Omega Gym plans to restart Cebu boxing

CEBU, Philippines —  Omega Gym head trainer Julius Erving Junco said they already had initial talks with their big boss Omega Pro Sports International (OPSI) President Pio Paulo Castillo about their plan to restart Cebu boxing by July or August amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Junco made it clear though that what they have in mind is tentative as there’s no go signal yet from the government for combat sports to return despite the entire Cebu province is now under the more relaxed GCQ (general community quarantine).

Junco said they already informed the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the agency tasked to regulate and supervise all pro sports in the country, about their intent and that the final decision will hinge on them.

“Everything is tentative for now. We just set a date so that we can easily put up a card and be ready anytime if ever the GAB will give us the go signal,” Junco said.

Junco admitted that it’s a long shot especially that a reliable source told them that the GAB is eyeing to allow combat sports to return only by September but they will give it a try.

As for their fightcard, Junco said they will assemble an eight-bout show featuring their young prospects against upcoming boxers from around the province of Cebu from light flyweight (108 lbs.) to lightweight (135 lbs.) divisions. 

They will stage it behind closed doors at their gym inside the International Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (IPI) compound in Barangay Mabolo, Cebu City.

If green-lighted, Junco assured to put all precautionary measures in place for the safety and welfare of all those involved in the event.

“We already have a set of safety guidelines and protocols for our closed-door promotion based on GAB’s standards. That includes social distancing and PCR (polymerase chain reation) testing for all boxers and officials,” said Junco.

With that, Junco conceded that the ‘new normal’ in boxing entails additional expenses on the part of the promoter but they will do whatever they can to bring back boxing that was knocked down for three months now due to the Covid-19 crisis.

“One of the requirements of GAB is to test all those involved in the promotion so it’s an added expense for the promoter,” said the 34-year-old Junco, who is now on his fourth year sharpening the skills of Omega Gym fighters.

“It’s very expensive because the government won’t shoulder it,”he added. “But we are trying to figure out how to lessen the expenses. We will try our best to bring back boxing in Cebu.”