MAASIN CITY SPORTS 2015 YEARENDER PART I

MAASIN CITY SPORTS 2015 YEARENDER PART I
By Maloney L. Samaco

The year 2015 is about to end.  Many sports events happened in Maasin City the past year with yours truly as City Mayor.  There were several sports activities participated in by the city and its athletes.

Sporty Pope Francis, who loved football, basketball and tango, visited the Philippines.  We were part of the delegation of the Maasin Cathedral during the Pope's sojourn to the typhoon ravaged Tacloban and attended his Holy Mass at the Daniel Z. Romualdez Airport on January 17, 2015 joining 300,000 pilgrims from all over the Philippines including Typhoon Yolanda survivors braving the threat of Typhoon Amang.

The city government of Maasin welcomed World Boxing Organization junior welterweight champion Jason "El Niño" Pagara. This is the place where he first learned the basics of boxing and we gave him a plaque of appreciation and cash incentive for defeating Mexican Cesar "El Dolar" Chavez during the Pinoy Pride 29 in Davao City. The occasion coincided with the Love Day of the city hall at the city gymnasium on February 13, 2015.

Hometown advantage plus excellent fighting with an unblemished record pushed Adrian Estrella to stop resilient Adones Aguelo of Matin-aw, Maasin City in the 10th round in Los Mochis, Mexico on February 14, 2015.  Estrella defended his WBC Central American Boxing Federation (FECARBOX) super featherweight title and maintained his immaculate record of 21-0 with 19 KOs as he dominated the fight from the start. The Maasin City boxer defended well but appeared hurt in the third round.

The city government of Maasin honors The Prince of Philippine boxing Albert Pagara during the flag raising ceremony of the city employees at the Maasin City Gym. This was in recognition to his successful International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight title defense when he stopped Mexican challenger Rodolfo "Fofo" Hernandez in the fifth round during the 30th edition of the Pinoy Pride series at the Araneta Coliseum last March 28.

After more than five years of waiting, Manny Pacquiao have finally engaged with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in the Battle for Greatness on May 3, 2015 (Philippine time).  It was a battle but many did not consider it as the real Fight of the Century.  As usual we had a free viewing at the City Gym where it was full-packed.  The pro-Pacquiao crowd booed Mayweather when Jimmy Lennon, Jr. announced the scores and declared him winner by unanimous decision.

Scouting is a passion which I considered as the same level with sports. Both scouting and sports develop the overall personality of the children and the youth and keep them away from illegal drugs and other vices.  On May 20-22, I was in Tagum City, Davao del Norte with the Scouting leaders all over the country to attend the Annual National Council Meeting led by Vice President Jejomar Binay, President of the Boy Scouts of the Philippines. I was awarded as Most Outstanding Council Chairman by VP Binay and Members of the BSP National Executive Board. 

The City of Maasin conducted an Open Invitational Boxing Tournament dubbed "Engkwentro sa Mayo Halad sa Adlaw ni Mayor" at the City Integrated Bus and Jeepney Terminal on May 26, 2015.  It featured 22 bouts in the kids, school boys, junior and elite categories from Tacloban, Leyte Sports Academy, Matalom, Tomas Oppus and Maasin.

Originally scheduled for June 12, 2015, the boxing brothers Jason and Albert Pagara were set to fight against separate Mexican foes in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. But their fights were rescheduled to August 7 which is very near to the 15th Maasin City Charter Day which is August 10 and City Fiesta 2015 which is August 15.  I have to be on these city events because this is my last year as city mayor, this being my last term. So I went to proceed with my travel to Dubai together with my wife Chona and sister Mabel. We stayed there from June 10-13, 2015.

The boxers from Team Cebu City showed great strength and determination in winning as overall champion of the boxing tournament in the 55th Founding Anniversary of the Province of Southern Leyte at the Maasin City Bus Terminal. Cebu City won 8 golds and 3 bronze medals to emerge the No. 1 team after the finals on June 28, 2015.  While ALA Gym boxers were not far behind as second placer overall as the six boxers they sent all won gold medals. 

In the occasion of the 55th Southern Leyte Founding Anniversary, International Boxing Federation intercontinental super bantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara was one of the four awardees as Outstanding Southern Leyteño. Pagara was awarded as a Young Achiever in the field of sports and was nominated by this writer. I enumerated his boxing records including the immaculate amateur fights when I introduced him. His award was given on June 29, 2015 by Gov. Roger Mercado, Cong. Damian Mercado, Board Member Atty. Abelardo Almario and this writer.

