Boxing big guns show up for highly successful ‘Fist of Fury 10’

Sports

FOR the first time in a decade, a major boxing event was held at the Cebu Coliseum via the “Fist of Fury 10” The Eliminator” on Saturday, May 9.

True-blooded sportsman Lorenzo “Chao” Sy, the promoter of the card, promised fireworks. He guaranteed that fans would see nothing but quality fights.

Promise fulfilled.

Fans were treated to action-packed fights capped by the brutal main event duel between China’s Dianxing Zhu and Cebuano Ian Paul Abne.

Blood flowed when Zhu and Abne figured in a close-quarter combat throughout the fight that culminated with the visiting Chinese boxer securing a unanimous decision win.

In what was the biggest boxing event at the Cebu Coliseum since Milan Milendo and Thailand’s Teeraphong Utaida fought for the International Boxing Federation (IBF) ight interim flyweight title in 2016, the nine-fight card over the weekend gathered some of the biggest name in the sport.

Leading the star-studded crowd was Pedro Taduran, the reigning IBF world minimumweight champion. Part of Taduran’s delegation was his manager Cucuy Elorde.

Spectators were also able to rub elbows with former world champions Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire Jr. and Donnie “Ahas” Nietes. Lawyer-sportsman Baldomero Estenzo, and Carcar City Mayor Patrick Barcenas were also in attendance. Former world title challengers Edito Villamor, consultant of the rising PMI Bohol Boxing Promotions, and Z Gorres also came to watch.

The card also featured Cebu City’s top boxing stables with ARQ Boxing Gym, Big Yellow Boxing Gym, and Omega Boxing Gym showcasing their prized fighters.

As if having former and current champions was not enough, the card was even made special when it was graced by a sportsman responsible for forging the glory days of Cebu’s boxing.

Revered as the “Godfather of Cebu boxing”, Antonio “ALA” Aldeguer added glitter to the event when he showed up at the event was heavily applauded when he was acknowldged.

Aldeguer had a hand when the Chao Sy International Promotions decided to mount the card.

“I consulted him about this card and he (Aldeguer) was the one who suggested to have the event stage in Cebu Coliseum,” Sy said in a previous interview.

Sy, the newly minted Sportswriters Association of Cebu Sportsman of the Year awardee, was extremely satisfied with how the card turned out.

“It was very succesful and I thank those who came to support,” said Sy.

The card was co-promoted by China-based FISTCO Boxing Promotion.

Sy assured that together with FISTCO, more quality boxing cards will be staged in Cebu.

“That’s really our goal: revive boxing in Cebu,” Sy said.(CCM)