World Slasher Cup lures elite cast

MANILA, Philippines - The mother of all cockfighting events takes place this week with the staging of the International Gamefowl Festival and the World Slasher Cup 8-Cock Invitational Derby at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Some of the biggest names in cockfighting yesterday said they can’t wait for highly-awaited event to unfold tomorrow.

“This is the biggest cockfighting event in the world,” said Jim Wright of Texas who joined the other big names who came over from the United States for the event.

It’s the fourth time Wright is in the country for the world event. He said he’s always happy to be here because “competition is great” and “people ask for my autograph.”

Gamefowl Magazine editor Lando Luzong accompanied the foreign cockfighting greats to the PSA Forum at Shakey’s Malate yesterday.

Also present were Skinny Joel of Texas, Keith Cargill, Tammy Shive of Kentucky and Helen Hoskins of Texas.

“This is the most magnificent event in cockfighting,” said Cargill.

The two-day festival, which will feature around 70 booths featuring the top Philippine and American bloodlines, begins tomorrow.

The main event kicks off Jan. 24.

“This is the Olympics of cockfighting and this one is the biggest ever,” said Luzong, adding that 360 entries have confirmed participation.

Entry fee is pegged at P88,000 each.

Entries include those from Guam, Saipan, Hawaii, Alabama, Texas, Kentucky, California, Louisiana, Tennessee, Georgia, Mississippi, Arkansas, New Mexico, Japan, Mexico, France, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines.

“Most of the foreigners arrived last night. To them, the Philippines is paradise when it comes to cockfighting,” said Luzong.

“It’s an honor to be here. I’m looking forward to it. The Philippines is a beautiful country and it has beautiful people,” said Shive.

“It’s always an honor to be here. And everybody’s been very good to me. We all appreciate that,” added Joel.