Boxing 2017

There’s a feeling in the boxing air that leads to a good, productive year for Cebu Boxing. I’m not too sure why and what it is but it’s just there. Do you feel it? Is it about the upcoming world title fights? The events being lined up by Cebu’s promoters? The place of Cebu Boxing in the national scenario? One thing for sure is that Cebu Boxing is going to be one busy place.

 For starters, we go to the top. While Donnie Nietes and Johnriel Casimero are no longer world champions, it doesn’t mean that they’re out of the hunt for another world title belt. After giving up his World Boxing Organization world junior flyweight title and moving up in weight, Donnie was given the go-signal to fight for the International Boxing Federation world flyweight title against Eaktawan Krungthepthonburi of Thailand. This is the title which Casimero gave up as he also moved up to the super flyweight division (115 pounds). Negotiations are underway to stage this fight and I’m sure the Thais aren’t going to give up on hosting it. I hope this is done in the Philippines within the first semester of the year. Although the Thai has lost to Albert Pagara and Froilan Saludar in the past, I’m sure he’s a much better boxer today. But I’m sure Donnie will beat him. Donnie’s other option is WBO world flyweight Zou Shiming of China who he can easily beat, but I don’t think this fight is going to take place this year with the way the WBO and Top Rank are strategically positioning themselves for the Chinese market. But if Donnie can take the IBF title this year and then add the WBO belt to his collection in 2018, that would be great, wouldn’t it? Melvin Jerusalem is getting the chance of a lifetime when he challenges undefeated World Boxing Council minimumweight champion Chayaphon Moonsri on Wednesday in Thailand. It may be a long shot but it’s still a shot. Moonsri is a veteran with a 44-0 record but he’s not invincible. We haven’t heard too much about Casimero but the irony is that if he sticks with the IBF framework, he’s lined up to face another Pinoy in IBF super flyweight champion Jerwin Ancajas. It doesn’t make sense but let’s see what happens. Meanwhile, WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales is studying his options after his first title defense was cancelled. He’s due to defend his title within the first semester of the year in Japan. Interim IBF junior flyweight world champion Milan Melindo is planning to take out the “interim” tag when he faces regular world champion Akira Yaegashi in Japan also within the first half of 2017.

 And then we have the others. They’re the boxers who are keeping themselves busy, improving their stock and praying for that big break for a world title. With Omega Pro Sports International getting their footprints more recognized in the scene, Jhack Tepora is turning out to be a blue chip prospect in the junior featherweight division. (Note: this bleacher bum helps out at OPSI.) After winning the WBO Oriental junior featherweight championship last month, he’s set to defend this in March while hoping to break into the top ten world rankings. Also slowly but surely moving up is Christian Araneta who will go for a regional title also in March. Omega Boxing Gym’s Kenny Demecillo will also defend his WBF Asia Pacific bantamweight title while talks are ongoing for stablemate Jason Canoy to challenge for the WBF world bantamweight title.

 Others waiting in line include Arthur Villanueva, the top-ranked challenger to Tapales. How I wish he can get a title shot in the IBF or WBC where he’s also ranked; instead of a Pinoy vs. Pinoy showdown and both fighting out of Cebu. I’ve always been intrigued with Jason Pagara who is now ranked #1 to the throne of Terence Crawford. But I’m also fine if this fight doesn’t take place as I’m not too sure how Jason will fare against Crawford who along with Manny Pacquiao, Canelo Alvarez, Vasyl Lomachenko, Gennady Golovkin and Roman Gonzales are boxing’s world stars and pound-for-pound’s best today. Mark Magsayo, Albert Pagara and Jeo Santisima are also there taking their time and will most likely fight in regional title bouts of the WBO.

 The other highlight for 2017 will be the staging of more fight cards in Cebu. OPSI is determined to stage a series of boxing events through the Who’s Next? Pro Boxing Series which returns to the scene in March. OPSI also has its “Rumble” series of fight cards that will bring boxing to the masses starting next month. ALA and ABS-CBN’s Pinoy Pride has now levelled up and is now at the international stage, making them the country’s top boxing firm today. Will promoters Rex “Wakee” Salud and Sammy Gello-ani be busy this year?

 Not bad for 2017, right? It will be another banner year for Cebu Boxing. Let’s pray that we produce more world champions, world-class boxers and have more fights cards.

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Time-out: Who’s Next? 3 will be aired today on TV at 4:00 pm over GMA News TV. Jhack Tepora faces off against Galih Susanto of Indonesia for the WBO Oriental junior featherweight title. Also featured are Kenny Demecillo and Christian Araneta.