About a hundred thousand people lined up the streets during the hero's welcome for International Boxing Federation intercontinental superbantamweight champion Prince Albert Pagara. It was August 15, 2015 the fiesta of Our Lady of Assumption, Patroness of the Diocese of Maasin.  It also coincided with the Ajonay Festival streetdancing as the pickup vehicle carrying the Maasin City favorite boxer and this writer slowly moved with the flow of the festival dancing. 

Albert chalked up a very impressive first round knockout victory over an ill-fated Mexican Jesus Rios and successfully defended his International Boxing Federation junior featherweight title.  Pagara at the onset floored Rios with powerful punches and then finished off the Mexican with his blazing guns prompting the stoppage of the bout.  On the other hand Jason snatched a unanimous decision win over Mexican Ramiro Alcaraz with the score of 77-73, 76-74, 78-72. 

Adones Aguelo failed to get a fair scoring in his fight against Australian Will Tomlinson August 14, 2015 at the Melbourne Pavilion, Flemington, Victoria, Australia. He lost a controversial majority decision which drew jeers from the crowd who were not satisfied by the outcome of the fight.  Two judges favored Tomlinson 97-94 and 97-93 while one judge called it a 95-95 draw for a majority decision. Triple world champion Jeff Fenech, who was the promoter of the event, was among those who were shocked by what he said was a hometown decision. 

Prince Albert Pagara and Adones Aguelo were special guests during the Maasin City Fiesta Boxing at the City Gym last August 16, 2015.  Pagara, fresh from his one-round demolition of Mexican Jesus Chito Rios in Duel in Dubai II.  Aguelo came all the way from Australia where he battered Will Tomlison but lost a controversial hometown decision. He was awarded for his heroic effort.  In the main event of the evening, Jonathan Ricablanca of Bislig, Surigao del Sur won by split decision over Ryan Tampus of Bato Leyte by scores of 96-94, 96-94, 94-96 in the ten-round main event.

THE BOXER WHO DEFEATED MAYWEATHER WANT A REMATCH

THE BOXER WHO DEFEATED MAYWEATHER DREAM OF A REMATCH
By Maloney L. Samaco

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is undefeated at 49-0-0, 26 KOs as a professional boxer.  As an amateur fighter he had a record of 84-6 though he was a three-time national Golden Gloves champion.  It just shows that in the amateurs a pugilist cannot choose his opponent unlike in the pros.

Serafim Todorov of Bulgaria, now 46 years old, was the last man to defeat Mayweather. It happened in the semifinals of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, Todorov, who was 27 years old during that time, won a controversial decision over Team USA fighter Mayweather. 

Todorov won the silver medal as Mayweather settled for the bronze.  Now he would love to face the former pound-for-pound king in a rematch as reported by Elisinio Castillo of Boxing Scene.

"I am a realist and I don't mean to say anything harsh for a fight against Floyd," Todorov said. "I would need five months in the gym to prepare for something like that. But I promise you this, it would be very interesting inside those ropes if we ever meet again."

"People saw once again that I am talented. I am able to show much more, but I need a little organization," Todorov was quoted by Medio Tiempo.

Todorov who won three world amateur boxing tournaments, turned professional in 1998 and he retired in 2003 with a 5-1-0 record. He made a comeback five years after, winning a four-round unanimous decision over Aleksandar Chukaleiski, a fellow Bulgarian, in their country.

"I'm starting to find my old form. With each training session I'm better. There is no pressure because I have participated in many international events," explained Todorov.

At the 1996 Olympics quarterfinals, the 19-year-old Mayweather barely defeated 22-year-old Lorenzo Aragon of Cuba in an action-packed match to win 12–11l.  He thus become the first American boxer to defeat a Cuban in 20 years. The last time it happened was during the 1976 Montreal Olympics, when the US Olympic boxing team harvested five gold medals and one of them was Sugar Ray Leonard.

In the semifinal bout in Atlanta, Todorov won over Mayweather by a controversial decision similar to what happened to Roy Jones Jr. when he lost by a hometown decision to Korean Park Si Hun in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Referee Hamad Hafaz Shouman of Egypt erroneously raised Mayweather's hand thinking that he was the winner, while the verdict was announced giving the win to Todorov.

Team USA filed a protest on the loss of Mayweather bout, asserting the judges were influenced by Bulgaria's Emil Jetchev, the head of the boxing officials, into favoring Todorov by a narrow 10–9 decision in the featherweight division semifinal bout. Three other Bulagarians entered the bouts.

American boxing judge Bill Waeckerle resigned as Olympic Games and federation judge after Mayweather lost the decision, which received loud boos from the crowd.

U.S. team manager Gerald Smith said Mayweather landed punches that were not counted, while Todorov was awarded points without landing a punch, reported The New York Times.

