Photo Courtesy: AllbestofPhilippines.blogspot.com

I have been trying to list down Filipino boxers who are on the doorstep to stardom. Boxers who may carry the torch once Manny Pacquiao decides to hang up his gloves. My list includes Rey Bautista, Donnie Nietes, Ciso Morales, Marvin Sonsona, Brian Villoria, Bernabe Concepcion and AJ Banal. I found out that most of them have something in common. That is it’s either they come from Cebu or have been trained in Cebu.

It’s a reality that Cebu has produced a number of great Filipino athletes over the years boxing included. And for this reason I would like to commend the Cebuanos for their contribution in Philippine boxing. The provincial government of Cebu and the city governments of Cebu and Mandaue have their share in the pie through their sports programs. Besides, boxing patrons with the likes of the Saluds, the Aldeguers and the Gello-anis have contributed a lot in molding world class boxers. Furthermore, on the technical aspect, trainers Jun Agrabio, Brix Flores, Edito and Edmund Villamor and the Peñalosas deserve credit too.

May they continue to support young and aspiring Filipino boxers as we are about to turn the pages of Philippine boxing history.