09/02/2022
The pandemic has brought so much devastation to the world, especially to the athletes. It's been more than three years since face-to-face tournaments, competitions and other sports-related events were postponed. Athletes are struggling to look for training venues and to bond and grow with their other players and coaches.
With sports, the athletes have learned to stop training and to rest. Tournaments were canceled or postponed. With the new normal, a lot of sports events have returned action and this includes boxing.
Recently, the Boxing Worldwide Organization (BWO), a global sanctioning body in professional boxing founded in 2021 in Los Angeles, CA, USA, have organized its own in-person tournament wherein it featured amateur and veteran pugs in the country.
With founders and members having over 20 years of experience in title fights, BWO aims to revolutionize the world of professional boxing. It aims to develop a community of professional trainers, managers, physicians, and promoters; organize title fights in cooperation with local boxing commissions, and most importantly; and promote unity and sportsmanship among boxing enthusiasts.
Thrilled Pinoy fans gathered at the Ynares Arena in Pasig City to witness the Main Fight of the Night where Edward “Heneral” Heno outperformed boxer Renoel Pael via unanimous decision to win the BWO bantamweight belt.
The 29-year-old pug from Paranaque City got the nod of all the three judges who favored him with comfortable 117-110, 117-110 and 115-112 scores. Heno improved his record with 15 wins, one loss and five draws, including five knockouts. On the other hand, the 31-year-old Pael dropped his record to 23-12-1 (12 KOs).
In other fights, 21-year-old RV Deniega of JC Mananquil’s Sanman Promotions kept his unblemished record after knocking out 40-year-old former World Boxing Council (WBC) flyweight champion Sonny Boy Jaro in the fourth round of their bantamweight bout. He improved his record to 7-0 (4 KOs).
Weljon Mindoro of Bacoor recorded a TKO win in the sixth round over Jason Egera of Negros Occidental to keep his undefeated card, while Rebel 2 Combat Sports’ Jenel Lausa dropped compatriot Michael Escobia in the fifth round of non-title super featherweight bout to stay undefeated in 12 fights (7 KOs) and a draw.
Laguna’s Ar-ar Andales downed Bonjun Loperez of Davao City twice in the fourth round to claim the BWO light flyweight title. Rodel Sunquit of Pampanga also showed consistent punches, enough to down Lloyd Jardelisa of Binangonan, Rizal in the first round. He seized the BWO super featherweight belt.
It was an easy win for Rizal, Laguna’s Jericho Gatchalian as he blasted La Union’s Paolo Sy of Hardstone Monis Boxing to cop the BWO light flyweight division belt. Knocking down Jay-ar Diama once in Round 4, Justine Darap got the BWO super flyweight title.
Jonathan Gajana of Tayug Pangasinan proved that he’s still the king of BWO lightweight after spoiling the hope of Iresh Alejandre to win his first pro debut match. In the last fight, Makati City’s Roman Canto knocked down Jomar Borbon twice in Round 2 to secure the BWO super lightweight title.
Meanwhile, after his victory, Heno said he's ready to fight reigning WBO super flyweight champion Kazato Ioka of Japan.
During his media interview, Heno, also known as "El General", said he wants to avenge fellow Pinoy boxers Palicte and Nietes who both suffered defeats from the hands of the Japanese fighter.
Palicte, a native of Bago City, bowed to Ioka after a Round 10 technical knockout last June 19, 2019 in Chiba City while Bacolod pride Nietes lost by a unanimous decision last July 13, 2022 at Ota-City General Gym.
With regards to their strength, Heno, a southpaw fighter, is known for his solid punches and aggressive moves. He was skillfully trained by his new manager Aljoe Jaro.
On the other hand, Ioka competes in the super flyweight division. As a professional athlete, Ioka has been performing for 13 years already. He fights out of the orthodox stance and presents an ape-index of 4 cm (1.57"). Ioka has a 48.4% KO rate.
With the opening of training areas such as boxing gyms, football fields, basketball and volleyball courts, various sports organizers are mounting many sports tournaments to further entertain the fans, as well as to explore and discover potential athletes with formidable performances in their respective fields.
The tournaments, somehow, inspired and motivated youngsters to involve their selves to the craft they want to pursue. After a challenging period when the coronavirus pandemic forced most sports events to be suspended, 2022 saw a broad recovery from restrictions and other limitations. But because of hard work and resourcefulness, Filipinos always find a way to engage and even mount events online. And with the return of the face-to-face scheme, we expect more sports to be played and more players to be discovered who will be the next Hidilyn Diaz, EJ Obiena, or Manny Pacquiao.