Big Yellow Gym takes cares of boxers, plays waiting game before next move

CEBU, Philippines — Freezed in lockdown for several months because of the global pandemic, professional sports events in the country have had already restarted since October last year although they are being staged behind closed doors under strict health and safety protocols.

But as much as Big Yellow Gym wanted to put up a show and give their fighters some activity after being out of action for a year now, the husband-wife tandem promoters of Seth and May Tio opted to be extra cautious still given the current situation, playing a waiting game before making their next move in Cebu boxing scene.

“For now, we’re in a waiting game,” said Seth Tio. “But our boxers are constantly training every day, keeping their condition so they will be ready anytime when opportunity for them to fight comes.”

“As to the promotional side, we’re just waiting when audiences and fans are already allowed to watch the fights live,” he added.

Fueled by the all-out support of their mother company Conequip Philippines, the Tio couple established Big Yellow Gym and Promotions in 2015 because of their ardent desire to help aspiring pugilists from poor families realize their dreams in life.

Big Yellow currently has eight prospects in its fold, most notable among them are WBO Asia-Pacific Youth bantamweight champion Carlo Demecillo (15-5-1, 8KOs) and WBF Intercontinental minimumweight titleholder Clyde Azarcon (17-3-1, 7KOs), who is also ranked No.13 by the IBF.

Like everyone else, they have been greatly affected by the unprecedented crisis that momentarily cut off their main source of livelihood.

The thing of beauty is that at the height of the pandemic until now, the kindhearted Tios are taking good care of their boxers, giving them assistance to keep them and their family going during these hard times.

“We’re very thankful to our promoter and manager May and Seth Tio for their unwavering support. They’re always there to help and take good care of us amid the pandemic,” said Big Yellow chief trainer Christopher “Pingping” Tepora. “I just hope that this Covid-19 will be gone so that all boxers can get back to their normal way of earning a living.”