Pacquiao wannabes need top trainer
THE THIRD-round TKO loss of Filipino Rommel Asenjo to Raul Garcia in Mexico has once again raised the issue of whether some of our fighters are pushed too soon into battle against veterans, if not superior opponents, and whether our trainers are good enough to hone world champions.
These questions have been raised many times in the past.
There was the case of Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista, who was stopped in the very first round by the menacing Daniel Ponce De Leon in a super bantamweight bout.
The late WBC founding secretary general Rudy Salud was vehemently opposed to the title fight and said so publicly to the dismay of his dear friend Tony Aldeguer of the famed ALA Gym. Tony, to his credit, had the decency to admit later that Rudy was right.
Even promoter Sammy Gello-ani perhaps reluctantly, conceded that they made a mistake when they rushed former super flyweight champion Marvin Sonsona, who lost his title on the scales before his WBO super bantamweight bout against undefeated and talented Wilfredo Vazquez Jr.
Sonsona got mauled in four rounds and has been heard of only occasionally.
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We must realize that many international matchmakers often look at their own financial well-being rather than the future of a Filipino fighter and will use their connections to land fights. This is a disservice to our boxers.
We also need to look at the issue of experience.
Fighters like Asenjo, a 21-year-old son of a tenant farmer, could clearly be overwhelmed by the environment of a world title fight before a jampacked, noisy crowd of Mexican fight fans.
Unless he had nerves of steel like Manny Pacquiao who thrives on the crowds, Asenjo could hardly be expected to handle the pressure.
From all accounts, the kid was brave but clearly, it is simply not enough. Pacquiao is so tremendously successful because aside from his inherent courage and power, he has had his skills honed by celebrated trainer Freddie Roach.
Our other promising fighters need to be exposed to the same kind of attention, not necessarily under Roach who is a very busy man and a much sought-after trainer.
Perhaps our friends like Tony Aldeguer, former North Cotabato Gov. Manny Piñol and even Gello-ani and Bebot Elorde may consider having our brighter prospects train under Robert Garcia, for instance.
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You have only to look at how WBC-WBO bantamweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr., has improved in technique, power, movement, and explosiveness to realize that Garcia, a former world champion himself, and Nonito’s strength and conditioning team have developed a definite heir apparent to Pacquiao.
The ALA Gym has taken a sound step in getting University of the Philippines graduate and former swimmer Pio Solon as their strength and conditioning coach. We have personally seen Pio at work and his techniques reminded us so much of strength and conditioning guru Alex Ariza who has, together with Roach, turned Pacquiao into a relentless fighting machine.
We have clearly witnessed the improvements in Bautista, undefeated flyweight Milan Melindo, AJ “Bazooka” Banal, OPBF flyweight champ Rocky Fuentes and young Jason Pagara. They have built up solid muscle, improved speed and movement and added power through Solon’s training program, as well as proper diet and nutrition.
The Aldeguer father-son tandem has taken what may well amount to a major first step. Now it’s time to consider sending some of our best prospects to a trainer like Garcia. With all due respect, its a step they need to take.
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We’d like to take a moment to extend our condolences to Tony Aldeguer and his family on the passing of Tony’s younger brother Gus, and to wish Consul Eddie de Guzman, a diehard Ginebra fan and owner of SkyFreight, all the very best on his birthday.
