5/31/09

Outraged Fans Cry Ask GAB to Punish Ref and Judges in Villanueva-Macas Fight

Shortly after the posting on youtube.com yesterday of the 5th round of the controversial fight between undefeated featherweight prospect Lorenzo Villanueva and junior lightweight Eric Macas, which was initially declared by the referee as a technical decision victory for Macas, outraged boxing fans immediately called for the investigation and imposition of sanctions against the officials involved in the May 23 fight in Ozamis City.

"Damn, the ref and the judges are blind," said one blogger obviously referring to the slomo action of the controversial 5th round which showed the young and raw North Cotabato fighter Villanueva connecting with three clean punches to the face of Macas before referee Delbert Pelegrino stepped in to stop the fight and declared that the cut was caused by a headbutt.

Confounding the situation was the anomalous scoring of the judges at ringside who had Macas leading in their scorecards. One of the judges, Cyrusman Manatad, even had Macas leading 49-46 which meant that Villanueva won only one round of the five rounds scored. Under the rules, when the fight is stopped because of injuries to either fighter caused by a headbutt after the 3rd round, the scores are totalled and whoever leads will be declared the winner. However, if the fight is stopped because of injuries resulting from legal blows, the boxer who cannot continue loses the fight.

"Hometown decision," complained another blogger. Macas fights out of the Black Scorpion Stable of Lanao del Norte which is just across the bay from the venue of the fight, Ozamis City, and all the judges, including Manatad who is the son of an employee of Macas' manager, are from the area.

"Kaya hindi umaasenso ang Pilipino (boxers)," said a blogger while another said that it was obvious that the referee did not know his job.

Villanueva's manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, immediately protested the result of the fight shortly after Macas was declared winner and challenged the GAB panel to view the video recording of the bout.

Copies of the video recording of the fight have been sent to Commissioner Angel P. Bautista, officer in charge of the GAB, boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, the referee and the judges of the fight and the manager of Macas, Limuel Yap of Maranding, Lanao del Norte.

"I am doing this in the interest of fair play and justice," said Vice Gov. Pinol who said that while Villanueva is raw and has an awkward fighting style, his courage and determination inside the ring are admirable and he could be transformed later into a better boxer.

Villanueva, prior to the fight with Macas, was 14 - 0 with 14 knockouts. The bout against Macas was the first that went beyond 4 rounds for Villanueva.

GAB is expected to issue its ruling this week on the appeal of Vice Gov. Pinol for the result of the fight to be reversed to a technical knockout victory in favor of Villanueva.

Outraged Fans Cry Ask GAB to Punish Ref and Judges in Villanueva-Macas Fight

Shortly after the posting on youtube.com yesterday of the 5th round of the controversial fight between undefeated featherweight prospect Lorenzo Villanueva and junior lightweight Eric Macas, which was initially declared by the referee as a technical decision victory for Macas, outraged boxing fans immediately called for the investigation and imposition of sanctions against the officials involved in the May 23 fight in Ozamis City.

"Damn, the ref and the judges are blind," said one blogger obviously referring to the slomo action of the controversial 5th round which showed the young and raw North Cotabato fighter Villanueva connecting with three clean punches to the face of Macas before referee Delbert Pelegrino stepped in to stop the fight and declared that the cut was caused by a headbutt.

Confounding the situation was the anomalous scoring of the judges at ringside who had Macas leading in their scorecards. One of the judges, Cyrusman Manatad, even had Macas leading 49-46 which meant that Villanueva won only one round of the five rounds scored. Under the rules, when the fight is stopped because of injuries to either fighter caused by a headbutt after the 3rd round, the scores are totalled and whoever leads will be declared the winner. However, if the fight is stopped because of injuries resulting from legal blows, the boxer who cannot continue loses the fight.

"Hometown decision," complained another blogger. Macas fights out of the Black Scorpion Stable of Lanao del Norte which is just across the bay from the venue of the fight, Ozamis City, and all the judges, including Manatad who is the son of an employee of Macas' manager, are from the area.

"Kaya hindi umaasenso ang Pilipino (boxers)," said a blogger while another said that it was obvious that the referee did not know his job.

Villanueva's manager, North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Pinol, immediately protested the result of the fight shortly after Macas was declared winner and challenged the GAB panel to view the video recording of the bout.

Copies of the video recording of the fight have been sent to Commissioner Angel P. Bautista, officer in charge of the GAB, boxing chief Dr. Nasser Cruz, the referee and the judges of the fight and the manager of Macas, Limuel Yap of Maranding, Lanao del Norte.

