While his braggadocio may have toned down with the passing of the summers, broadcaster Hermie Rivera still retains that sharp eye for discovering boxing talents that have the potential to be world beaters.
Among his prized finds was two division world champion Luisito Espinosa who became the first Filipino to win the world WBA bantamweight title after seven others before him had failed, when Espinosa scored a stunning first round knockout over Thai hero Khaokar Galaxy with a so-called phantom punch on October 18, 1989 at the Rajadamner Stadium in Bangkok.
Rivera reveals that there are no boxers in the family, but his father is a boxing enthusiast and the family watches every championship bout on television.
Rivera quotes his mother as telling him that “Coming from the library when he was younger, I recall Julian picking up books about Muhammad Ali. He did have formal training in Tae-kwon-do till he was about 8 or 9 years old, where he earned a black belt. He was a junior varsity wrestler up until he was a sophomore in high school (mainly because his close friends were in it) but soon got turned off by the sport’s “too much body contact.”
At age of 13 Julian, according to his mother,he began going to a boxing gym, but consistent training was put off because of his inability to compete. Around 15-16 years old, however, was when he truly expressed his desire in the sport.”
It was at this point that Julian Santos Chua’s skills “began to emerge.” His first noteworthy achievement in the ring came after a couple of attempts when , at the age of 18, Julian won the 2009 Indiana Golden Gloves in the process beating the 2008 champion last October.
What warmed Rivera’s heart was the fact that despite their hectic schedule both Pacquiao and Roach have committed to help Julian attain his quest for gold in the London Olympics. He said Roach would start “the kid’s evarnest drive at his Hollywood sweatshop while Manny pitches in with his expertise and knowhow. Outstanding.”
He’s hoping that Amateur Boxing Association chairman Manny Pangilinan and president Ricky Vargas will be happy even as Rivera said he will “work out a schedule that allows him to qualify in whatever tryouts the ABAP will require.”
Rivera informed fight fans that they can go to Youtube.com and access Julian Chua in the “Fight of the Night.”
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