SMART Sports and ABC 5 are getting into boxing in a big way with their first major venture “Bakbakan sa Sinulog” at the plush ballroom of the Waterfront Hotel in Cebu City on January 14.

While boxing has always been part of the celebrations during the Sinulog week this will be the first time that Smart Sports and ABC 5 will team up to present a blockbuster fight card headlined by two of the most promising young Filipino fighters who are world-rated, alongside some of the country’s most exciting amateur finds.

Undefeated 21 year old Milan “Melinyo” Melindo (19-0, 5 KO’s) who is ranked No.1 by the WBO, No. 3 by the WBA and IBF and No. 5 by the WBC in the minimum weight division will move up in weight to challenge 22 year old WBC Intercontinental Youth flyweight champion Anthony Villareal of the United States in the main event.

Ala Promotions vice president Dennis Canete informed us that since Smart Sports wanted a title at stake Villareal, an American of Mexican descent agreed to put his title on the line at the catch-weight of 110 pounds.

Negotiations are underway to get a top-class bantamweight to battle southpaw sensation AJ “Bazooka” Banal who is rated No. 5 by the IBF and the WBA and No. 7 by the IBF in the co-main event.

Smart has consistently sponsored the world title fights of pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and bankrolled the “Yanig sa Taguig” fight card in which Pacquiao demolished Thailand’s Fahsan 3K Battery in four rounds to win the vacant WBC International super featherweight title before some 30,000 cheering fans at The Fort on December 11, 2004.

Pacquiao’s phenomenal achievements have inspired scores of young Filipinos to take up the sport and carve a name for themselves internationally and Melindo and Banal are among these promising youngsters.

The decision of Smart Sports and ABC 5 to venture into presenting big time fight cards featuring world class Filipino fighters on a regular basis is certain to provide an added incentive to young fighters.

Their innovative approach of featuring professional and amateur fighters on the same card is bound to help develop a roster of amateur standouts for the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines under its Chairman, the eminent businessman-sportsman Manny Pangilinan and its president Ricky Vargas, a key executive of PLDT-Smart.

Philippine light welterweight champion Mark Jason Melligen is en route to Tijuana where he will battle 31 year old Fabian “El Lobo” Luque who has a record of 21-8-4 with 12 knockouts on Saturday- Sunday, Manila Time.

Longtime Cebu resident Tony Martin who has been handling Melligen’s training at the Top Rank gym in Las Vegas that ALA boxing gym trainer Edito “Ala” Villamor had arrived in the US to work Melligen’s corner in the fight against Luque.

Although the Mexican lost his last two fights they were against top-class, undefeated opponents including WBA No.1 ranked Dimitriy Salita who has a record of 30-0-1 with 16 knockouts.

Luque lost to Salita by a 5^th round TKO on February 28, 2008 and then lost by a 2^nd round TKO to undefeated Dierry Jean of Canada who has a record of 16-0 with 10 knockouts and is considered one of Canada’s best prospects. That fight took place on October 4, 2008.

The 23 year old southpaw Melligen has a record of 14-1 with 10 knockouts and after being signed up by promoter Bob Arum, the hard-hitting southpaw started training at the Top Rank gym in Las Vegas . He had previously trained at the Mayweather gym also in Las Vegas where Floyd Mayweather Jr had watched him train and was quite impressed.

Melligen made his US debut with a 5^th round TKO over Gerardo Cesar Prieto on March 7, 2009 and followed it up with a unanimous eight round decision over tough Ramon Montano who had earlier dropped a split decision to then WBC lightweight champion David Diaz who in turn lost his title in a 9^th round demolition by the “Hero of Asia” Manny Pacquiao.

In preparation for the Luque fight, Melligen sparred with Argentina ’s Marcos Rene Maidana (25-1, 24KO’s) who is scheduled to face undefeated Victor Ortiz for the WBA junior welterweight interim title on June 27.

Martin reported that Melligen “more than held his own against Maidana who is really strong and who tries to load up with power shots all the time.” However, the much-improved defense of Melligen and his good movement prevented Maidana from tagging him.

Martin noted that the young Filipino was becoming more confident and it showed in his sparring and training in Las Vegas .

The Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided today to suspend the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Kuwait , effective 1 August 2009, which should provide the Philippines a warning about the dangers of government interference in sports.

The interference of Philippine courts which are considered a branch of government alongside the executive and the legislative as well as actions of the Philippine Sports Commission in internal disputes of the Philippine Olympic Committee and its National Sports Association may be regarded as government interference in sports which the IOC frowns on.