"I am doing this in the interest of fair play and justice," said Vice Gov. Pinol who said that while Villanueva is raw and has an awkward fighting style, his courage and determination inside the ring are admirable and he could be transformed later into a better boxer.

Villanueva, prior to the fight with Macas, was 14 - 0 with 14 knockouts. The bout against Macas was the first that went beyond 4 rounds for Villanueva.

GAB is expected to issue its ruling this week on the appeal of Vice Gov. Pinol for the result of the fight to be reversed to a technical knockout victory in favor of Villanueva.

Tadeco leads backers of Cong.Anton F. Lagdameo-ABAP Mindanao Boxing Tournament on June 2 to 6 in Panbo City

PARTICIPATING TEAMS

Davao del Norte Sta.Josefa (Agusan del Sur) Talaingod Misamis Oriental

Valencia City North Cotabato Cabadbaran City Calinan, Davao City

Nabunturan Malaybalay City Asuncion (Davao del Norte) Sto.Tomas (Davao del Norte)

Zamboanga City Comval Gen.Santos City Gingo-og City

Iligan City Kapalong Davao City Zamboanga del Norte

UM (Tagum) PNP Datu Puti (Zamboanga) M’lang, North Cotabato

SPONSORS

MAJOR SPONSOR

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MINOR SPONSOR

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PATRON

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DONOR

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SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

DATE TIME ACTIVITY VENUE

May 30-31 8:00-5:00 pm Referee/Judges Congress RFTC-Panabo City

May 31 7:00 am Arrival of Participants Panabo National HS

June 1 8:00-3:00 pm Medical Check-up and General Weigh-in Panabo National HS

June 2 2:00 pm Formal Opening and Elimination Panabo Gym

June 2-6 2:00 pm Actual Competitions Panabo Gym

All systems go for the 2009 Mindanao Youth Amateur Boxing Tournament

All systems go for the 2009 Mindanao Youth Amateur Boxing Tournament

Preparations are in full speed for the most awaited 2009 Mindanao Youth Amateur Boxing Tournament in Panabo City on May 31 to June 6, presented by Cong. Anton Floirendo Lagdameo in partnership with the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (ABAP) and SMART Sports.

Organizers gear up to welcome the various amateur boxing teams from all over Mindanao who will see action come June 2 for the Formal Opening and Elimination at Panabo Multi-Purpose Tourism, Cultural and Sports Center.

As of press time, 22 teams have enlisted to participate in the slugfest. About 300 amateur boxers will slug it out as they aim to ultimately reach the finals happening on June 6 and see who will emerge victorious and deserving of the chance to represent the island and become one of the country’s finest hopeful, to grab that elusive Olympic Gold.

Cong. Lagdameo lauded the various institutions and individuals who have committed their support to this huge sports event. Exciting games and prizes are even laid out for the audience for them to enjoy more their participation in this activity. To add to that, there will be free transportation to and from the fight venue for the audience from June 2 to 6, which will be stationed at the Panabo City Place near the old City Hall, courtesy of TADECO.

Cong. Lagdameo is very enthusiastic of the event and said “This would not only boost Panabo City’s claim as the leading Sports Tourism destination in this part of the country but would also serve as a unifying action for various stakeholders and enthusiasts of Amateur Boxing in Mindanao for a greater aim of Peace and Progress thru Excellence in Sports”. The legislator and scion of the Banana magnate Floirendo Family took the same aspirations from his brand of service, the Barangayanihan Program, bringing in services and progress to the grassroots in this side of the archipelago.(pr)

  • General Santos Boxing Team
  • Cabadbaran City Boxing TEam
  • Asuncion Boxing TEam
  • Gingo-og City Boxing TEam
  • M'lang Boxing TEam
  • North Cotabato Boxing Team
  • Misamis Oriental Boxing Team
  • Iligan City Boxing TEam
  • Aglayan, Malaybalay Bukidnon
  • Compostela Valley Boxing Team
  • Valencia City Bukidnon Boxing Team
  • Libunao Bukidnon Boxing Team
  • Zamboanga City Boxing Team
  • Kapalong Boxing TEam
  • Talaingod Boxing TEam
  • 1st District, Davao City Boxing Team
  • Sto. Tomas Boxing TEam
  • Calinan Davao Boxing TEam
  • Zamboanga del Norte Boxing TEam
  • Davao del Norte Boxing Team
  • Sta. Josefa Boxing Team
  • UM (Tagum City) Boxing TEam

5/27/09

ABS-CBN to show Maraon-Mathias fight on May 31

Top Filipino bantamweight prospect Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon's successful defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific title against Tanzania's Anthony Mathias last May 23 in Ozamis City will be replayed on ABS CBN Channel 2 on May 31 Sunday from 10 to 11 a.m.

