Celebrities back in ring

Last August, showbiz stars proved their mettle in the squared circle as they treated fans to a slam-bang boxing extravaganza that even triggered a free-for-all involving celebrated actor Cesar Montano at ringside.

There was no pussyfooting when the bell rang at the Aliw Theater on Roxas Boulevard. The four three-round celebrity bouts clearly stole the thunder from the main event featuring Thai invader Wanmeechok Singwangcha and former Philippine flyweight champion Edgar Rodrigo.

First, "Majika" and "Now and Forever" star Polo Ravales beat Mojo Gym trainer Danilo Sayon. Then, comedian Bayani Agbayani was awarded the decision over personal trainer Julius Balena. Next, Christian Vasquez halted Paolo Paraiso in the first round. And finally, Andrew Wolff stopped Rommel Montano in the third round of a wild brawl.

Montano’s brother Cesar went berserk when referee Silvestre Abainza ended the proceedings after Wolff scored a knockdown. Wolff was later chased out of the theater by Cesar and his friends who obviously didn’t like the way Rommel was manhandled in the ring. Wolff escaped for home in a taxi, wearing only his boxing shorts and boxing gloves.

A few days later, Cesar reportedly apologized to Wolff but the news turned out to be a bum steer. Cesar denied it and even challenged Wolff to a fight if he scales down from 200 to 190 pounds. 

What was supposed to be a "fun" event ended up sparking a war. Fans couldn’t wait for a second edition. Those who missed the show begged for a reprise. The Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC), which produced the event, was only too willing to oblige.

Due to public demand, broadcast magnate Freddie Elizalde’s events group is staging "Bakbakan ’06 — Part 2" with four celebrity and three pro fights in a blockbuster card at the Star City Activity Center off Roxas Boulevard tomorrow, starting at 4 p.m.

This time, Cesar will see action. Rommel is also in the cast.

"This is for real," said Manila Broadcasting Co. (MBC) vice president for marketing Irving Lisondra.  "The fighters are out to win. A lot of pride is at stake. Nobody wants to be embarrassed."

As in "Bakbakan ’06 — Part 1," the Elizalde group is going all-out to make the sequel a huge success with MBC president Jun Nicdao providing support from the top.

Cesar will be paid a cool P250,000 to face former national amateur boxer Charlie Balena in the stellar attraction. Balena is guaranteed P10,000 in the three-round affair with a time limit of two minutes each stanza.

Cesar would’ve preferred to slug it out with Wolff but alas, the fashion model has hightailed it to England. Wolff was in the news lately for scandalous affairs with screen sexpots Keanna Reeves and Gwen Garci. Either the Montanos or the negative publicity drove him out of the country.

International matchmaker Jun Sarreal, who’s helping out the Elizalde group in the "Bakbakan" series, offered Wolff a chance to turn pro and earn some serious money in the heavyweight circuit. But the 6-2 celebrity, who packs a mean wallop, chickened out.

Apparently, Sarreal conjured visions of a Filipino version of heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko campaigning overseas and drawing support from expatriate Filipino communities. Wolff wouldn’t cooperate.

In the three other celebrity bouts, Rommel takes on soap opera actor Emilio Garcia, Vasquez battles Jon Hall and Ravales meets Justin de Leon. The winners bring home P100,000 and the losers, P80,000.

The pros will provide the early fireworks in three matches. Hard-hitting Gerry Peñalosa protégé Michael Farinas and Ronald Postrano slug it out in a six-round featherweight tiff. Dondon Jimenea and Efren Huesca face off in a six-round superflyweight bout. Jury Noda and Jun Alba disputed the vacant Philippine Boxing Federation superlightweight crown in a 10-rounder.

To make things more interesting, Sarreal said the fights will be held in a ring measuring only 16 by 16 feet, leaving little room for dancing and guaranteeing toe-to-toe action from start to finish.

Organizers are bringing in bouncers and reinforcing the security brigade in case the action spills over outside the ring like in the first edition. 

Expected to be at ringside are celebrities like Sunshine Cruz, John Estrada, Ricky Davao and Francis Magalona who cheered themselves hoarse in the August affair.

According to MBC assistant vice president Val Victa, several independent producers have called to inquire about promotional tie-ups — an indication that celebrity boxing is gaining widespread interest.

"We started celebrity boxing and we’ll continue to produce it for the fans," said Lisondra. "We’re already making plans for a calendar of sporting events next year to include celebrity boxing, badminton and billiards. We’ll give the fans what they want."

"Bakbakan ’06 — Part 2" is a fitting prelude to the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rubber match the next morning.