In an email received by www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, the IOC pointed to Rule 28.9 of the Olympic Charter which states that “the IOC Executive Board may take any appropriate decisions for the protection of the Olympic Movement in the country of an NOC, including suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from such NOC if the constitution, law or other regulations in force in the country concerned, or any act by any governmental or other body causes the activity of the NOC or the making or expression of its will to be hampered.”

The IOC noted that “The Olympic Charter states that NOCs must preserve their autonomy and resist pressure of any kind — including, but not limited to, political, legal, religious or economic pressures — which may prevent them from complying with the Olympic Charter.”

The IOC maintained that the suspension of the Kuwait NOC was decided upon “in order to protect the Olympic Movement in Kuwait from interference by the Kuwaiti public authorities.”

It stated that the deferred suspension will give public authorities responsible for sport in Kuwait time “to amend a national sports law currently in force that is not compatible with the principles and rules of the Olympic Movement. The law prevents the NOC and the Kuwait Olympic Movement as a whole from complying with the principle of autonomy of sports organizations as set out in the Olympic Charter.”

The IOC said that together with the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) and the Kuwait Olympic Committee, it has tried for nearly two years “to find an appropriate and concerted solution with the local and government authorities in Kuwait . However, the IOC was informed that the government authorities were not in a position to respect their commitments within the set deadlines.”

The IOC statement said that on the basis of the provision of the Olympic Charter (Rule 28.9 in particular), and in order to protect the Olympic Movement in Kuwait, the IOC Executive Board ruled as follows:

The Kuwait Olympic Committee will be suspended on 1 August 2009 if, by 31 July 2009 at midnight (CET), the process of amending the local law is not duly finalized, as per the agreements signed and the written commitment from the Kuwaiti authorities.

The director of the IOC’s department of National Olympic Committee Relations Pere Miro said “It is critical that this situation is resolved as soon as possible for the sake of sport and in particular the Kuwaiti athletes. I am hopeful that satisfactory measures will be put into place before the 31 July deadline in order to avoid the implementation of such a sanction.”

Filipino boxing hero Manny Pacquiao has won unstinted praise from Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and one of Thailand ’s top boxing officials, WBC vice president Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi during a whirlwind promotional tour for San Miguel Beer in Bangkok on Monday.

Pacquiao and his party which included business manager Eric Pineda and lawyer Franklin “Jeng” Gacal along with four San Miguel Corporation executives returned to Manila past midnight aboard a private jet of SMC after what Pineda described as a “tiring but worthwhile trip.”

Pineda said they were “surprised by the number of media personnel who covered the Pacquiao visit and the really nice gestures” by the Thai premier and other officials. .

The WBC official Gen.Kovid praised Pacquiao for being “not just a hero of the Philippines but a hero of all Asia .” He said “his victory is also our victory.”

Prime Minister Abhisit commended Pacquiao for being an inspiration to children in Southeast Asia , saying “He is a good example for children in the region and inspires them take up boxing.”

Veteran journalist and Bangkok Post columnist Edward Thangarajah told www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Pacquiao received a hero’s welcome in Thailand which is also a hotbed of boxing.

Prime Minister Abhisit said Pacquiao “helps promote Asean” or the Association of Southeast Asian nations in which Thailand and the Philippines are leading members along with Indonesia , Malaysia , Singapore , Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia and Myanmar .

During the meeting with the Prime Minister at Government House, Pacquiao gave a replica of a world championship belt and a pair of autographed boxing gloves. Abhisit jokingly told Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-arch with whom Pacquiao alsomet “I hope he (Pacquiao) does not think we are in parliament” in reference to a recent incident in which a government member of parliament and an opposition lawmaker nearly engaged in a fisticuffs.

During an earlier press conference at the IntercontinentalHotel, Pacquiao was asked about two things – politics and boxing.

Asked whether he wanted to become President of the Philippines , the Bangkok Post reported that Pacquiao deftly side-stepped the question saying “I don’t think about it at the moment. Now I only focus on boxing. I will think about politics kater.”

The Post also claimed Pacquiao displayed the hallmarks of a politician when he praised Thailand during the news conference. Pacquiao was quoted as telling the media “I always dedicate my fights to my country. But I know that many Thais follow my fights. I am honored that they consider my victories as theirs. I hope to be able to continue to make Thais proud.”

He added, “I also hope that this trip will inspire Thai youth to take up sports and become the next generation of champions from Southeast Asia .”

Pacquiao said he believes Floyd Mayweather Jr will prove too much for Juan Manuel Marquez to overcome in their scheduled July 18 welterweight showdown. In an interview with Julian Turner of the Bangkok Post, Pacquiao said “Mayweather has a lot of advantages. He is faster than Marquez and should be able to win.”

