ASIAN BOXING
  • Home
  • Asian News
  • Profiles
  • Champions
    • World Champions
    • OPBF Champions
    • Japanese Champions
  • World Title Results
  • World Title Previews
  • Posters!
  • Female
    • Previews
    • Results
    • Schedule
  • Thinking out East!
  • Previews
  • Oriental Opinions
  • Upcoming Fights
  • Features
  • Taka's Title Shot!
  • The Asian Boxing Podcast
  • Videos
  • On This Day
  • Forum
  • Contact Us
  • Miscellaneous
  • Guest Articles
  • Interviews
  • Schedule
  • Donate
  • Japanese Boxing FAQ
  • Boxing Raise

Pinoy Problems

9/21/2017

0 Comments

 
Picture
By Marcus Bellinger-

The Philippines is considered a major boxing territory and with 3 current world champions, a cluster of world contenders and a number of gifted youngsters both in the professional and amateur ranks the garden would seem pretty rosy, however, if underlying problems regarding the sport in the country aren’t addressed then boxing could fade away in to obscurity which would be criminal given the rich history of fabulous fighters to have come from the Philippines.


Manny Pacquiao has carried the boxing expectations on his shoulders for his homeland for at least the last decade and whilst Nonito Donaire enjoyed good success in the US and Brian Viloria and Donnie Nietes have been quality champions in their own right the Philippines has failed to nurture enough elite fighters or mould the next superstar who can take boxing forward. Of course its holy unrealistic to expect someone like Pacquiao who completely transcended sport, let alone boxing to just reappear but the country hasn’t capitalised on having such a figure.

Not being a cash rich nation finances are an obvious hurdle with minuscule purses available early on for young fighters and sports such as basketball being a preferred and more viable option. Top amateurs are also hesitant to turn pro and give up their regular income from the national team. Many Filipino boxers are sent out on the road often from very early on in their careers and whilst this can instil great mental strength it can also have the opposite effect and shorten careers and see promising talents go to waste. We have also seen the likes of Mark John Yap, Genesis Servania and Ricky Sismundo leave home and continue their careers in Japan with a solid degree of success.

Johnriel Casimero, Marlon Tapales, Rey Loreto and even Jerwin Ancajas have been involved in world title bouts in the last couple of years but if you lived in the Philippines you may have not even known they had taken place with no TV coverage at all. Ancajas triumphant IBF super flyweight victory over McJoe Arroyo last September at home was broadcast on Rappler.com’s Facebook page, otherwise people would have had to rely on social media for updates. It’s hard to think of any other established boxing nation who would not have had even a regional broadcaster for a home world title fight. Milan Melindo’s magnificent knockout of Akira Yaegashi to capture the IBF light flyweight crown this May only received severely delayed viewing having originally been scheduled to be shown a couple of hours later.

ABS-CBN are the only TV outlet consistently showing boxing on a regular basis as the channel broadcasts ALA’s Pinoy Pride cards. The Pinoy Pride series showcases ALA’s top fighters including Donnie Nietes, Milan Melindo and numerous others. With a limited number of dates and slots it’s simply not possible for every Filipino fighter of significance to appear on these shows and the last thing the country needs is a monopoly with every boxer under 1 promotional banner. Having boxing spread across multiple TV stations can create annoying divisions at times with egos preventing different entities from working with each other but for me the healthy competition to put on the best possible product outweigh those problems.

Another stumbling block within Filipino boxing is the promotional aspect with most small hall shows taking place in malls where admission is free. This might sound good but you create an understandable apathy amongst fans who become used to attending for free and then are hesitant to part with their cash. Big ticket sellers are an essential part of the UK scene and often fighters who shift more tickets are prioritised regardless of their ability. Building a genuine draw can also make life a lot easier when it comes to securing home advantage for a fighter’s first world title bout for example.

With the way people view content changing all the time various promoters around the world have distributed shows on various online platforms giving fans access to undercards and lower profile events. Rappler.com has provided live or delayed coverage for various bills around the Philippines but promoters in the country really need to think about using the internet to showcase their fighters and at least try and build a fan base and create a buzz. There may be a cost factor preventing this from happening but a longer term view needs to be taken and with more available footage the bigger the chance that a top flite promoter in the US would be interested in signing a potential Pinoy talent. Even the Pinoy Pride bills are hard to watch for international viewers which is frustrating for the likes of myself. Note, Sanman Promotions has taken to live streaming their cards using multiple camera angles to try and gain their fighter’s some publicity.

Lastly as an outsider it really is hard to fathom why there is such a reticence to make all Filipino bouts of intrigue. Jonas Sultan won an eliminator over Johnriel Casimero to earn a crack at IBF super flyweight titlist Jerwin Ancajas. If it takes place it will be the first all Filipino world title clash since Pancho Villa fought Clever Sencio for the flyweight crown back in May 1925 which is absolutely staggering.

