MORE than 100 amateur boxers from the Visayas region battled out to solidify their slots in the preliminary leg of the PSC-Pacquiao Boxing Cup in Bago City Gymnasium yesterday.
Aspirants from Bago City, Bawayan City, Calabayog City, Cadiz City, Cebu City, Don Salvador Benedicto. Escalante City, Himamaylan City, La Carlota City, Leyte Province, Maasin City, Murcia, San Carlos City, Sipalay City, Talisay City, Mandaue City and Victorias City were present in the hopes of advancing in the Visayas Quarterfinals slated in Naga City on Feb. 17 and 18.
Brawlers Joenel Francisco of Murcia, Negros Occidental as well as Kane Paul Redondo of Don Salavador Benedicto and Kim Catedrilla of Bago City (Jr. Boys Pinweight 44-46kg) were standouts in the two-day tourney after winning their respective bouts via technical knockout in the first round of the fight.
The 16-year-old Francisco, who annihilated his opponent Perlito Exclamada Jr. from San Carlos City in Cebu, said that the cup is a stepping stone for him to follow in the footsteps of fellow Murcia-native and four-time World Boxing Champ Donnie “Ahas” Nietes.
“Nagsimula po ako sa boxing nu’ng 12 years old pa lang ako. Pangarap ko pong maging champion katulad ni Donnie Nietes kaya masaya po ako na pasok ako sa quarterfinals,” shared Joenel, who fought in the Jr. Boys’ Flyweight (50kg) division.
Joining the three in the quarterfinals were Angelo Bulasa of Cebu City, Rodel Gamo (44-46kg) and Joshua Belicena of Bago City (50kg), Kent Perocho of Escalante City (44-46kg), Gaudfrey Lubiano of Mandaue City (50kg) and Nixon Anito (50 kg) and Jay Torela Jr. of Sipalay City (52kg).
The boxing cup is part of the national grassroots sports development program of the Philippine Sports Commission in partnership with Sen. Manny Pacquiao.
San Jose, Antique will be hosting the Visayas SemiFinal round on March 10, while victors from the semis will clash again in Maasin City for the Visayas Finals on March 31.
Sorsogon City hosted the Luzon preliminary leg last Jan. 27 and 28 with close to 100 boxers.