The reigning world’s No.1 pound-for-pound fighter said if Mayweather, the former pound-for-pound king before he retired beats Marquez , “I’d like to fight him” although he conceded it would be up to his promotional team which is headed by Top Rank’s Bob Arum. Pacquiao stipulated a Mayweather fight would have to be at a catch-weight between 140 to 145 pounds.

Boxing patron and chairman of the ALA Gym Tony Aldeguer informed www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports that Nietes dropped the challenger four times in the fight beginning with the opening round. Nietes showed his skill and power in decking Ramirez also in rounds 4, 9 and 12 en route to a unanimous decision.

IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire who is deep in training for his title defense against undefeated Raul “The “Cobra” Martinez at the Araneta Coliseum on March 22 is full of praise for the Penalosa brothers who are helping him prepare for a tough title defense.

Donaire said in an email from his Baguio City training camp that WBO champion Gerry Penalosa, former two-division champion Dodie Boy Penalosa and their brother Jonathan Penalosa “have been the greatest for me during the training camp.”

Donaire said people scared him by saying it was so cold in the Philippines summer capital which is at an altitude of 5,100 feet but he and wife Rachael who is a taekwondo champion are okay because its like the weather in San Leandro, California.

Donaire who has amazed Gerry Penalosa with his skill and punching power as well as his relentless training regimen noted that “life’s been pretty demanding and hectic since my last fight but that’s how life is.”

He said he and his wife Rachael “enjoyed the holidays with family and new family here in the Philippines and I’ve gotten to know some great people and have picked up a new camp along the way.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum informed us some weeks ago that the title defense of Donaire had been pushed back from March 15 to the 22. The Donaire-Martinez main event is part of a championship double-header that will also feature former WBC light flyweight champion Brian Viloria against IBF champion Ulises Solis of Mexico .

The 27 year old Martinez of San Antonio, Texas. is undefeated with a record of 24-0 including 14 knockouts and is conceded to be a tough fighter and a worthy challenger although Donaire disclosed that he had beaten him in their only meeting as amateurs in the US Olympic trials for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games where Viloria was selected to represent the US .

In his last fight Martinez scored a knockout over Victor Proa (26-0, 19 KO?s) at 1:08 of the first round to retain his International Boxing Association super flyweight title last November 14.

Reporting on that fight boxing writer Jake Donovan said the battle of the unbeaten super flyweights “turned into a slaughter as Martinez needed just 68 seconds to snatch the “0″ from poised Mexican banger Proa”.

Donaire has described Martinez as a good fighter with speed and power and a future prospect but believes he has a decided edge over the challenger.

WBO bantamweight champion Gerry Penalosa who is training alongside Donaire in their Baguio City training camp told us that no flyweight or super flyweight in the world, including WBC/WBA and IBF champion Vic Darchinyan can beat Donaire on his present form which he said was “amazing.”

Donaire won the IBF/IBO flyweight titles with a sensational one-punch KO of Darchinyan on July 7, 2007.

Filipino ring idol Manny Pacquiao continues his training at the Wild Card Gym of celebrated two-time “Trainer of the Year” Freddie Roach in relentless fashion as he prepares for his “Dream Match” against Oscar De La Hoya at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on December 6.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports, Pacquiao’s conditioning guru said he sparred a total of seven rounds today (Tuesday in the US) . He said he first went four rounds with Rashad Holloway and followed up with another three rounds with Marvin “Much-too-Much” Cordova whom he sparred with for the first time.

The 27 year old Holloway is over 5’10” is a light middleweight with a record of 9-1 with 5 knockouts while light welterweight Cordova is undefeated with a record of 20-0-1 with 11 knockouts.

Ariza said Holloway was “taller than De La Hoya and definitely bigger than De La Hoya” and that Pacquiao “looked good and did better than I expected.” He described Cordova as “very good, very big and very fast” and said he stepped into the ring to spar with Pacquiao after he had done four rounds with Holloway.

Ariza revealed that Pacquiao had gotten to Cordova who told him after the sparring session that “Manny’s body shots wore him down.”

Ariza said that his sparring session with British lightweight Amir Khan (18-1, 14 KO’s) last Saturday also went very well but that Khan would spar with Pacquiao only occasionally since it doesn’t benefit Khan in preparation for his next fight also on December 6 against an opponent who is orthodox and not a southpaw like Pacquiao.

Following his sparring session with Pacquiao Khan was quoted by Lance Pugmire of the Los Angeles Times as saying “Manny is in great shape – very explosive, very fast, you don’t know where his punches are coming from. He’s got a good chance to beat Oscar.”

