Fil-Am puts nursing career on hold for professional boxing

Joel “The Quiet Storm” Siapno. CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

SAN LEANDRO, California — Joel “The Quiet Storm” Siapno, a 22-year-old 2014 nursing graduate from Samuel Merritt University, has placed his nursing career on hold to follow his dream of becoming a professional boxer.

Siapno, who is a Filipino American based in San Leandro, has been training and tightening his grasp of the sweat science at The Kennel Boxing Gym, the first Filipino-owned and run boxing gym in the United States.

Signed by one of the top boxing managers in the San Francisco Bay Area, Herb Stone, Siapno will be making his professional debut in the undercard of Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta, Friday, July 18 at Longshoreman’s Hall in downtown San Francisco.

Siapno will be campaigning in one of the hottest weight divisions in boxing, Welterweight (147lbs), in the same division as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, the top names associated with the weight class.

Siapno is a big welterweight, 5’9”in height, who fought as a Junior Middleweight in amateur boxing. In preparation for his professional debut, Siapno has been working hard at The Kennel Boxing Gym and sparring with well known boxing veterans, including one of Bay Area’s top prospects, Karim “Hard Hitta” Mayfield.

One of the biggest highlights of Siapno’s training camp was being able to work with world-class fighters at H.I.T Factory and Mayweather Boxing Club in Las Vegas.

Coaches, managers, fighters and random individuals who have been able to watch Siapno spar say he is a very strong welterweight with power in both hands.

Friens know Siapno as dedicated, well-spoken, well-mannered, friendly, hardworking and a terror in the ring.  He has been labeled as “The Quiet Storm” because he does not talk trash. Instead, he does a lot of damage to other fighters inside the ring.

Siapno says it has been his dream to become a professional athlete.  He is an alumnus of St. Joseph’s High School in Alameda and was a star player on the school’s basketball team.  He started boxing at the end of his junior year in high school to stay in shape for the summer.  Siapno quickly fell in love with the sport and immediately worked hard to start his amateur career within just three months of training.

He has had only 16 amateur bouts, but his talents have strongly captured the eyes and ears of many boxing enthusiasts in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

Kennel Boxing Gym has been open since January 2009 and has worked with former champions such as Glenn “The Filipino Bomber” Donaire, Ana “The Hurricane” Julaton, Michael “The Great” Katsidis and Marvin “Marvelous” Sonsona.

The gym has grown from a 3,000sq/ft location to a new 6,000sq/ft location. Siapno will be the first pro fighter produced 100 percent at Kennel Boxing Gym.

The main event promoted by Golden Boy Promotions, Don Chargin Productions and Paco Presents will be Mercito “No Mercy” Gesta and co-main Jonathan Chicas of San Francisco.  It will be televised on FOX Sports 1.

Doors open 6 p.m. and tickets are priced at $55, $65, $85 and $150, which can be purchased at Kennel Boxing Gym, 3051 Teagarden St, San Leandro, 94577.