"The judging was totally incompetent," Waeckerle said.  "The judges failed to impose a mandatory two-point deduction against Todorov after he was warned five times by the referee for slapping," according to Rome News -Tribune.

"Everybody knows Floyd Mayweather is the gold-medal favorite at 57 kilograms", Mayweather declared as quoted by The New York Times.  "In America, it's known as 125 pounds. You know and I know I wasn't getting hit. They say he's the world champion. Now you all know who the real world champion is."


Top photo shows the referee mistakenly raised the hand of Floyd Mayweather when, in fact, Serafim Todorov won their semifinals bout at the 1996 Atlanta Games.

MORE MAYWEATHER AND PACQUIAO LIMELIGHT IN 2015

MORE MAYWEATHER AND PACQUIAO LIMELIGHT IN 2015
By Maloney L. Samaco

In the year 2015 Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao were most frequently mentioned among sports celebrities in TV, broadcast, print and internet media.  They continued making headlines after they fought in what was billed as "Battle for Greatness."

Mayweather was honored with "The Best Ever" trophy by actor Robert De Niro during Spike TV's Guys Choice awards 2015.  He was joined by a group of celebrities including Jake Gyllenhaal, Chris Pratt and Jonny Knoxville at the awarding ceremony in Culver City, California.

The former pound-for-pound king bought a $1.1 million Hublot watch in Dubai with the entourage of 24 all staying in the Armani Hotel at the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower.  Rumors of him negotiating a Pacquiao rematch in Dubai circulated.  He tweeted "Somewhere in U.A.E. getting that Arab oil money."

Mayweather went to Russia to successfully break the Guinness World Record for hosting the biggest boxing workout.   Youngsters joined him in the ring at a local concert hall as he demonstrated his technique to his audience in Moscow, with the boxing fans following his movements.  It was attended by 791 people and estimated 3,000 spectators were present on the podium.

Mayweather always showed on his Instagram and Twitter photos of his millions of money.  A picture of the retired boxer lying on a pile of banknotes was posted lately with the caption, "They go to the strip club. I bring the strip club to me."

Pacquiao was honored as the 2015 Asia Game Changer of the Year at the United Nations, New York.  "Manny is a major humanitarian force, directing his philanthropy toward numerous causes, including education and the fight against human trafficking," said Asia Society President Josette Sheeran.

A film based on Pacquiao's early life in boxing Kid Kulafu, was released on April 15, 2015, featuring young actor Robert Villaras as Emmanuel "Manny" Pacquiao. The film dramatized the life of the Filipino boxing superstar during his childhood.

Pacquiao has donated roughly P28.5 million from his personal funds to build a housing project with 150 units for the homeless people in Bales village, in Saranggani province.  He spent his own money for the project, dubbed as "Pacman Village", and gave glory to God through his gesture of helping the needy.

He was included in the Forbes list of top 40 philanthropists in Asia.  His Emmanuel & Jinkee’s Heart Foundation awarded more than 200 scholarships and extended more than P20 million in medical assistance to indigent people. He spent P20 million a year on college fees for 1,000 students.

Congressman Pacquiao filed his certificate of candidacy for the Senate last October under the United Nationalist Alliance.  He consistently landed among the top 12 senatorial candidates in all surveys.

Coach Freddie Roach admitted that Mayweather is the best boxer in his era.

"Manny had eight world titles and a lot of great opponents and so forth. Mayweather had the same, had a great career and undefeated, so I guess we're going to have to give it to Mayweather," was quoted by boxingscene.com's Carlos Boogs.  "Mayweather had no losses and so forth, so he's probably king of this era."

MAYWEATHER AND PACQUIAO HOG THE LIMELIGHT IN 2015

MAYWEATHER AND PACQUIAO HOG THE SPORTS LIMELIGHT IN 2015
By Maloney L. Samaco

The year 2015 is about to end.  Different events occurred in the world of sports.  But there were only two sportsmen who faced each other and were most frequently mentioned in TV, broadcast, print and internet media.  No other than Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Five years in the making and the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Fight of the Century happened on May 2, 2015.  It was easily a box-office success because it broke per-per-view viewership records in the United States.

The fight earned 4.6 million buys and over $410 million in revenue, breaking the previous $150 million record set by the fight of Mayweather vs. Saul "Canelo" Alvarez.  The bout also surpassed the 2.48 million PPV buy record set by Oscar De La Hoya vs. Mayweather clash.  The actual proceeds exceeded the pre-fight estimate of $270 million from 3 million households.

But even if it was a financial success, practically every boxing critic considered it an entertainment flop.  Mayweather's defensive strategy made it a boring fight not worth the $100 paid by millions for each live viewing.