Also featured in the boxing program "Bakbakan" will be the one-round demolition by North Cotabato's Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo of
Sadiki Abdulazizi, also of Tanzania, to win the vacant WBO Oriental Miniflyweight title.

The Maraon-Mathias and Asenjo-Sadiki bouts were the main events of a big boxing card staged for the first time in the seaside city of Ozamis in Misamis Occidental. It was staged in the city to allow Maraon's provincemates from Zamboanga del Sur to be able to see him fight. Maraon, 24, is from the town of Molave, about 25 kilometers away from the city.

Asenjo, 19, from Pigcawayan, North Cotabato is rising fast in the world rankings and is expected to be a top contender for the world title now being held by countryman Donnie Nietes of the ALA Gym in Cebu City.

His thrashing of the 17-year-old Sadiki at 2:59 of the first round of a scheduled 12 was executed using a patented overhand left which he also employed in knocking out his Thai opponent in his last bout in only 34 seconds of the first round. Asenjo now has a record of 14 wins (12 KOs) and two losses by decision.

Maraon, on the other hand, has a record of 14 wins (10 KOs) and 1 technical draw.

5/26/09

GAB ASKED TO REVIEW CONTROVERSIAL OZAMIS FIGHT

Kidapawan City - North Cotabato Vice Governor Manny Piñol today formally asked the Games and Amusements Board to investigate the controversial fight between top featherweight prospect Lorenzo Villanueva of Midsayap, North Cotabato and Eric Macas of Lanao del Norte last May 23 in Ozamis City which ended in a technical decision victory for Macas.

In a letter to Commissioner Angel P. Bautista, Officer-In-Charge of the GAB, Vice Gov. Piñol who manages Villanueva said the fight scheduled for 10 rounds was clearly dominated by Villanueva, who as early as the first round inflicted a cut over the right eye of Macas.

In the fifth round, Macas suffered another cut below the right eye and the ring physician declared that Macas was not fit to continue. "To our surprise, referee Delbert Pelegrino declared that the cut was caused by a headbutt. Confounding the situation was the questionable scoring of the local judges who had Macas winning in two of the three scorecards," Vice Gov. Piñol said.

Vice Gov. Piñol, who was sitting in the TV panel doing the coverage of the fight for ABS-CBN, said he asked the technical director to immediately replay the action preceding the stoppage of the fight which showed that there was never a clash of heads and the cut was caused by a legitimate blow.

"I immediately declared publicly that I was protesting the decision and asked the GAB supervisor Vic Cabalog to review the tape but Cabalog ignored my request. Instead, he suggested that he will just talk to the parties to declare the fight a draw."

"Of course, that did not happen as the technical decision victory for Macas stood and was never changed," Vice Gov. Piñol said. Vice Gov. Piñol said he finds two valid grounds for the GAB to conduct an investigation into the actions of the ring officials and the GAB supervisor during the fight.

First is the questionable scoring of the fight in favour of Macas while it was clearly dominated by Villanueva. Added to this was the irregularity committed by Cabalog of including in the panel of judges Cyrusman Manatad, son of boxing referee Andres Manatad who is a known employee of Macas’s boxing manager, Bong Yap.

Second is the questionable call made by referee Pelegrino declaring that the cut was caused by a headbutt when there was not enough evidence to support it.

Vice Gov. Piñol said he will submit to the GAB a copy of the videotape of the fight which will show not only the proof that there was no headbutt prior to the stoppage of the fight but also the irregular judging of the bout which highly favored local boy Macas.

“Villanueva is one of our top prospects in the featherweight division with a record of 14 wins and 14 knockouts prior to the fight with Macas. For him to lose through cheating is highly unacceptable to me,” he said.

Vice Gov. Piñol also informed Commisioner Bautista that his lawyer is now preparing administrative and criminal charges against GAB supervisor Vic Cabalog for grave misconduct and dereliction of duty.

