Roberto Gonzales.
It isn’t surprising that Roberto Gonzales eyes to hit pay dirt someday. Like all boxers, the 26-year-old Rolando Navarrette look-alike dreams of becoming the next Manny Pacquiao, whose rise from poverty to untold fame and riches has become the talk of the sporting world.
Gonzales isn’t shying away from the fact that he’s poor and boxing is the only reason for him to keep his hopes of a better life not only for himself but for his family.
‘‘Boxing is my hope of earning money which will be enough to make me a very happy man,’’ said the 5-foot-6 in Filipino.‘‘Boxing is my life.’’
The story of Gonzales’ rise from a little-known brawler earning loose change to become one of the country’s top lightweights or those fighting in the 130 to 135-pound (59-61 kilograms) division serves an inspiration to others.
But Gonzales, who hails from the marble-producing Romblon province, himself knows deeply that he needs to have a championship belt to prove his worth in the highly- bruising world of prizefighting.
‘‘I need to become a champion here and this go and try my luck abroad. My aim is to become a world champion,’’ said Gonzales.
Like Pacquiao, who needed to experience low-paying jobs during the early years, Gonzales sweated it out as ‘‘bangkero’’ at the world-famous Puerto Galera beach resort. Maybe because he paddled banca at the precise rhythm to bring foreign and domestic tourists to their various destinations that he developed his strength.
‘‘It wasn’t an easy job. The sun can burn your skin but you have no choice because you’re being paid to do the job,’’ recalled Gonzales after sparring at the Touch Gloves Boxing Gym in Agoncillo, Batangas.
With his strength, Gonzales was enticed by observers to try his luck in various barangay boxing tournaments usually held during fiestas and political meetings. Naturally, Gonzales with his raw but awesome power didn’t disappoint.
Youthful promoter Elmer Anuran, who turned Drian ‘‘Golden Fists’’ Francisco into a world championship contender, saw the promise in Gonzales, who actually saved some money to be able to apply personally to Anuran.
‘‘He was wildly punching. Boom, boom, boom. Bara, bara. No form whatsoever, but I saw the power and the fighting heart in him,’’ recalled Anuran, a true-blooded son of Agoncillo in Batangas province. Anuran owns Touch Gloves Boxing Gym and president of the Saved by the Bell Promotion which is known for giving young boxers shots at glory. ”He was tested by some of my boxers on his very first day at Touch Gloves.”
Gonzales expressed gratitude to Anuran’s all-out support. ‘‘Boss Elmer has supported me all throughout. I believe that I can repay his trust by becoming a champion,’’ said Gonzales, who is presently under the watchful eyes of veteran trainer Lito Monte. Monte is determined to improve not only the footwork but the speed and combinations of Gonzales.
Also dubbed as ‘‘the Bad Boy from Batangas’’ because of his take-no-prisoner stance atop the ring, Gonzales has an impressive mark of 26 wins, 16 by knockouts, and two losses.
Roberto Gonzales.
He tasted his second defeat by third round knockout at the hands of Japanese Hirohito Fukuhara in 2012 at Sambo Hall in Kobe, Japan. Gonzales also lost steam in the middle rounds to bow to veteran Ryan Sermona before the eyes of his provincemates in Puerto Galera.
‘‘He was devastated,’’ recalled Anuran, who noted his ward was mauling Sermona from the opening bell up to the fifth round before being slowed down by exhaustion. ‘‘Ref Bruce Mctavish nearly stopped the bout because Sermona’s face was battered.’’
Anuran believes that Gonzales needs to improve his focus in order to achieve his dream of joining the elite list of world champions. ‘‘The good thing is he’s willing to learn from his mistakes.’’
Because of his strong resemblance to former world champion Rolando Navarette, whose rise and fall from glory was the staple of a truly heartbreaking telenovela, Anuran also dubbed Gonzales the Bad Boy from Batangas an obvious take from Navarette’s famous monicker as bad Boy from Dadiangas.
‘‘But he is bad only while fighting atop the ring. Outside the ring, Gonzales is an obedient boy,’’ stressed Anuran.
Gonzales, who scored six straight wins after the Kobe debacle , will be tested as he trades punches with fast-rising Arjan Canillas of the popular ALA Boxing Stable in Cebu City.
Canillas is unbeaten in 13 matches and will give Gonzales a tough fight. They will contest the vacant Philippine lightweight title March 12 at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
‘‘This is a big step in Gonzales’ bid to become a world champion. Both boxers have wonderful records and
I fans can expect an action-packed fight,’’ said Anuran.
A ward of world-class trainer Edito Villamor, the native of Toledo City stopped veteran Eusebio Baluarte in the third round of the fight last December 18 at the Marcelo Barba Sports Complex in Toledo. Ten of his 13 opponents didn’t last the distance.
Anuran said one of the main supporting bouts is the fight between comebacking Abe Concepcion (34-6-2, 20 KOs) and Jimmy Paypa (17-3-1), who is another member of the ALA Boxing Stable.