Brian Goff of Forbes.com called it "arguably, the least entertaining 'mega fight' in memory."  BBC Sports labelled it as "Better Never Than Late." USA Today tagged it as a "pay-per-snooze" fight.

More controversy marred the event when Pacquiao disclosed he had a shoulder injury prior to the fight and re-injured it on the fourth round.  He was denied of injection of pain killers prior to the fight by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Mayweather also had undergone a dosage of IV that was cleared by the United States Anti-Doping Agency by a retroactive "therapeutic use exemption" but was not authorized by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Lawsuits were also filed by disgruntled spectators upon learning that Pacquiao fought with an injured shoulder prior to the fight.  According to ESPN, "The plaintiffs felt that their actions deceived those who bought tickets or the PPV or bet on the fight, and violated the rules of the Nevada Athletic Commission."

Despite the media wrangle Mayweather and Pacquiao topped the list of the highest-paid athletes in the world for 2015 as ranked by Forbes Magazine on their earnings. 

Mayweather was no. 1 with total earnings of $300 million with $285 million from winnings and $15 million from endorsements.  Pacquiao was second with $160 million total earnings with $148 million from winnings and $12 million from endorsements.

Rounding up the top ten athletes with their total earnings:
3. Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo - $79.6 million.
4. Argentinian football player Lionel Messi - $73.8 million.
5. Swiss tennis player Roger Federer - $67 million
6. US basketball player LeBron James - $64.8 million
7. US basketball player Kevin Durant - $54.1 million
8. US golfer Phil Mickelson - $50.8 million
9. US golfer Tiger Woods - $50.6 million
10. US basketball player Kobe Bryant - $49.5 million.

Mayweather is now retired and Pacquiao is eyeing a Senate seat.  Both boxers are still very much in the news headlines.

NONITO DONAIRE AND PIA WURTZBACH MAKE MERRIER PHILIPPINE CHRISTMAS

NONITO DONAIRE AND PIA WURTZBACH MAKE A MERRIER PHILIPPINE CHRISTMAS
By Maloney L. Samaco

Our Christmas is one of if not the most colorful, joyful and blessed in the world.  Complete with different Christmas trees and millions of sparkling lights all over the archipelago.  We have the "Misa de Gallo" and delicious native snacks after.  We put up "belens" and "parols" and carols were sang by children and even adults in "daygon."

Parties are celebrated here and there.  Reunions for families and friends make us closest to each other in the most wonderful day or season of the year.

But there were two big events in December which made Filipinos all over the world rejoice even more.  The Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire won the WBO world superbantamweight title over Mexican Cesar Juarez in a fierce bloody match nominated as Fight of the Year by the prestigious Boxing Writers Association of America.

Then we topped the world or rather the whole universe by the magnificent performance of our bet Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach in a controversy marred announcement of the Miss Universe 2015 winner.  She actually edged Miss Colombia Ariadna Gutierrez who wore the crown for a minute or two  before the real winner was declared.

Both Juarez and Gutierrez were Latinos.  Both at first couldn't believe on how they lost in their title quests to the two Filipinos.

At first Juarez could not accept he lost to Donaire at a very wide margin on three judges' scorecards.  Later he admitted it was Nonito's night.

At first Miss Colombia could not believe the announcement erroneously bestowed her the Miss Universe title.  Later she graciously endured the pain of the greatest mistake in the most popular beauty pageant of the universe.

And Pia's victory had a flavor of boxing, too.  She revenged Manny Pacquiao's loss to Floyd Mayweather in the same venue, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Nonito and Pia truly made a December to Remember for us Filipinos.  It makes our Christmas Merrier and our New Year Happier.

Merry Christmas from Maloney, Chona and sons Mallory, Marton and Marlon.

PACQUIAO IS TOP CELEBRITY TAXPAYER AND SECOND OVERALL

PACQUIAO IS TOP CELEBRITY TAXPAYER AND SECOND OVERALL
By Maloney L. Samaco

Manny Pacquiao paid P210,305,927 in taxes and was number two based on the latest top 500 individual taxpayers list of 2014 released by the Bureau of Revenue (BIR).  Previously, the fighting congressman ranked first in the list of 2013 top individual taxpayers.

He paid P46.5 million higher than the P163.8 million in regular income taxes that he paid for taxable year 2013 where he was number one.

This time Pacquiao was second to Chinese-Filipino businessman Jacinto Ng Sr., founder of Republic Business Corporation (Rebisco) and now chairman of Asia United Bank Corp., who paid the highest income tax amounting to P280.11 million.

The third top taxpayer was Vivian Que-Azcona, the president of Mercury Drug, with P153.6 million in taxes.

At fourth was Palawan Gov. Pepito Alvarez with more than P73 million.

