First Erap Boxing Cup under way

FIGHTERS from Vietnam and Sri Lanka test their mettle against members of the Philippine boxing team in the 1st Erap Boxing Cup that fires off at 1 p.m. today at San Andres Gym.

The tournament, part of the City of Manila’s sports development program under Mayor Joseph Estrada, will see standouts of the Batang Pinoy program of the Philippine Sports Commission fighting in the curtain raisers.

The foreign pugs have been training for the past two weeks with the PH squad at the PSC facility in Baguio.

Manila Sports Council chair and basketball legend Philip Cezar organized the tournament with the assistance of the Association of Boxing Alliances in the Philippines (Abap).

“We know that Mayor Erap is an avid boxing fan, so we see this as a beginning of a productive relationship between the City of Manila and Abap,” said Abap president Ricky Vargas.

Estrada, Vice Mayor Isko Moreno and other city officials will open the tournament. Steve Silva, Contributor