By Lito Delos Reyes
Thai businessman Naris Singwancha is well loved by a lot of Filipino boxers, especially those who have no back-up from big-time managers.
He has a soft heart especially to boxers who are immediately in need of assistance for various reasons.
In 2013, he shelled out P2 million to help Filipino boxers in the Visayas, who were affected by typhoon Yolanda.
“When I saw on TV what happened to Visayas, I immediately asked my friends in the Philippines if there are boxers who need help,” said Singwancha, who will reactivate his Singwancha Foundation in the Philippines.
“I want to help also Filipino boxers because most of them are poor,” said the 73-year old boxing philanthropist from Thailand.
Now he’s looking at former Filipino world champions who may be in need or those willing to give away his support to others.
That is why he is now giving a monthly allowance of P3,000 to 4,000 to former Filipino world boxing champions through his foundation.
“All those former world champions, who have been in-active already for at least one year are qualified. I want to help them because they gave honor to your country,” said Singwancha.
Among those included in the list are Rolando “Bad Boy from Dadiangas” Navarette, Morris East, Rene Barrientos, Rolando Bohol, Frank Cedeno, Luisito Espinosa, Joma Gamboa, Sonny Boy Jaro, and Eric Jamili.
He has been giving also the same support to the past world champions in Thailand from the four major boxing associations only—WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF.
Singwancha, who is the president of the Professional Boxing Association of Thailand and the Asian Boxing Federation (ABF), was in Bacolod City for the unification championship fight of ABF light flyweight champion Merlito “Tiger” Sabillo and OPBF light flyweight king Edward “El Heneral” Heno at the Gaisano City Mall on Saturday night.
He also made an ocular inspection of the proposed boxing training center at the parking area located at the back of the building owned by former Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Ramon Guanzon.
“I want to help also these amateur boxers, who still do not earn money,” said Singwancha, who promised to help finance the construction of the project.
He also met the young amateur boxers of Bacolod who are being trained by Dan Nietes, brother of world champion Donnie Nietes.
Singwancha, who was given the honor as an adopted son of Bacolod City, has already been supporting 10 professional boxers and two trainers under Wacky Salud and Noli Flores in Cebu since last year.
“I support them by giving a monthly allowance of US$1,200,” said Singwancha.
He financially and morally helped former IBO world light flyweight champion Rey “Hitman” Loreto (23W-14L-0D, 15 KOs) when the native of Davao City failed to receive his purse from successfully defending his title in South Africa.
The 26-year old Loreto had captured the vacant International Boxing Organization (IBO) World light flyweight crown by a 3rd round knockout win against South African Nkosinathi Joyi on Feb. 1, 2014 at the Salle des Etoiles in Monte Carlo, Monaco.
In their rematch, Loreto again stopped Joyi by a first-round TKO in front of his challenger’s hometown crowd on March 22 at the Mdantsane Indoor Centre in Eastern Cape, South Africa.
Loreto, however, came home penniless after the South African promoters did not give his purse worth more than P2 million pesos. And until now, Loreto has not received any payment from the promoters despite the pending case filed against them.
“Loreto was really very disappointed and was already planning to quit boxing,” said manager Brico Santig of Highland Boxing Gym.
But Singwancha helped Loreto by giving him US$4,000 for the construction of his house for his family in Davao.
He also supported Loreto and inspired him to continue boxing.
Loreto was able to fight for the world championship again in Bangkok last year. Loreto, however, dropped a unanimous decision to WBA World minimumweight champion Thammanoon Niyomtrong last July 15 in Chonburi, Thailand.
“Malaki talaga ang utang na loob ko sa kay Sir Naris. Dahil sa kanya bumalik yung kumpiyansa ko sa boxing,” said Loreto.
Naris says Filipino boxers have become close to his heart because they are humble. “I will continue to help in the best way I can.”