Jacinto Ng Jr., Ng's son, was at fifth place with P66.9 million in taxes.

President Aquino’s sister, television host and showbiz star Kris Aquino paid the sixth highest tax of P54.5 million.  She was the second top celebrity taxpayer.

Seventh was Telco executive Ronaldo Romero Soliman who paid an amount of P53.5 million, while eighth was beverage executive William Schultz whose total was P51.3 million last year.

San Miguel Corp. president Ramon Ang was in ninth spot, with P51.1 million in income tax.

Completing the top 10 was Lauro Castro Baja III of Swiss Bank UBS, whose taxes reached P50.7 million in 2014.

Other showbiz personalities in the elite list were:
13. actress Sharon Cuneta (P49.12 million)
22. actor John Lloyd Cruz ( P37.70 million)
32. actress Anne Curtis-Smith (P31.47 million)
45. TV host Marvic Sotto (P27 million),
78. former Zamboanga del Norte congressman Romeo Jalosjos (P20.73 million)
98. Marian Rivera ( P19 million)
101. ABS-CBN chief content officer Ma. Rosario “Charo” Santos-Concio (101st, P18.76 million).

Pacquiao, who is battling a tax case filed by the BIR, paid P163.84 million in regular income taxes in 2013. The tax evasion case against Pacquiao stemmed from his P2.2-billion tax liability based on an assessment by the BIR.

The top 10 in 2013 were:
1.  Manny Pacquiao (P163.8 million)
2. Juanito Pornuevo Alcantara (P99.61 million)
3. Famous lawyer Estelito Menodoza (P73.18 million)
4. Reynaldo Benoza Chico, Jr. (P67.34 million)
5. Megaworld Corp. founder and chairman Andrew Tan (P67.18 million)
6. Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. president Lorenzo Tan (P60.89 million)
7. Palawan Governor Jose Alvarez (P55.62 million)
8. Mercury Drug president Vivian Que Azcona (P51.61 million)
9. Meralco president Oscar Reyes (P51.44 million)
10. Insular Life chairman and CEO Vicente Ayllon (P50.08 million)

DONAIRE'S POSSIBLE FOES IN 2016
By Maloney L. Samaco

When Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire recently won the WBO junior featherweight championship several names cropped up as possible opponents for the new champ this coming 2016.

Former IBF world featherweight champion Evgeny Gradovich wanted to face Donaire.  Nicknamed "El Ruso Mexicano," Gradovich is originally from Russia, but now resides in the boxing cradle of Oxnard, California.  He is trained by Robert Garcia.

"That would be a big fight.  He has a title. He is my friend but in the ring we won't be friends.  We can be friends again after.  I hope that the fight can be possible in the future," Gradovich was quoted by BoxingScene.

With a record of 20-1-1, he returned from his first career defeat with a split decision victory over Aldimar Santos. In May he lost his IBF title via technical decision to Lee Selby.  He will return to the ring on January 9, 2016 with an opponent still to be determined in Valencia, Spain.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum is also eyeing a possible fight with the Ukraine-born fighter Vasyl Lomachenko, who carries the WBO world featherweight crown. He was an Olympic gold medalist in Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.

On June 22, 2014, Lomachenko defeated Gary Russell, Jr. via twelve round majority decision to win the vacant WBO featherweight title. In doing so he equaled the feat of Saensak Muangsurin of Thailand as the fastest fighter to win a world title in just his third professional bout.  He already successfully defended his crown three times.

But right after his victory in the Fight of the Year candidate over Mexican Cesar Juarez, Donaire wanted to give him a rematch.  “I will definitely give him a rematch,” said Donaire as quoted by spin.ph.  “I’m not taking anything away from him.”

A second encounter with Juarez will surely be a blockbuster.  The Mexico City native was not satisfied at how the judges scored the fight.  And a lot of experts scored it closer for Donaire.

Another boxer being considered was his last tormentor Nicholas Walters.  On October 18, 2014, Donaire lost in the first defense of his WBA (Super) featherweight championship against the undefeated Jamaican, the WBA (Regular) featherweight champion.

“I wanna make the [Walters] fight happen, but I’m not gonna be foolish enough to go up two weight classes or a weight class, where I know the experiences I’ve had in the past have led me to making the right decisions. I’m willing to fight anybody, but it has to be in a fair atmosphere," he was quoted by BoxingScene.

The Filipino Flash has learned his lesson.  He should not be complacent in training.  After he won the Fighter of the Year Award 2012 in practically all sports awarding bodies, his attitude towards hard work changed. It costed him his title and reputation.

Now he is back at the helm of the junior featherweight division.  He must choose properly his next foe.  And should not commit the same mistake.

