The Round By Round experiment

The Philippines is one of the top 10 boxing nations in the world. Even during the pandemic, there have been more than 20 boxing events all over the country (save for NCR), with no resulting COVID infections. There is so much boxing activity, it was only natural that someone would have to try to cover it all. Internationally, boxing is one of the few sports to first approach normalcy.

In the last month alone, the following names familiar to Filipino fight fans have been in the news: Manny Pacquiao, John Riel Casimero, Nonito Donaire Jr., Jerwin Ancajas, Mark Magsayo, Jayson Mama, Charly Suarez, KJ Cataraja, Jhack Tepora, Carl Jammes Martin, Mark Barriga, Oscar De La Hoya, Evander Holyfield, Jake Paul, Tito Ortiz, Floyd Mayweather Jr., Marco Antonio Barrera, KJ Natuplag, Yordenis Ugas, Errol Spence Jr., Albert Pagara, Mike Tyson, Freddie Roach, Bob Arum. In addition, as of August, 40 Filipinos were listed in world boxing rankings.

Also in the last month, every major boxing organization has been hit with controversy. The WBA was threatened with a ban by American boxing commissions if they didn’t cut down and streamline their number of champions. The WBC faced intense criticism when super featherweight champion Oscar Valdez tested positive for banned substance phentermine, was allowed to fight, and was declared the winner of a controversial title defense. Then, the IBF took a hit when flyweight champion Sunny Edwards suddenly claimed an ankle injury days before fighting Filipino Jayson Mama. Since the Philippines is red-listed in the UK, Mama and his entourage had to spend two weeks in Dubai just to enter England. Then, promoter Triller deceived the public by saying its main events (including Evander Holyfield vs. Vitor Belfort) were legitimate, sanctioned fights. They turned out to be mere exhibitions.

On Aug. 23, six of the country’s most experienced boxing journalists joined forces to try to blanket the sport. Ryan Songalia, Atty. Ed Tolentino, Dennis Principe, Nissi Icasiano, Boyet Sison and this writer bring over 100 years’ worth of combined experience covering boxing to the table. Luckily, Eastern Communications saw the value of the project, and “Round By Round” was born. In the show’s first month, it already has gotten exclusive interviews with many of the names mentioned above. It has analyzed many big events in the sport. This week, there will be at least two hot topics. First is the merry-go-round between Donaire and Casimero, with Ancajas throwing his hat into the ring. Donaire and Casimero have each been ordered to make mandatory defenses, derailing their bids to fight each other and Naoya Inoue. Secondly, it will be the 46th anniversary of the Thrilla in Manila. Round By Round will reveal little-known facts surrounding the historic battle between heavyweight legends Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

In its third week, with no promotion, Round By Round racked up 30,000 views on YouTube alone. The week after, it surpassed 58,000 views. Not bad for an independent – but produced – sport-specific online show. The next few months look promising for a show that is basically an experiment of half a dozen sports guys who just wanted to work together and have a blast. Round By Round bills itself as all boxing, all Filipino, all the time.

Round By Round airs Mondays to Fridays at 9 p.m. on Facebook and at 10 p.m. on YouTube.