Mayor Peewee Trinidad, who was once a boxing judge, is awarding a golden trophy to the winner.

"We’re expecting a full house," said Sarreal. "The show starts at 4 p.m. and we’re anticipating a good Sunday crowd. We won’t be catering only to sports fans but also to showbiz fans."

Something different – and exciting – is what Sarreal is offering in this Sunday’s Aliw treat.