REACTIONS ON DONAIRE'S VICTORY

IINTERNATIONAL SCRIBES' REACTIONS ON DONAIRE'S VICTORY

By Maloney L. Samaco

Filipino sportswriters praised Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire for his unanimous decision win over Cesar Juarez of Mexico.  But international sports scribes who may had seen Donaire as the winner, had varied reactions.

Jake Donovan of Boxing Scene appreciated Donaire's efforts:  "On this particular evening, there was minimal opportunity to seek the nearest exit. Had he done so, it would have been chalked up to Father Time catching up to him. Instead, Donaire dug deep and for the first time in an already incredible career was forced to persevere in an action-packed fight."

Dan Rafael of ESPN also had a high score for the Filipino Flash :  "ESPN.com also scored the fight 116-110 for Donaire, the 2012 consensus fighter of the year, who won his third fight in a row this year since returning to the 122-pound weight class. He dropped down in weight following a sixth-round knockout loss to Nicholas Walters that cost him his featherweight world title in October 2014."

Chris Williams of Boxing News 24 picked Juarez as the winner:  "I had Juarez winning the fight by a narrow margin because he clearly won rounds 7 through 12, and was robbed of a knockdown in the 10th, when he dropped Donaire with a left hook to the head. It’s unbelievable that Juarez didn’t get credit for knocking Donaire down in the 10th. It was just a really poor call by the referee because it was a left hook to the head that put Donaire down."

Brian Mazique of Bleacher Report agreed with the judges:  "Despite Juarez's strong finish, the judges got it right. Donaire built a sizable lead early on, and he did more than enough to win the fight. That said, the 33-year-old still didn't look as sharp as he did when he won Fighter of the Year in 2012."

Scott Christ of Bad Left Hook scored a closer fight:  "BLH had it slightly closer at 115-111 for Donaire...This was a massive test for him, not so much in skills but in desire, stamina, and heart. He proved out tonight, but how many more of these does he have in him, and is he still good enough to avoid this type of fight?"

Derek Bonnett of Seconds Out was not satisfied of Donaire's win:  "Nonito Donaire sought to re-establish himself as a world champion worthy of big-time boxing match-ups under the limelight. Donaire...did just that for about six rounds against Cesar Juarez...For the other six rounds, Donaire swelled, bled, tired, and clung to victory after injuring his ankle in a performance that can only be described as harmful to Donaire’s prospects of reclaiming a place among boxing’s elite."

A rematch was called for and Donaire who appreciated the courage of his Mexican foe wanted to give him a return bout.  Much credit must be given to Juarez who fought like a wounded tiger, a trademark for Mexican warriors.

But meanwhile, it's so ecstatic for the nation to celebrate another champion coming home in the Yuletide Season.

CONGRATS NONITO!  We are so proud if you!

NO OPPONENT YET FOR MANNY PACQUIAO

NO OPPONENT YET FOR MANNY PACQUIAO
By Maloney L. Samaco

There was no announcement on who will be Manny Pacquiao's next opponent in his final ring appearance come April 9, 2016.  It was earlier reported that the fighting congressman will name his next foe, whether Timothy Bradley or Terence Crawford, during the Nonito Donaire-Cesar Juarez WBO junior featherweight championship in "MetroPCS Friday Night Knockout" card on truTV in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

But Bob Arum spokesman Fred Sternburg told ESPN:  "I was asked to tell you on Bob's behalf that, unfortunately, Top Rank will not have an announcement on truTV as originally planned as Manny is not ready to make a decision on his opponent yet."

Bradley was in Puerto Rico as a ringside commentator for truTV during the Donaire-Juarez clash.  While Crawford was also there on a vacation.  Both prospects were still in a quandary who between them will face the former pound-for-pound king of the world.

Amir Khan was not considered anymore because he was working with Al Haymon, Arum's rival, and was slated to face IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook.

Both Bradley and Crawford are contracting with Top Rank, Arum's outfit.  WBO welterweight champion Bradley has a record of 33-1-1, 13 KO's and unbeaten WBO junior welterweight titlist and 2014 fighter of the year Crawford is 27-0, 19 KO's.

There were rumors that Pacquiao wanted Bradley because he was familiar with his style and Manny wanted to end his career with a big win.  However, reports had it that Arum's choice is Crawford, which is younger and more dangerous.  Arum needs to promote Crawford as his next popular fighter when Pacquiao retires.

According to Chris Williams of Boxing News 24:  "It would have been a tremendous letdown for Bradley for Pacquiao or Arum to reveal that Crawford is the one that got the fight instead of him. So instead of the news for Pacquiao’s next fight being revealed tonight, it’s going to be revealed later."