5/25/09

Maraon defends WBO title with 6th round TKO

Ozamis City, Misamis Occidental - World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight champion Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon successfully defended his title with a 6th round TKO of durable and resilient Anthony Mathias of Tanzania while diminutive Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo demolished a 17-year-old Tanzanian boxing prospect, Sadiki Abdulazizi, in the first round to win the vacant WBO Oriental Miniflyweight title before a jampacked Medina Gymnasium here Saturday night.

Maraon's first defense of the boxing title he won via a sensational 3rd round knockout of compatriot Jason Igera three months ago, was highlighted by four knockdowns scored against the game Tanzanian.

Maraon dropped Mathias in the first, second and third rounds before referee Tony Pesons finally stopped the fight at 2:06 of the 6th after the Tanzanian hit the canvas for the fourth time courtesy of the powerful and lightning quick left straights unleased by the champion. Mathias protested the stoppage but his corner, seeing his boxer hurt and bleeding from the mouth and nose, agreed with the referee's decision.

The 24-year-old champion from Molave, Zamboanga del Sur fighter who fights out of the Braveheart Boxing Club of North Cotabato improved his record to 14 wins (11 KOs) and 1 draw. The victory is expected to push him up the world ratings of the WBO where he is currently ranked No. 8.

Asenjo, 19, from Pigcawayan, North Cotabato, showed Misamis boxing fans why he is called Little Assassin as he stalked the taller and young Sadiki right after the bell starting the fight. With barely a minute into the round, Asenjo caught the Tanzanian with a thunderous left sending the African fighter to the canvas for a count of eight.

A badly hurt Sadiki stood up wobbling but Asenjo pursued him scoring two more knockdowns ending the fight at 2:59 of the first round. Asenjo improved his professional record to 14 wins (12 KOs) with 2 losses.

In the undercard, WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion Rolando Magbanua, preparing for bigger fights ahead of him, made a quick job on a bigger Donryll Marcos scoring a technical knockout at 2:05 of the 5th. Magbanua remains undefeated with 16 wins and 11 KOs.

In the most controversial fight of the night, knockout artist Lorenzo "Thunderbolt" Villanueva, 22, was declared loser after referee Delbert Pelegrino declared that the cut suffered by Eric Macas in th 5th was caused by a headbutt. A review of the tape of the fight which was covered for ABS CBN Studio 23, however, showed that no clash of heads happened prior to the stoppage of the fight.

Had the cut been declared as a result of the legitimate blow, the fight would have been awarded to Villanueva who, even when he was in complete control of the fight hurting Macas several times, was behind on points in the scoring of the three local judges.

Added to the controversy was the discovery made later that one of the judges, Cyrusman Manatad, who was assigned to the fight by Games and Amusements Board supervisor Vic Cabalog is the son of ring official Andres Manatad who works for the boxing manager of Macas.

North Cotabato Vice Gov. Manny Pinol, who owns Braveheart Boxing Club to which Villanueva belongs, said he will ask his lawyer to file a petition before GAB to ask for the reversal of the decision based on the videotape of the fight.

Other results:

- Reynaldo Belandres KOed Rolando Magallano 2:48 of the fourth round;
- Jermie Jabel KOed Gerry Baja 1:56 of the first round;
- Rey Juntilla KOed Ariel Austria 1:14 of the first round;
- Albert Alcy won over Richard Betos by SD in 8 rounds;
- Randy Lagos won by MD over Joemar Dote in 4 rounds;

5/17/09

Maraon Defends WBO Aspac Title May 23

Maraon Defends WBO Aspac Title May 23

Ozamis City - One of the country's top bantamweight prospects, Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon fights before a hometown crowd in this seaside city when he defends his World Boxing Ortganization (WBO) Asia Pacific bantamweight crown against Tanzanian Anthony Mathias at the fully-airconditioned Medina Gymnasium on May 23.

Maraon, 24, who holds a record of 13 wins (10 KOs) with 1 draw, hails from the town of Molave, Zamboanga del Sur, which is only 25 minutes away from this peaceful city of 160,000 people. He is expected to draw thousands to the first big boxing event to be held here in over 30 years.

The 5' 6" tall southpaw will be making the first defense of the title he won via a sensational 3rd round knockout of compatriot Jason Igera in Cebu City last February.

Also appearing in the main undercared is 19-year-old Rommel "Lirttle Assassin" Asenjo who goes up against another Tanzanian fighter, Sadiki Abdulazizi, for the vacant WBO Miniflyweight Oriental title.

Asenjo, who demolished his last opponent in only 34 seconds last April 25, has a record of 13 wins (11 KOs) with 2 losses.

