Masbate looms as boxing hub

Masbate has long been known for its beautiful beaches, rodeo festival, rich mineral resources and tourist spots like the Buntud Reef Sanctuary and Sandbar, Mount Mayong Payong, Pawa Mangrove Park, lighthouses and waterfalls. Now, Masbate Gov. Antonio Kho wants to add another feature to the province’s attractions. He’s hoping to make Masbate a boxing hub.

Gov. Kho’s chief of staff Ansbert Son said Masbate’s history in boxing dates back to when the late local hero Pedro Adigue reigned as WBC superlightweight champion in 1968-69. Another former WBC superlightweight titlist Morris East was born in Olongapo but grew up in Masbate then moved to Cebu at 15 to pursue a boxing career. Ex-PBA guard Rensy Bajar, now a coach, also traces his roots to Masbate.

“Since the pandemic, Masbate has been on the rise,” said Son. “We invested in vessels and shipping has become a major industry with the opening of more ports. Mining remains a big source of investment. In the past, big names like Danding Cojuangco, Monching Mitra, Joker Arroyo, Ninoy Aquino and the Yulos set up ranches in Masbate which became known as the country’s ranch capital. We are now enjoying political peace and Gov. Kho has brought the province closer together.” Son said with the recent success of Filipino world boxing champions, there is renewed interest in the sport among the youth and Gov. Kho is laying out a pathway for outstanding amateurs to level up.

“We’ve noticed a lot of backyard boxing so Gov. Kho transformed a cockpit into a gym up in the mountains, bought two rings and has set up amateur boxing programs in our municipalities,” said Son. “We’re inspired by Sen. Manny Pacquiao, who used to visit Masbate when he was into cockfighting. Now, we’re hoping Sen. Pacquiao comes back and brings his ‘Blow By Blow’ show to Masbate.”

Last month, Masbate hosted the first of its “Bakbakan” pro boxing series and headlined one-time world title challenger Robert Paradero who scored a fourth round knockout over Charlie Malupangue. On June 22, the second “Bakbakan” will take place at the Masbate Lagoon in Matayum, Cataingan with a 10-fight, 82-round card showcasing five title bouts.

Son said GAB chairman Richard Clarin has expressed all-out support for Gov. Kho’s plans. Matchmaker Art Monis assembled the next “Bakbakan” card to line up homegrown brothers Jeo and Alex Santisima. The Santisimas’ father Alex Sr., a farmer who grew corn, coconuts and bananas, now trains boxers in the province with oldest son Aldrin. Jeo, who fought Mexican Emanuel Navarrete for the WBO superbantamweight title in 2022, takes on defending WBC Asia Continental superfeatherweight champion Arnon Yupang of Thailand in the 12-round mainer. Alex engages Justine Darap for the vacant WBF Australasian superbantamweight crown in a tenner. Michael Dasmarinas, who battled Naoya (The Monster) Inoue in an IBF/super WBA bantamweight title showdown in Las Vegas in 2021, faces KO artist JonJon Estrada for the vacant Philippine featherweight diadem in a 12-rounder. Esneth Domingo meets India’s Nutlia Lalbiakkima in a tenner for the vacant WBC Asia flyweight belt and Ben Ligas tangles with Alvin Camigue for the vacant WBF International superflyweight strap in another tenner. Masbate is clearly on the way to making Gov, Kho’s dream of making the province a boxing hub come true.