Pages: Palaro boxing

If you’re a fan of this sport that’s called “The Sweet Science,” then you ought to watch. More than two years after Covid-19 punched the world with its deadly blow, amateur boxing stages a return bout in Cebu.It’s the Palarong Pambansa Boxing Vismin Cup. Why watch? It’s for free.It’s situated at the center of town—the Cebu City Sports Center. (Thanks to Paulo Castillo and IPI/Omega, the boxing ring will be erected outdoors beside the track oval and the spectators get an open air view from the grandstand.)It’s Bisaya versus Ilonggo. It’s Mindanao vs. the Visayas.It’s eight teams of 10 boxers per squad coming from Davao, Iloilo, Cebu City, Negros Occidental, Cebu North, Ormoc, Cebu Province and Cagayan de Oro.It’s four days of upper cuts, KOs, hooks and low blows.It’s from July 12 to 15. The Opening Ceremony will start at 3 p.m. on July 12 and the new Cebu City vice mayor, Hon. Raymond Alvin Neri Garcia, will be welcoming the guests. After the opening bell, the hostilities and fireworks erupt.It’s 70 total bouts in four days.That’s 20 bouts on Tuesday and Wednesday (quarterfinals) and another 20 fights on Thursday (semis). On July 15, it’s the championship bouts to determine the champions. It’s blue versus red.It’s likely—out of the 80 amateur boxers whose ages range from 15 to 18 years old—that one of these athletes will go on to represent Team Phils. and win at an international meet.It’s possible that one of these teenagers will become the country’s first Olympic gold medalist.It’s 10 weight categories. In the end, when the Finals arrive on July 15, 10 boxers will raise both arms on the arm and claim their gold medals.It’s three rounds of kidney punches and jabs per bout.It’s a collaboration between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the city of Cebu through the Cebu City Sports Commission (CCSC).It’s a partnership between the public and private sectors with the assistance of Smart, Omega/IPI and Nature’s Spring.It’s more than just the tournament: there’s the Palaro Boxing Refresher Course.It’s a time to learn for all boxing coaches, referees, judges and enthusiasts. Prior to the bouts, there will be a boxing seminar.It runs for 1.5 days starting this afternoon from 2 to 5 p.m. and the whole day tomorrow. This Refresher Course is open to all enthusiasts—for free. This will be at the Cebu City Sports Center. (To know more, visit the Facebook page of the CCSC.)If you’re interested, you may register online or may go to the venue before 2 p.m. The Seminar will be led by the event’s Tournament Manager. Ludy Ceriales, who hails from Cagayan de Oro, is the country’s only female IBA 3-star referee/judge.