Being from the UK its routine that an all British tussle of significance would gain far more attention than a contest involving a brit and a good quality foreign pugilist so it’s difficult for me to comprehend the unease about seeing 2 boxers from the same country facing each other. The reasons given by many are that gaining more Filipino world champions is the priority and only then should these fights be discussed. A matchup between super bantamweights Jeo Santisima and Jack Tepora was briefly talked about before ABS-CBN put a kybosh on it for the reasons stated above along with neither man is well known. A bout like Santisima Tepora allows all those involved to gage what level their fighter is at and react accordingly.

​A strong domestic structure enables everyone to identify those who are capable of moving on to world level and those who are either domestic and regional level or need to rebuild. There is also the potential to build intriguing rivalries between the gyms and promotional outfits within the Philippines. Japan is a perfect illustration and blueprint that could be followed as fighters from the land of the rising sun must prove they are the best in their country or region before ascending to a world title. Finally in my opinion the negative attitude to all Pinoy bouts whether it’s from the fans, media or TV execs badly needs to change if the Philippines is to move forward and reach its boxing potential.


0 Comments

    Features

    When we have some free time we're hoping to add a series of fun articles to the site. Hopefully these will be enjoyable little short features

    Archives

    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013

    Categories

    All
    2014
    2014 Fighter Of The Year
    2014 Fight Of The Year
    2014 KO Of The Year
    2014 Prospect Of The Year
    2014 Round Of The Year
    2014 Trainer Of The Year
    2014 Upset Of The Year
    2015
    2015 Fight Of The Year
    2015 Prospect Of The Year
    2015 Robbery Of The Year
    2018
    AIBA
    Akifumi Shimoda
    Akio Konishi
    Akio Shibata
    Akira Yaegashi
    ALA Promotions
    Albert Pagara
    Alie-laurel
    Ali Raymi
    Amateur
    Amnat Ruenroeng
    Anil Kumar
    Arthur Villanueva
    Asian Games 2018
    Asian Youth Championships
    Atichai Phoemsap
    Bantamweight
    Body Shots
    Boxingraise
    Boxing's True Golden Age
    Chatchai Butdee
    Choi Chul Su
    Christian Araneta
    Comeback Fighter Of The Year 2015
    Daigo Higa
    Denkaosan Kaovichit
    Denver Cuello
    Dong Chun Lee
    Donnie Nietes
    Duk Koo Kim
    Eaktawan Mor Krungthepthonburi
    Egor Mekhontsev
    Eric Armit
    Eumir Marcial
    Fastest To A World Title
    Fighter Of The Year
    Fight Of The Year
    Flyweight
    FOTY
    Genesis Servania
    Gennady Golovkin
    George Delis
    Giovanni Escaner
    Golden Generation
    Go Odaira
    Hayato Tsutsumi
    Hidenori Otake
    Hideo Sakamoto
    Hideyuki Ohashi
    Hikaru Marugame
    Hinata Maruta
    Hiroaki Teshigawara
    Hiroki Okada
    Hironori Mishiro
    Hiroto Kyoguchi
    Hisashi-amagasa
    Hozumi Hasegawa
    Interview
    Iwan Zoda
    Jack Tepora
    Jaesung Lee
    Ja Ik Goo
    Japanese
    Japanese World Rankings
    Jaysever Abcede
    Jeo Santisima
    Jerwin Ancajas
    Jessie Espinas
    Jestoni Autida
    Jhack Tepora
    Johnreil Maligro
    John Riel Casimero
    Jomthong Chuwatana
    Jonas Sultan
    Jonathan Taconing
    Junto Nakatani
    Kanat Islam
    Katsunari Takayama
    Kazuki Tanaka
    Kazuto Ioka
    Kazuto Takesako
    KBM
    Keita Obara
    Kenichi Horikawa
    Kenshiro
    Ken Shiro
    Kentaro Masuda
    Kerry Hope Vs Petsuriya Singwancha
    Kevin Jake Cataraja
    Kiko Martinez
    Ki Suk Bae
    Knockout CP Freshmart
    Kohei Kono
    Koji Numata
    Koki Eto
