THE Games and Amusement Board will host the third Philippine Boxing Convention with twin highlights, featuring the awards night for the country’s greatest achievers in the sport and triple championship boxing tussles.
The convention will be held on May 11 to 13, with Marco Polo Hotel hosting the seminars for ring officials and meetings among stakeholders like promoters and managers. The boxing event will be held at the Waterfront Insular Hotel.
“Breaking tradition for the better, the GAB shall recognize outstanding achievements in all aspects of boxing. Promoters, matchmakers, managers, trainers and referees will receive awards alongside our champion boxers,” said GAB chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra.
Three championship matches will highlight the 14-card boxing event on the second day with Jake Bornea and Renerio Arizala slugging it out for the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Super Flyweight title.
Ryan Lumacad and Renold Pael fight for the Asian Boxing Federation Super Flyweight Championship, while Roskie Cristobal and Alvin Makiling contest the Philippine Boxing Federation Bantamweight title.
The awards night will also have the A-list of boxing names with former world champion Marlon “Nightmare” Tapales, former IBF world flyweight champion Johnriel Casimero, IBF world light flyweight king Jerwin Ancajas and WIBA world minimumweight world champion Gretchen Abaniel sharing the “Boxer of the Year” honor.
“The GAB has drawn a list of awardees from nominations by all stakeholders nationwide. The list underwent intensive vetting process. Kinilatis po sila ng kanilang mga kasamahan at mga naging kakompetensiya nila,” said Chairman Mitra.
Among the noted guests are international referee Tony Weeks and World Boxing Council chief of ring officials Hubert Minn from Hawaii.
“We designed this convention to be as comprehensive and inclusive as possible. Expected to attend are boxing stakeholders from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao,” said GAB Commissioner Fritz Gaston.
Conducting seminars on medical issues are GAB’s Medical Officers, Dr. Radentor R. Viernes and Dr. Jose Rolando S. Rivera, while GAB Legal Division Chief Atty. Ermar U. Benitez will tackle issues on the legalities like contracts and permits.
“This convention will once again bring together our friends and stakeholders in the field of professional boxing from all over the Philippines, who we consider our partners in developing and uplifting the interest of the sport of professional boxing in the Philippines. The great interest and big number of attendees prove boxing has more glory days ahead. And, in the journey to those glory days, the GAB will be its close ally,” Mitra said.
Other awardees are:
CITATIONS
Mr. Juan Ramon Guanzon OPBF President
Hubert Minn (Hawaii) Chairman, WBC Ring Officials/Resource Speaker
Tony Weeks (Las Vegas) International Referee/ Resource Speaker
Naris Singwangcha (Thailand) Boxing Philanthropist
Ryuta Kato Pres., United Int'l. Boxing Promotions
Lope, Sarreal Pres., Phil. Boxing Federation
Dante Alamario Pres., Managers-Promoters' Assoc.
Mrs. Ma. Laura Elorde Matriarch of Phil. Boxing
Professional Boxing Officials of Cebu Ass'n. Of Phil.
Professional Boxing Ring Officials (APPBRO)
TOP HONOREES
Michael Aldeguer International Boxing Promoter of the Year
Gabriel Elorde, Jr.-Juan Lope Elorde Dexter Tan-Arnold Palafox Boxing Promoter of the Year
Brico Santig-Jim Claude Manangquil Most Accomplished Boxing Manager of the Year
Angel Dela Merced Most Promising Boxing Promoter
Artemio Monis Boxing Matchmaker of the Year
Jhun Agrabio Fernando Ocon Boxing Trainer of the Year
EXCELLENCE AWARD
Hon. Sen. Emmanuel Pacquiao
WBO World Welterweight Champion Eight Division World Boxing Champion
Donnie "Ahas" Nietes IBF World Flyweight Champion
(Longest Reigning Filipino World Champion)
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Bruce Mctavish
Professional Boxing Referee