The conditioning expert who was credited with doing a great job in helping prepare Pacquiao for his 9^th round demolition of WBC lightweight champion David Diaz in a fight where the Filipino southpaw carried his weight well, showed remarkable hand-speed and awesome punching power said Pacquiao was different from other fighters., after another. He is relentless and never gives you time to catch your breath

Ariza said when he lands a punch “its one after another

He said “once he catches you with a good shot he will give you no rest.” Ariza said Pacquiao was currently holding his weight at 152 pounds and he was very happy with that and the way the preparations were going, overall.

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum said Roach was “very, very pleased and its tremendous.”

Arum also expressed the hope that the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States would help lift confidence and help improve economic conditions which also have a bearing on the sport in terms of attendance at the fights and pay-per-view buys. He said he voted some ten days ago because he didn’t want to stand in line for five hours on election day and predicted the Democrats would win because “this president (George Bush) has been a disaster.”

IBF/IBO flyweight champion Nonito “The Filipino Flash” Donaire retained his IBF title which was on the line against mandatory challenger Moruti Mthalane of South Africa with a 6^th round TKO victory at the Mandalay Bay Resort Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas .

Donaire hardly showed the flash that saw him win the title with a spectacular, perfectly-timed left hook against Vic Darchinyan on July 7, 2007. Drachinyan himself reached greater heights a short while before Donaire stepped into the ring with a dominating 9^th round knockout of WBC/WBA champion Cristian Mijares to add the titles to his IBF super flyweight crown.

There was no doubt that the taller Filipino was the more skilful fighter who used his left jab and hooks as well as a solid right to get the better of the overly cautious and defensive Mthalane who nevertheless did have his moments although they were few and far between.

Donaire whose last fight was an 8^th round stoppage of Mexico’s Luis Maldonado in December 2007 was clearly showing the effects of an almost year-long layoff when his former promoter Gary Shaw apparently couldn’t get him a fight.It took a move to the astute Bob Arum of Top Rank to land Donaire a title defense and a solid purse of $250,000.

Donaire began the fight with a feeling-out round using his left jab to size up Mthalane and then connecting with a hard right over the South African’s left.

Donaire began to move around well and slip the challenger’s punches but Mthalane connected with an overhand right before Donaire caught him with a left hook followed by a right uppercut.

Mthalane connected with a solid right just as the bell sounded for the end of round three after Donaire worked the body with a couple of left hooks. The Filipino switched to a southpaw stance to try and throw Mthalane off and confuse him but the little South African didn’t seem too bothered and appeared to be more relaxed and aggressive which was reflected in the punch stats where Mthalane’s output gave him a two-to- one margin (18-9) over Donaire.

Donaire decided that he was more effective fighting from a southpaw stance which gave him leeway to flick his right straight into the face of Mthalane and then nail him with vicious left hooks which was where Donaire’s power emanated from.

A swelling was beginning to develop under the right eye of Donaire but he connected with a right that opened up a cut inside Mthalane’s eyelid which began to bleed forcing Donaire to point it out to referee Joe Cortez who immediately called a halt.

The ringside doctor took a close look and after consulting with him Cortez stopped the bout “due to a severe laceration over the left eye” of Mthalane at 1: 31 of round six to give Donaire a TKO victory.

In an overseas telephone conversation with www.insidesports.ph, Standard Today and Viva Sports from his dressing room shortly after the fight, Donaire said “when I saw the blood was getting into his eyes and he couldn’t see anymore I felt why do more damage” adding he knew they were going to stop the fight.

Donaire conceded that his performance was not as impressive as he would have wanted it to be but said “its probably the ring rust caused by the long layoff. You know I got the win and that’s what counts.”

Donaire was amazed when we told him about the tremendous performance by Darchinyan saying “wow, that’s terrific.” However, D onaire didn’t specifically discuss a possible rematch with Darchinyan at 115 pounds stating that “whoever they want whatever they (Top Rank and manager Cameron Dunkin) want I’m ready for it.”

Top Rank promoter Bob Arum told us some time ago that should both Donaire and Mexico ’s WBA super flyweight interim champion Jorge Arce win he planned to match them against each other early next year in Manila . There was also the possibility that Donaire may take on WBO champion Fernando Montiel possibly in Macau but there’s nothing definite.

Donaire is likely to visit the Philippines for Christmas with his wife Rachael, a taekwondo champion, who was heard screaming while the fight was going on.

Donaire said aside from the long layoff the other problem was that Mthalane was

“very defensive and that’s what made it hard for me to land my bombs.”

Donaire’s father/trainer Nonito Donaire Sr admitted that his son was not at his best but that it was not due to speculations that he had problems making the flyweight limit.

He said Nonito “couldn’t really move his legs and the guy was an awkward fighter.”