Boxers in the Rising Stars card. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—The Philippines’s boxing history is as illustrious as anything in the world with the likes of Pancho Villa, Gabriel Elorde, Gerry Peñalosa, Dodie Peñalosa, Dado Marino, and of course Manny Pacquiao representing the country in prime athletic greatness.
This type of history also creates an insurmountable mountain to climb for the other up and coming boxers from the Philippines, especially with Pacquiao dominating sport during his prime in the 200s and early 2010s.
Pacquiao is the only boxer in history to have won World titles in eight weight classes.
Ringstar Asia CEO Scott Farrell, who’s working with Pacquiao’s MP Promotions for the Rising Stars fight card, said that Pacman’s achievement is not an impediment for other boxers.
“I won’t say it’s a shadow, it’s more of inspiration because he’s there as the ultimate goal whom you want to reach. And with him here tomorrow and getting involved in the promotion and with the way he is, I think that’s going to be fantastic.”
“It’s going to inspire these young boxers to try to emulate what Manny Pacquiao achieved, and he’s giving them all the support they need to go further in this sport and hopefully, one day, become multiple World champions themselves.”
Farrell has been working hand-in-hand with Pacquiao in promoting the fight card that features a couple of IBF World title eliminators.
Michael Dasmariñas will face Kenny Demecillo in an IBF World bantamweight title eliminator with the victor getting a shot at champion Emmanuel Rodriguez of Puerto Rico.
A similar stipulation is placed for the fight between Rene Cuarto and Samuel Salva with the winner getting a chance to fight IBF World minimumweight champion DeeJay Kriel of South Africa.
Farrell said that he and Pacquiao are giving the otherwise lesser-known Filipino boxers the platform to build up their brand in a wider audience.
Rising Stars is set to air live on ABS-CBN while also getting broadcast live to almost 40 countries including a delayed telecast in the United Kingdom and Canada.
“Most of the boxers here are as good as anyone in the world and the challenge I should say is there’s never been a real platform over in Asia where you could showcase their talents,” said Farrell.
“We will have big fights here in Manila and around Asia to really grow the boxing scene as good as, if not better, than the west.”