Cebu has long been touted as the country’s boxing hotbed. And the number of awardees for this year’s SAC-SMB Cebu Sports Awards on March 17, underscores the continuing growth and popularity of the sport.
Two world champions from separate gyms in Cebu City will be the recipients of major awards.
IBF junior flyweight world champion Johnriel Casimero won the interim jr.flyweight world title in the infamous Argentina ring riot last February 2012 by TKO in the 10th round against Luis Alberto Lazarte.
Casimero, trainer Pingping Tepora and Promoter Sammy Gello-ani were assaulted by Lazarte’s supporters seconds after the Argentine boxer lost.
Casimero was given full recognition by the IBF as the regular world champion last July 19, 2012 and defended his title last August in Mexico, winning by split decision against Pedro Guevara.
WBO light flyweight world champion Donnie Nietes defended his title in June 2, 2012 against Mexican challenger Felipe Salguero at the Resorts World in Pasay City by by unanimous decision and finished the year by beating Thai Danai Meendaeng by 5th round knockout in a non-title bout in Dumaguete City.
Nietes, who was the WBO minimumweight champion from 2007-2011, is the second longest reigning Filipino world champion next to the great Flash Elorde who is a Cebuano.
Another awardee is Michael Aldeguer, President and CEO of ALA Promotions, who received the World Boxing Organization (WBO) ‘International Promoter of the Year’ award during the 25th WBO Silver Jubilee Convention in Florida.
Under his leadership, ALA Promotions has blossomed into a major player in the international stage and hosted two world title fights last year in Metro Manila. ALA’s ‘Pinoy Pride’ boxing series has also consistently scored double digit television ratings.
CITATIONS
Five boxers will be first time recipients of citations:
Genesis Servania won two titles last year. He beat Mexican Genaro Garcia by 12th round TKO at Resorts World Manila for the vacant WBC Silver international superbantamweight title and the WBO Asia-Pacific superbantamweight title by unanimous decision against Jorge Pazos of Mexico at the Waterfront Hotel.
Romnick Magos won the WBO Youth Asia Pacific flyweight title by fourth round against Aston Palicte of Makati City in Taguig.
Jason Pagara was crowned the WBO International jr.welterweight champion when he beat Rosbel Montoya of Mexico by 6th round TKO in a grudge rematch at the Waterfront Hotel. He defended his title by knocking out Miguel Antoine of Barbados in one round in Pasay City.
Merlito Sabillo defended his OPBF minimumweight champion title by knockout in the 7th round against Jonathan Refugio of Bukidnon in a fight held in Bacolod. He also had three non-title bouts in 2012 including a unanimous decision win against Indonesian Sofyan Effendi at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.
Arthur Villanueva became the new OPBF superflyweight champion, winning the vacant title in Japan by unanimous decision against Taiki Eto.
Three previous awardees will also be cited:
Milan Melindo knocked out Jesus Geles of Colombia in the opening round to win the vacant WBO International flyweight title in Pasay City and retained his title by 12 round majority decision against Jean Piero Perez of Venezuela here at the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu.
Rocky Fuentes repeated as a reliable road warrior and defended his OPBF flyweight title in Japan by unanimous decision against Yuki Nasu.
Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista won the vacant WBO International featherweight title by split decision against Daniel Ruiz of Mexico at the MOA Arena in Pasay City.