Ozamis City Mayor Reynaldo Parojinog, Jr., who is sponsoring the "War in Ozamis: Asia versus Africa," said the people of Ozamis and the nearby towns of Zamboanga del Sur and Zamboanga del Norte are expected to flock to the Medina Gymnasium to witness the biggest boxing event ever to be held in the city. The fights will be telecast the following day, May 24, at 4 p.m.

The Tanzanian challenger, Anthony Mathias, is a former PABA superflyweight champion who holds a record of 23 wins against 11 losses with 11 KO wins and 1 draw.

Sadiki, on the other hand, is a young fighter who will be making his first attempt at a regional title. He has a record of 7 wins, 2 losses with 4 KO wins.

Also appearing in the undercards are WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion Rolando Magbanua, featherweights Reynaldo Belandres and Lorenzo Villanueva and Jermie Jabel.

ABS CBN MULLS "THE GREAT FILIPINO MATCH UPS"

Philippine television network giant ABS CBN has started laying the groundwork for the biggest fight card matching the brightest young Filipino boxing talents from the ALA Boxing Gym of Cebu City against the Braveheart Boxing Club (BBC) of North Cotabato in an event called "The Great Match Ups: Road to the World Cup."

ABS CBN Vice President Peter Musngi, in a meeting with North Cotabato Vice Governor and BBC president Manny Pinol last Monday, proposed matching the big names of ALA Boxing Gym against the little-known boxers from Mindanao as an elimination event to choose the country's possible participants in the next World Cup against Mexico expected to be staged this year.

In the proposed match ups, Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista (ALA Gym) will go up against WBO Interim Oriental bantamweight champion Rolando "Smooth Operator" Magbanua (BBC) at 122 lbs., Z "The Dream" Gorres (ALAGym) fights WBO Asia Pacific Bantamweight Champion Jundy "Pretty Boy" Maraon at 118 lbs., AJ "Bazooka" Banal (ALA Gym) meets WBO ASPAC Youth bantamweight champion Glenn "The Rock" Porras (BBC), Milan Melindo (ALA Gym) versus newly-crowned WBO Junior Flyweight Oriental Champion Edrin "The Sting" Dapudong (BBC) and WBO miniflyweight champion Donnie "Ahas" Nietes (ALA Gym) against BBC's Rommel "Little Assassin" Asenjo.

"This will be the biggest match up of Filipino boxing talents and ABS CBN would like to be part of it," Musngi said adding that he will propose the idea, which has been accepted by Vice Gov. Pinol, to ALA Gym President Antonio Aldeguer.

Vice Gov. Pinol said the idea of BBC fighters going up against the more popular ALA Gym fighters "offers an exciting opportunity for the Mindanao boys to prove their worth."

"We certainly welcome the idea. In fact, it has been broached to us long before and while I personally am not hot to the idea of pitting a Filipino against another Filipino in boxing, making this event as the elimination for the big event like the World Cup is simply irresistible," said Vice Gov. Pinol.

The Braveheart Boxing Club, jointly owned by the Pinol brothers of North Cotabato, started only 6 years ago. Built on the foundation established by Cuban Coach Honorato Espinosa who stayed in North Cotabato for 18 months, BBC's coaching staff led by chief trainer Noli Pinol, Vice Gov. Pinol's younger brother, is now beefed up by the presence of Nonito Donaire Sr., father and estranged trainer of world flyweight champion Nonito Jr. As of this date, the club already has three WBO regional champions and is hoping to produce its first world champion this year.

"The boys are ripe. They are ready for the big time," said Vice Gov. Pinol.

The five fighters being proposed to go up against are BBC's top prospects for world championships. Magbanua, 23, is undefeated in 15 fights with 10 KOs; Maraon, 24, is also undefeated with 13 wins (10 KOs) and 1 draw; Porras, 23, has 21 wins (17 KOs) against 3 losses; Dapudong, 23, has 20 wins (16 KOs) and 2 losses; while Asenjo, 19, holds a record of 13 wins (11 KOs) and 2 losses.

Maraon will defend his title against Tanzania's Anthony Mathias while Asenjo will go up against another Tanzanian for the vacant WBO Minimumweight Oriental title on May 23 in Ozamis City.

"I hope ABS CBN will be able to pull this one through. It's an event that we do not want to miss. In as far as Braveheart Boxing Club is concerned, it's a Go for us. The ball is in the court of ALA Gym," Vice Gov. Pinol said