Gello-ani unveils rising star

MANILA, Philippines - From almost out of nowhere, a Filipino fighter nicknamed Captain Barbel has emerged to become a world title prospect despite losing by knockout in Sonora, Mexico, a week before Christmas.

Weng Haya (real name Wilson Vismar Ogso) of Malitbog, Bukidnon, lost to WBO featherweight champion Orlando Salido of Mexico on an eighth round stoppage but before referee Franciso Laveaga stepped in, the gutsy Filipino was on the verge of scoring a major upset in the non-title tussle. Haya, 22, decked Salido with a left hook to the chin late in the third round and would’ve finished off the Mexican if not for the bell. Haya floored Salido once more in the fourth but still couldn’t end it.

Salido, 31, stormed back to seize the initiative in the fifth and in the eighth, dropped Haya on the seat of his pants. Haya got up at the count of six but Laveaga waved it off, much to Filipino promoter Sammy Gello-ani’s surprise.

“Weng wasn’t badly hurt,” said Gello-ani who accompanied the fighter to Mexico. “His idea was to stop Salido from punching and take a rest. He knew that if the fight would go the distance, there was a chance of winning. But the referee stopped it. Still, Weng was impressive. Mexican fans lined up for his autograph in the dressing room after the fight. One trainer offered to host him in Mexico for six months and promised to make him a world champion. Matchmaker Sean Gibbons of Zanfer Promotions wants to sign him up for another fight in Mexico. All of a sudden, Weng is being talked about in boxing circles and he’s not even ranked in the top 10.”

Gello-ani never lost faith in Haya even as he took nearly a two-year hiatus from the ring to go back to school. “I’ve known him since he was an amateur,” he said. “He’s got a good attitude. He works hard in the gym. Weng used to be with the ALA Gym. He didn’t fight at all last year and came back to win three in a row. We had an offer to fight Terdsak (Kokietgym) in Thailand but chose to go to Mexico instead on three weeks’ notice. My analysis was there’s nearly no chance of winning in Thailand but in Mexico, you’re fighting a world champion and if you perform impressively, it will open up doors. It’s more prestigious to fight against a world champion in Mexico than a Thai contender in Thailand.”

Gello-ani said although Haya took the fight on short notice, he was in tip-top condition. “Weng was training in our camp in Daliangao, Misamis Occidental, with our other fighters like Marvin Sonsona, Ciso Morales, Jessie Cris Rosales and Rey Labao. My good friend Sampson Lewkowicz got the fight for Weng and we grabbed the opportunity. Weng got a US visa since it’s easier to travel from LA to Mexico. I couldn’t get a US visa for his trainer Celso Epanto so only Weng and I left for Mexico. Celso did a good job working on Weng’s left hook and it showed against Salido.”

Gello-ani said a few days before Haya went to Mexico, his wife Janice was rushed to the hospital in Cebu for an appendectomy. “He was worried particularly as the day before the operation, her appendix burst,” said Gello-ani. “But the day we left, his wife was already recovering. God made sure of it. I didn’t want Weng to miss this chance of a lifetime to fight a world champion in Mexico. I knew Weng would make a good account of himself.”

Gello-ani said the Mexican fans were in shock when Haya floored Salido twice. “Everyone thought it was over when Salido went down,” said Gello-ani. “But he’s an experienced veteran. He never panicked. How to close out is something he’ll learn from experience. What he showed was a big fighting heart. Salido used a lot of dirty tricks but Weng never retaliated. He’s a clean fighter, very respectful. I think with more experience, he’ll learn to fight fire with fire. As a promoter, my interest is to preserve the reputation of Filipino fighters as crowd pleasers. It’s a reputation that began with Manny Pacquiao. The rivalry between Mexican and Filipino fighters brings in the fans who expect a lot of action whenever they battle. Weng didn’t disappoint the Mexican fans. Before the fight, the Mexican press asked Weng if he was scared of Salido being a world champion. Weng promised a good fight, win or lose, and delivered. He didn’t earn much from the fight but the lesson in experience will go a long way in developing his career.”

Haya lost a six-round decision to Terdsak, the WBO No. 7 superfeatherweight contender, in 2009 and would’ve liked to avenge the defeat in a rematch. But as Gello-ani explained, Haya couldn’t pass up the chance of fighting Salido in Mexico. Ironically, Haya’s loss has opened the eyes of international matchmakers and promoters to appreciate his potentials. Haya turned pro in 2006, 10 years after Salido made his debut, and his record is 14-5, with 8 KOs compared to the Mexican’s 37-11-2, with 25 KOs. Salido is scheduled to make the second defense of his WBO crown against Juan Manuel Lopez, the man he dethroned, in Puerto Rico on March 31.

“We’ve got big plans for Weng,” said Gello-ani. “He’ll fight in Cebu on Feb. 4 in the same card as Marvin and Jessie Cris. If Weng pulls through, we’ll set him up for another fight in March. Not too many fans knew of Weng before his fight against Salido. Now, experts are predicting a bright future for the kid.”