3 world champions
Cebu lives up to being breeding ground for world-class fighters, churning 3 champs in 2016
CEBU once again proved why it’s the Philippine’s boxing hotbed after another good year.
Cebu earned three world champions in SGG Promotions-promoted Johnriel Casimero, RWS mainstay Marlon Tapales and ALA Promotions-handled Milan Melindo.
After failing in his title bid in 2015 against Amnat Ruenroeng, Casimero finally snagged his second division crown in a rematch with the Thai champion in May.
The 26-year-old won emphatically, knocking out Ruenroeng in the fourth round of their International Boxing Federation (IBF) flyweight title rematch in China.
Casimero defended his crown once, traveling to London and destroying Brit up-and-comer Charlie Edwards in 10 rounds at the famed O2 Arena four months later.
Casimero, however, recently relinquished his crown in search of his third division crown. He is looking at either super flyweight titleholder and fellow Filipino Jerwin Ancajas or World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight king and current pound-for-pound king Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez.
Tapales only fought once this year and it was the biggest fight of his young career.
The 24-year-old Maranding native that’s based in Cebu City challenged World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight titlist Pungluang Sor Singyu in July in Ayutthaya, Thailand.
Tapales was dropped twice in the fifth round. But he kept his composure and dropped Pungluang in the sixth round and finally knocking him out in the 11th round.
He was supposed to defend his crown in a New Year’s Eve show in Japan, but the fight was canceled after Inoue suffered an injury in training. He will be defending his crown, possibly in Japan, in 2017.
Melindo
Following two failed bids for a world championship in 2013 and 2015, Melindo finally became a world champion with a unanimous decision over Fahlan Sakkreerin Jr. for the interim IBF light flyweight strap in ALA Promotions’ final Pinoy Pride event of 2016 at the Cebu Coliseum in November.
Melindo got the nod of all three judges with scores of 117-111, 115-113 and 115-113.
The 28-year-old Melindo will most probably unify the belt with the winner of the regular IBF light flyweight title fight between current champion Akira Yaegashi and challenger Samartlek Kokietgym.
Nietes
The longest reigning Filipino world champion Donnie Nietes finally ended his reign after relinquishing his WBO light flyweight belt to move up in weight.
Nietes successfully defended his belt once this year with a fifth round stoppage of former world champion Raul Garcia in Bacolod City.
The 34-year-old two-division world titleholder made his flyweight debut at the StubHub Center in Carson, California in September. He defeated veteran ex-world titleholder Edgar Sosa by a onesided unanimous verdict.
Because Casimero vacated his belt, Nietes will be fighting for his third division title against Thai Eaktawan Mor Krungthepthonburi next year. ALA Promotions will start negotiations for the fight with its Thai counterpart in January.
ALA Promotions staged six huge shows this year, including two events in the US.
ALA Promotions promoted a show in San Mateo California headlined by Albert Pagara taking on tough Mexican Cesar Juarez.
Pagara, however, was unfortunate and suffered his first career loss in the main event at the San Mateo Events Center in July.
The second show was in Carson, California headlined by Nietes against Sosa.
The country’s biggest event of the year was also co-promoted by ALA Promotions and Bob Arum’s Top Rank last April at the Cebu City Sports Center.
The show was headlined by a title defense of then WBO super bantamweight king Nonito Donaire Jr. against Zsolt Bedak, who he destroyed in three rounds.
The event also featured ALA Promotions’ most promising names Mark Magsayo, Jason Pagara and Jeo Santisima, and Top Rank’s Paul Fleming.
Names
Aside from ALA Promotions, Omega Pro Boxing Inc. (OPSI) is slowly building up a name in local boxing scene.
OPSI made an aggressive push in boxing promotions this year.
OPSI launched its “Who’s Next?” boxing series featuring Omega Boxing Gym’s best fighters.
OPSI also launched its “Rumble” series, a smaller show.
OPSI had three “Who’s Next?” shows this year and two “Rumble” cards.
The three “Who’s Next?” shows was headlined by Omega Gym’s gem Jhack Tepora.
With the success in 2016, expect more bigger shows, more world champions and another bountiful year for Cebu boxing in 2017.