Arum guaranteed Pacquiao $20 million in his farewell fight and his opponent will rake in a huge amount too in addition to pay-per-view shares.

"Manny told me this would be his last fight and I'm not sad about it because he's going on to a political career which will require a lot of mental acuity, so you don't want him to stay in boxing too long. If he stays in boxing a little too long his mental faculties might be somewhat impaired," Arum told ESPN.

DONAIRE SHOOTS FOR THE WORLD TITLE

DONAIRE WINS THE WORLD TITLE

By Maloney L. Samaco

It's Nonito "Filipino Flash" Donaire winning the WBO world junior featherweight championship against Cesar Juarez by unanimous decision in San Juan, Puerto Rico on Friday (Saturday, Philippine time).   The scorecards showed it:  116-110, 116-110, 117-109 all for Donaire.

It was considered a very great fight, very brutal and bloody, and could be a candidate for Fight of the Year.

Donaire started the fight with sharp blows and dominated the early rounds.  He scored two knockdowns in round 4 using his dreaded left hooks.  And Juarez appeared to be on the way out.  But the Mexican could not just be easily disposed of.

Donaire slipped in round 6 and appeared to hurt his knee.  Juarez lost no time in taking advantage of Nonito's downside.  Donaire's left eye was swollen.

In round 7 Nonito's eyes started to bleed when the Mexican showed enough toughness shooting every punch he can connect to the head and body of the Filipino Flash.  Donaire seemed to slow down because of the cut on the right eye.

He tried to protect his led in the succeeding rounds while the Mexican did all he can to hit that gash.

In round 10, Donaire went down but it was ruled slip by the referee.  Though it was seen that a punch landed.  When he got up Juarez swarmed all over him trying to score a knockout sensing he was behind on points.

Blood was also running from the nose of the Mexican due to the solid flurry thrown by the Filipino on him.

Round 12 ended with Donaire giving his all and everybody appreciated the great efforts by the two great fighters.  It was an exciting and exhausting title fight with the Filipino Flash having a very merry Christmas with the big win

The World Boxing Organization stripped Guillermo Rigondeaux of his WBO belt due to inactivity, declaring the Donaire-Juarez tussle a title fight for the vacant crown.

At present the only other legitimate Filipino world champion is ALA Gym standout Donnie Nietes, the WBO world light flyweight champion.  Although Marnelle Verano from Valencia, Bukidnon is also the Women's International Boxing Association (WIBA) world super flyweight champion.

PACQUIAO'S NEXT OPPONENT: BRADLEY OR CRAWFORD?

PACQUIAO'S NEXT OPPONENT:  BRADLEY OR CRAWFORD?
By Maloney L. Samaco

Manny Pacquiao will fight his last opponent on April 9, 2016 exactly one month before the national and local elections on May 9, 2016.  Pacquiao was consistently within the top 12 senatorial candidates according to the surveys of the Social Weather Station and Pulse Asia.

He promised to concentrate on his job as Senator of the Republic if elected as such.  He decided to hang up his gloves after his final ring appearance to focus on his work as a national legislator.

The multi-million dollar question is who will be Pacquiao's last opponent come April 9?  A rematch with Floyd Mayweather was out of the question because the former pound-for-pound king decided to enjoy his retirement with nothing more to prove himself.

Amir Khan, a former Freddie Roach protege, was negotiating a Pacquiao fight but will end up fighting IBF welterweight champion Kell Brook.  He could not wait for Pacquiao to declare his next combatant. Besides promoter Bob Arum wanted a Top Rank fighter in Pacman's finale while Khan was not.

ESPN's Dan Rafael reported that Pacquiao's foe will be formally announced on TruTV's "Friday Night Knockout" episode in San Juan , Puerto Rico featuring Nonito Donaire vs. Cesar Juarez on Friday, December 11, 2015. The probable choices are Timothy Bradley and Terence Crawford.

Bradley (33-1-1, 13 KO's) defeated the Filipino boxing icon in what was considered as one of boxing's largest controversy.  It was later resolved in a rematch which resulted to a resounding Pacquiao victory.  If it would be Bradley, the current WBO welterweight champion, who will be named on Friday, then another trilogy would be realized.

Crawford with an unblemished record of 27-0-0 with 19 KO's is the current WBO junior welterweight champion and rated No.6 by The Ring pound-for-pound while Pacquiao is at No. 7.  He was a former WBO and The Ring lightweight champion.

"I think Crawford has a very good chance of beating Manny Pacquiao," Bradley was quoted by BoxingScene.  "We don't know how Pacquiao is going to come back."

Bradley is even more excited to face the Filpino boxing icon and is more confident of victory this time with a new trainer in Teddy Atlas.

