ARQ’s Macado hopes to transform amateur success to pro boxing glory

CEBU, Philippines — When he first stepped on the threshold of ARQ Stable two years ago, he was a relatively nondescript fighter.

But unknown to Cebuano fans, Ramil “The Sharp” Macado, Jr. brought along with him a shining credentials.

A former amateur standout with multiple national and international titles under his belt, Macado first introduced himself in the country’s boxing scene when he knocked out Martin Cordova in the third round to win gold medal in the men’s light flyweight division of the Philippine National Games (PNG) on March 11, 2016 at the Narciso Ramos Sports and Civic Center in Lingayen, Pangasinan.

Macado thus joined the elite class of champions in that tournament that included Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Carlo Paalam, the unbeaten IBO and WBA Asia South flyweight crown-holder Dave “Dobermann” Apolinarion, and Criztian Pitt Laurente, currently an undefeated super featherweight contender.

Just three weeks have gone by, the pride of Koronadal City, South Cotabato made an impression right before the eyes of his townmates when he mauled Prince Rodhenmar Mesa to emerge as champion in the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) National Games.

Two years later, Macado duplicated his golden performance in the PNG when he eked out a split decision victory over Kit Cenon Garces in the men’s light flyweight finals on April 25, 2018 at the Cebu Coliseum.

Three months later, he minted his first gilt in an international competition at the Kapolri Cup in Manado, Indonesia.

Macado also performed remarkably well at the India Open International Boxing Tournament and at the President’s Cup in Astana, Uzbekistan in 2018. He also saw action in Greece and in Thailand, where he reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 ASBC Elite Boxing Championships in Bangkok.

Macado swept his last two ring assignments as an amateur against Kornelis Langu and Zhonglin Wu that were both held in Shanghai, China four years ago .

Like the rest of athletes, Macado’s career abruptly came to a scary halt when the pandemic put the world at a standstill in 2020.

But he somehow found a ray of hope when Cebu’s fledgling ARQ Gym of sports patron Jason Arquisola took him into their fold.

Proving his worth, the spunky Macado scored a sixth round stoppage of John May Acope in his pro debut on March 19, 2020 at the Alta Vista Golf and Country Club in Barangay Pardo, Cebu City.

Since then, he went unscathed in eight bouts spiked with 4KOs.

“Dako kaayo ko og pasalamat nga nakasud ko dire sa ARQ Stable. Blessed kaayo ko na naka-manager ko sama ni sir Jason (Arquisola) na grabe kabuotan ug grabe motabang namo tanan. Kon dili pa tungod sa ARQ, wa gyud unta ko nakapadayon sa akong pangandoy mao dako kaayo akong pasalamat sa Ginoo nga dire ko niya gibutang,” said Macado.

Now, the 28-year-old Macado braces for his toughest test yet.

He will be exchanging blows with reigning PBF flyweight king Lawrence “Shotgun” Dumam-ag of Zamboanga del Norte in an exciting showdown of undefeated prospects for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) Oriental flyweight strap headlining the highly anticipated “Engkwentro 13” fight card of ARQ Sports Promotions on May 1 at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

“Special ni nga fight para nako ug thankful kaayo ko nahatagan ko og ing-ani nga break,”said Macado. “Kompiyansa ko nga modaog gyud ko aning awaya kay taas-taas among preparasyon ug amo ni gipangandaman og maayo.” — (FREEMAN)