Manny Pacquiao & The Filipino Boxing Report

By Gina L. Caliboso

As the resident Filipino flag waver for RSR, I took a look back at a few of my articles in what I had perceived as being a wave of Filipino fighters ready to take on the boxing world.

Even as my favorite fighter Pacquiao remains at the top, I am now convinced that the greatest fighter of his generation is truly more the exception rather than the rule. With unanimous decision victories over fighters who are bigger and taller, Pacquiao, the intelligent southpaw brawler who punches in beautiful angles, remains the boxer to emulate. As one Filipino writer wrote, there is “Manny Pacquiao and then everyone else.” There must be a future for Filipino boxers, but the expectation to be the next Manny Pacquiao while Pacquiao is still around will be difficult. But here are the prospects and a quick update to their potential.

Nonito “The Flash” Donaire, 25-1, 17 KO’s: On February 19th, Donaire will face Fernando Montiel for the WBC and WBO Bantamweight titles. Donaire leads the current wave of Filipino fighters because he is a KO puncher and has excellent ring savvy.

In his last bout, he defeated Volodymyr Sydorenko in the 4th round with a KO for the then vacant WBC Continental Americas Bantamweight title. Donaire first earned the IBF Flyweight title in a 5th round TKO over Vic “Raging Bull” Darchinyan in 2007.

Donaire successfully defended his title three more times following Darchinyan. He has the speed and power that accompanies a wonderful sense of ring generalship. In one bout, he also showed a successful foray into the southpaw side. Donaire has a natural athleticism to accompany his boxing.

Brian “Hawaiian Punch” Viloria, 28-3, 16 KO’s: In January 2010, Viloria started the year with an unfortunate loss against Carlos Tamara. Tamara earned a 10th round TKO victory over the puncher to take away Viloria’s IBF Light Flyweight title. Viloria then fought two more times in 2010.

After Tamara, he fought against Omar Soto and earned a 10 round split decision victory. He later closed out the 2010 fight year with a 7th round TKO victory over Thai fighter Liempeth Sor Veerapol. He is currently ranked #17 among flyweights. Viloria currently has no fight scheduled.

Bernabe Concepcion, 28-4-1, 15 KO’s: In July 2010, Concepcion fought against undefeated southpaw Juan Manuel Lopez for the WBO Featherweight title.

Unfortunately for Concepcion, it wasn’t much of a contest. In the first round, both Lopez and Concepcion scored knockdowns, but it was more in Lopez’s favor. In the 2nd round, Concepcion suffered two knockdowns and Lopez earned the TKO at 2:37. Concepcion is currently ranked #13 among featherweights. Like Viloria, Concepcion has no fight scheduled.

Marvin Sonsona, 14-1-1, 12 KO’s: In September 2009, Sonsona went up against Jose Lopez and earned the WBO Super Flyweight title with a 12 round unanimous decision. Since then, the 20 year old southpaw from General Santos City may still have some growing up to do. In defense of his title, Sonsona went up against Alejandro Hernandez, but since Sonsona failed to make a contractual weight of 115 lbs., he was forced to vacate the belt.

Against Hernandez, Sonsona scored a 12 round draw. In his only 2010 bout, Sonsona fought against Wilfredo Vazquez, JR., for the WBO Super Bantamweight title and lost in 4th round by KO. Sonsona is currently ranked #37 in the super bantamweight division. Sonsona has no fight scheduled.

Mark Jason “MJM Grand” Melligen, 20-2-1, 14 KO’s: Melligen is a 5’7 southpaw from Bacolod City, Negros Occidental. He is currently ranked #22 in the light middleweight division. He is scheduled to fight on February 19, 2010, against Gabriel Martinez in a 10 round bout in Las Vegas on the undercard of Montiel vs Donaire.

Melligen has always been a good prospect with good speed and power. With only two losses, his last loss was in November 2009 against Michel Rosales in a 10 round split decision.

With the exception of Pacquiao, Donaire’s continued dominance, and the prospect of Melligen’s emerging career, Filipino boxers face challenges. As a boxing fan, I absolutely love the bouts in the lighter weight divisions and I think it’s where one can actually appreciate the sport and art of boxing at the same time. Let’s also keep in mind that any boxer will inevitably be compared to Pacquiao. Should Pacquiao retire, any up and coming Filipino boxer will face a pressured comparison to be just like him. I don’t think that it’s a fair model to live up to because like all of us know, Pacquiao has transitioned into heavier weight classes without much of a problem and defeated the best fighters in the division.

In the United States, boxing has definitely taken a dive in popularity. Right now, Pacquiao bouts are the core of the sport taking center stage – even just for 12 round bouts. As boxing has tried to reinvent a format with the Super Six Middleweight Tournament as well the current Bantamweight Tournament, the sport of boxing has very few mega-stars that can make boxing and non-boxing fans remotely interested in any megafights outside of Pacquiao.

So, where does this leave the future of Filipino boxers? Unfortunately, the future of Filipino boxers remains on shaky ground as much as the sport of boxing itself. As I’ve criticized before, Filipino boxers need to have a better support system. The fighters I mentioned in this article have all but disappeared from the spotlight. As a recommendation and since he’s the multi-tasker, I’d like Pacquiao to develop a fight promotion company such as De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions that can take Filipino fighting prospects and mentor them on the fight game and business side of boxing. Fortunately, Pacquiao remains in boxing and now awaits a bout on May 7th. Right now, the Filipino boxing front remains quiet outside of Pacquiao. But I think that’s okay for the time being – at least until the next Filipino comes along and makes a name for himself.