“With a new trainer, it’ll be a whole different Tim Bradley. Teddy has done so much for Tim … people might think they’ve seen the best Tim Bradley. They haven’t yet," said Monica, Bradley's wife and manager in Los Angeles Times.

Both Bradley and Crawford like Pacquiao are under contract by Top Rank, so it would easier to negotiate under the same promoter and profits could be maximized.  Both boxers are expected to be in Puerto Rico when the announcement will be made.

Pacquiao (57-6-2), who will turn 37 on December 17, wants a final bout that would have a big impact in the world of boxing, unlike Floyd Mayweather's last pro fight with Andre Berto.

FILIPINOS PIN HOPES ON DONAIRE

FILIPINOS PIN HOPES ON DONAIRE
By Maloney L. Samaco

The year 2015 was not a good year for Philippine  Boxing when three big fights took place. Manny Pacquiao lost by unanimous decision when he fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the richest bout in boxing history.  

Brian Viloria was knocked down by new pound-for-pound king Roman "Chocolatito" Gonzalez enroute to a ninth round stoppage.  Drian Francisco lost to the running Guillermo Rigondeaux in the Miguel Cotto-Canelo Alvarez undercard.

This time its the turn of Nonito "The Filipino Flash" Donaire (35-3, 23 KO's) who will clash with World Boxing Organization international super bantamweight champion Cesar Juarez (17-3, 13 KO's) in a fight that Filipinos expected to close the year on a winning note.

The junior featherweight bout is scheduled for 12 rounds and is a co-feature of the main event highlighting undefeated Puerto Rican Felix Verdejo against Brazilian Josenilson Dos Santos for the WBO Latino lightweight title at the Coliseo Roberto Clemente in San Juan, Puerto Rico on December 11, 2015.

“I feel great, my mental aspect is on a different level and helps me prepare for this fight. Its amazing,” Donaire was quoted by Ronnie Natnanielsz of PhilBoxing.  "This is the hardest I have trained for a fight . I am more committed and have direction in my training."

“The Filipino Flash” maintained that whether the WBO which stripped Guillermo Rigondeaux of the title or not, “it doesn’t matter. I am fighting for victory.”  With the WBO declaring the title of Rigondeaux vacant, the Donaire-Juarez encounter becomes a championship fight.

Donaire defeated William Prado of Brazil in round two to win the vacant NABF super bantamweight title at the Araneta Coliseum. Donaire delivered flurry on Prado at the onset of the fight.  The fight was stopped in the second round when the Brazilian was defenseless against the former boxer of the year.

Donaire defeated Anthony Settoul of France in two rounds with a technical knockout at The Venetian, Macao.  He hopes to recover and become world champion again after devastating losses to Rigondeaux and Nicholas Walters.

Juarez was a former Mexican superflyweight champion beating countryman Julio Grimaldo by 4th round KO for the title.  He lost to fellow Mexican Hugo Partida for the interim WBC FECARBOX superbantamweight title by majority decision.  Partida was the same boxer who was knocked out by Albert Pagara in the first round.

In his last fight, he won the vacant WBO international superbantamweight title over Juan  Carlos Sanchez, Jr. by 12-round unanimous decision.

SO. LEYTE SCOUTS CHRISTMAS JAMBOREE 2015

SO. LEYTE SCOUTS CHRISTMAS JAMBOREE 2015
By Maloney L. Samaco

The Boy Scouts of the Philippines Southern Leyte Council conducted its Scouts Christmas Council Jamboree on December 3-6, 2015 at Camp Danao, City Forest Park, Maasin City, Southern Leyte.

Some scouts and scouters started fetching their tents and built their camps a day before the opening.  Camp Danao is a 320-hectare forest reserve managed by the City Government of Maasin.

We, the organizers expected only around 1,200 participants but the actual number of registered entrants numbered 2,100 which far exceeded our expectations.

The opening ceremony was held on the 3rd of December at the 2-hectare grand arena.  It was graced by Regional Scouts Director for the Visayas Bienvenido Toledo.

"Scouting makes you feel the challenges of the outdoor activities which could supplement the knowledge you learn from the classrooms," he said.   "Joining scouts jamborees like these help you win more friends and learn useful skills."

As So. Leyte Council Chairman I inspired the scouts:  "Scouting helps you develop as a total person.  Experiencing difficulties and going back to the basics enable you to mature rhythmically."

The scouts were made to undergo basic life support and first aid training, obstacle and challenge course, knot tying, self-defense, and preservation of the environment.

Other activities highlighting the jamboree were subcamp and grand campfires, Scouts Got Talent, woodbadge reunion, and search for the Most Popular Boy Scout.