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| Vol. XX No. 99 |
December 6, 2000 |
Virac, Catanduanes |
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The Catanduanes Tribune Rawis, Virac Catanduanes, Philippines - 5001 Tel. No.: (052) 811-1267 or 811-2640 Fax No.: (052) 811-1267 E-mail:
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Publisher-Editor Edwin A. Gianan |
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Advertising- Circulation Manager Simeon G. Cueno |
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Web Master: Calgary, Canada |
Major Developments
"Bakbakan
sa Virac" sidelights
Pacquiao
not sure of beating Hussein anew
World
Boxing Council international superbantamweight champion Manny Pacquiao is
uncertain of retaining his crown when he fights tough Australian
challenger Nadel Hussein in a grudge rematch in January next year.
Interviewed
by the Tribune last Sunday morning at Marem's Pension House, Pacquiao said
he is not confident of successfully defending his crown. "Malakas
sumuntok si Hussein,' he said, adding that he felt groggy when the
Australian decked him in the middle rounds.
He
also revealed that he also unsure of fighting in the same weight class as
he has difficulty maintaining his weight. In Thailand, he said, two weeks
of daily dieting failed to reduce his weight, causing him to lose the
crown even before he stepped inside the ring.
Pacquiao
also said his training regimen and boxing skills has not been affected by
his marriage last year to his wife, who is now seven months pregnant.
* * * * *
Still
a favorite of local boxing fans, Pacquiao said he may be back next year if
the plan to match him with former Luzproba champ and Palta Small barangay
captain Larry Sarmiento in an exhibition bout is realized.
It
should be a good show for the fans as Pacquiao (31 wins, 2 losses) would
be tested by Sarmiento, a veteran campaigner in Australia who, despite his
seven losses, scored 12 straight KO victories while in RP.
* * * * *
Pacquaio
says some of the local amateur boxers need proper training if they are to
succeed. He said that he started boxing at the age of 10 in GenSan, where
the local government held
Sunday
bouts. Such a program, he opined, could be replicated here.
Local ABAP officials suggest two corner sections of the Virac Sports Center could be used for the purpose, if provided with proper equipment, with at least monthly tournaments where the kids can show off their skills. Is anybody listening?
* * * * *
The spy says the boxer left out one current passion - gambling. It seems that he has little of his winnings left due to his addiction to billiards, cards, cockfighting and others. He reportedly even dared local billiard kings to sky-is-the-limit matches but refused to come out of his room when the local boys came to Marem in droves.
* * * * *
During the bouts, the steel-frame boxing ring swayed with the movement of protagonists, creaking and groaning with noticeable force that somebody directly below could have sworn newlyweds were in the ring, not boxers exchanging blows.
Surely, organizers would be able to cure this minor problem before the next boxing festival.
* * * * *
Mayor Cito Alberto joined his counterparts from Bato and San Miguel, Bolotoy Templonuevo and Jun Camano, in presenting trophies to the victors. Vice Mayor Hector Sorrera also made an appearance.
Former Gov. and Vice Gov. Severo C. Alcantara was there both as a fan and as a presentor. It seems his interest for active sports has not waned nor his fancy for beautiful young women as he was spotted talking with the round girls.
* * * * *
Our local boys wore cheap, low-cut canvass shoes totally inappropriate in the ring while the Calabanga fighters had high-cut boxing shoes. Next time, somebody better make sure our combatants are wearing Nikes.
