Amateur boxing show shifts to Insular Square tonight

CEBU, Philippines — Action in the Cebu Amateur Boxing Revival shifts to Insular Square in Barangay Tabok, Mandaue City tonight with a dozen bouts on tap for its third installment. The battle begins at 6 p.m.

In the kids/novice division, Archie Arsolen (37.5 kgs.) and Charles Darwin Dosdos (44 kgs.) of Labogon Boxing Club slug it out with Cedrick Benlot of Cebu City Sports Center and Jake Tabanao of Wakee Boxing Club, respectively, Emmanuel Galo of The 'A' Gym takes on Wyn Cabradilla of 10,000 BC in the 25.5 kgs., while  John Gabriel Tapales of Wakee BC tackles Alex del Pio of Phi-Aust Gym in the 42 kgs. class.

Carmen Boxing Club's Kervin Aresco (48 kgs.) and Marjun Bato (50 kgs.) take centerstage against Lenbert Cainap of Big Yellow BC and John de la Cerna of Wakee BC, while Yerodge Gura (46 kgs.) of Big Yellow battles Ken Bellita of The 'A' Gym and William de la Cruz (55.5 kgs.) faces Rowel Nucos of The 'A' Gym in the other matches under the school  boys/developmental category.

In the juniors/experienced division,  Cebu City Sports Center's Jeffrey Jimenez (46 kgs.) and Eduardo Jimenez (46 kgs.) will go up against John  Paul Gabunilas of 10,000 BC and Jimpol Dignos of Phil-Aust Gym.

The rest of the card features Mardy Cardeno of 10,000 BC against Benny Canete of The 'A' Gym in the 52 kgs. and Patrick Gantuangco of The 'A' Gym versus Marco Pomar of the UV Boxing Team in the heaviest 55 kgs. weight class.

Spearheaded by ABAP-Central Visayas Board of Trustee Lorenzo 'Chao' Sy in partnership with Philippine Sports Commissioner Ramon Fernandez and Hall of Fame sportsman Antonio 'Bidoy' L. Aldeguer, the twice-a-month tournament aims to resuscitate the 'dying' state of Cebu amateur boxing.

 Its ultimate goal is to help find talents and develop them to become members of the national team with hopes of ending the Philippines' elusive quest for an Olympic gold medal in the future. (FREEMAN)