250 boxers to compete in Tonyboy Cup-PLDT slugfest

250 boxers to compete in Tonyboy Cup-PLDT slugfest

FROM some 250 pugs will rise the next boxing hero after Guangzhou Asian Games gold medalist Rey Saludar as the 10th Tonyboy Cup and PLDT-Abap Mindanao Area Amateur Boxing Championship unfolds at the Panabo City Gym starting on Saturday.

Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines (Abap) Mindanao Area 2 executive director and Rep. Anton F. Lagdameo chief-of-staff Gene Rose Tecson, appearing on Thursday's Davao Sportswriters Association (DSA) Forum at the Tower Inn, said the competing boxers are coming from 18 clubs who will be fighting in the kids 11 to 12 years old, school boys 13 to 14, junior boys 15 to 16, youth boys 17 to 18 and elite men 19 to 25 years old categories.


"This is the only grassroots event being conducted in Mindanao, thus, giving opportunity for the region's boxers to shine. This is part of our ambitious claim that the country's first Olympic gold medal will come from a Mindanao boxer," Tecson said.


The Brgy. Una Boxing Team, a brainchild of former congressman Tonyboy Floirendo and also being backed up by Rep. Anton F. Lagdameo Jr., had recently hogged the limelight after Saludar annexed the nation's only boxing gold in Guangzhou while his brother Victorio copped a bronze.

Tecson said they have some 50 amateur boxing scholars in the Brgy. Una stable. All of them are being sent to school for free. All scholars must go to school before they can train.

She said they hope that the victories of the Saludar brothers will inspire their boxers to dream big and go for the gold. Victorio is arriving on Dec. 14 followed by Rey the next day to witness the championship bouts. Both will also be given the chance to speak to their fellow boxers as a way of encouraging them to stay on track.

"We will give recognition to the Saludar brothers on Dec. 15 which is also the birthday of Mr. Floirendo," Tecson said.

Brgy. Una, meanwhile, is defending its over-all crown in the slugfest hosted by Panabo City and the second district of Davao del Norte under Cong. Lagdameo.

Zamboanga City, Iligan City, Lanao del Norte, Cabadbaran, Agusan del Norte, General Santos City, Valencia City, Malaybalay City of Bukidnon, Camigui and Misamis Oriental are also entered. (Marianne Saberon-Abalayan)

Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on December 10, 2010.