    Koki Kameda
    Kongfah CP Freshmart
    Kongputorn CPFreshmart
    Kongthara KKP
    KO Of The Year
    Kosei Tanaka
    Kwanthai Sithmorseng
    Kyotaro Fujimoto
    Lee Heuk San
    Light Flyweight
    Lu Bin
    Mako Matsuyama
    Mako Yamada
    Malcolm Tunacao
    Manny Pacquiao
    Marcus Bellinger
    Mark Anthony Barriga
    Mark Magsayo
    Maru Jung
    Marvin Sonsona
    Masahiro Sakamoto
    Masaru Sueyoshi
    Masashi Tada
    Masataka Taniguchi
    Masayoshi Nakatani
    Masayuki Ito
    Masayuki Kuroda
    Merlito Sabillo
    Milan Melindo
    Most Exciting Boxers
    Muangchai Kittikasem
    Muhammad Shehran
    Muhammad Waseem
    Naoto Uebayashi
    Naoya Inoue
    Nawaphon Por Chokchai
    Nihito Arakawa
    Noknoi Sitthiprasert
    Nonito Donaire
    Nop-kratingdaenggym
    O Gon Kwon
    Oleydong Sithsamerchai
    Olympics
    Panomroonglek Kaiyanghadaogym
    Payao Poontarat
    Petchchorhae Kokietgym
    Petch Sor Chitpattana
    Pigmy Kokietgym
    Pinoy Problems
    Power-punchers
    Prospect Of The Year
    Prospects
    Pungluang Sor Singyu
    Qiu Xiao Jun
    Randy Petalcorin
    Ratchasak KKP
    Reito Tsutsumi
    Reiya Konishi
    Review
    Review Of 2018
    Rex Tso
    Rey Loreto
    Reymart Gaballo
    Rey Megrino
    Rikki Naito
    Robbery
    Rocky Fuentes
    Rocky Lin
    Roman Gonzalez
    Romero Duno
    Rookie Of The Year 2014
    Round Of The Year
    Ryo Akaho
    Ryoichi Taguchi
    Ryo Matsumoto
    Ryo Miyazaki
    Ryonosuke Tsutsumi
    Ryosuke Iwasa
    Ryota Murata
    Ryuichi Funai
    Ryuji Hara
    Ryutaro Nakagaki
    Ryuya Yamanaka
    Saensak Muangsurin
    Sailom Ardee
    Satoshi Shimizu
    Schedule
    Shingo Inoue
    Shingo Wake
    Shin Ono
    Shinsuke Yamanaka
    Shohei Omori
    Sho Ishida
    Sho Kimura
    Sho Nakazawa
    Sho Usami
    Shun Kosaka
    Shun Kubo
    Snips And Snipes
    Snips And Snipes 13 December 2018
    Snips And Snipes 24 January 2019
    Snips And Snipes 7 February 2019
    Sora Tanaka
    Srisaket Sor Rungvisai
    Stamp Kiatniwat
    Stephane Jamoye
    Streaming
    Suguru Muranaka
    Sukthet Sarawut
    Sung-Kil Moon
    Super Flyweight
    Suriyan Sor Rungvisai
    Su Yun Hong
    Tadashi Yuba
    Tae Seung Kim
    Takashi Miura
    Takashi Uchiyama
    Takayuki Hosokawa
    Takeshi Inoue
    Takuma Inoue
    Takuya Kogawa
    Takuya Watanabe
    Tatsuya Fukuhara
    Television
    Tetsuya Hisada
    Thailand
    Thanks Giving
    The Best Fights
    Theena Thayalan
    TheFightPod
    The Past Week In Action
    The Past Week In Action 12 February 2019
    Thitisan Panmod
    Tiger Tor Buamas
    Tokyo
    Tokyo 2020
    Tomoki Kameda
    Top Rank Ventures Into India
    Trainer Of The Year
    Tsubasa Koura
    Tugstsogt Nyambayar
    Upcoming
    Upset Of The Year
    Veeraphol Sahaprom
    Wanheng Menayothin
    Warlito Parrenas
    WBSS
    World Ranked Asian Fighters
    World Series Boxing
    World Youth Championships
    WSB
    Wuttichai Masuk
    Xiong Zhao Zhong
    Yasutaka Ishimoto
    Ye Joon Kim
    Yodmongkol Vor Saengthep
    Yo Sam Choi
    Yoshitaka Kato
    Young Ik Hwang
    Yu Kawaguchi
    Yu Kimura
    Yukinori Oguni
    Yusaku Kuga
    Zhanat Zhakiyanov
    Zou Shiming

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • Asian News
  • Profiles
  • Champions
    • World Champions
    • OPBF Champions
    • Japanese Champions
  • World Title Results
  • World Title Previews
  • Posters!
  • Female
    • Previews
    • Results
    • Schedule
  • Thinking out East!
  • Previews
  • Oriental Opinions
  • Upcoming Fights
  • Features
  • Taka's Title Shot!
  • The Asian Boxing Podcast
  • Videos
  • On This Day
  • Forum
  • Contact Us
  • Miscellaneous
  • Guest Articles
  • Interviews
  • Schedule
  • Donate
  • Japanese Boxing FAQ
  • Boxing Raise