Baguio as mixed martial arts capital

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

BAGUIO CITY – At the rate boxers of international and local stature are training in this summer capital and winning their bouts, this city could have another tag as the boxing or martial arts capital of the country. 

           

Unknown to most Cordillerans, Dayer Gabutan, who trained here and successfully defended his World Boxing Organization Oriental bantamweight crown in the undercard of the recent Brian Viloria – Omar Niño Romero boxing bout is actually from Barangay Ambagiw of Besao, Mountain Province.

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Gabutan, who defended his crown for the fifth time, easily outpointed Dado Cabintoy at the Ynares Sports Center in Pasig City and won by unanimous decision.

           

The 23-year-old Mt. Province native earned his 18th career win on top of his eight knock outs with a loss and two draws while Cabintoy suffered his third defeat in 14 fights.

           

Gabutan also extended his winning streak to 12 since suffering his first loss against Richard Pumicpic in 2009.

           

The fourth ranked bantamweight of Highland Boxing Gym turned pro in 2008 and captured his first professional boxing title when he defeated Jilo Merlin via a unanimous decision in their 12-round minor title in 2010.

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 In the bout reigning WBO flyweight champion Brian Viloria scored an impressive knockout victory over former WBC light flyweight champion Omar Nino Romero of Mexico.  

           

After his knockout victory, Viloria, who hails from Ilocos Sur, improved his record to 31-3 with 17 win by way of knock out while Romero drops to 31-5-2 and 13 wins by way of knock out with the loss.

           

Another boxer, RodelMayol, also fought in the undercard and scored three knockdowns over Julio Cesar Miranda and ran away with a unanimous decision.

           

Mayol trained in Baguio City together with boxing champion, Rep. Manny Pacquiao recently. Light welterweight Amir Khan, the pound-for-pound king’s sparring partner also trains in Baguio every now and then.

           

There are a lot others who have trained in Baguio. Even those in the mixed martial arts competitions like the URCC, and who won in major events, have made Baguio their home base.

           

These include the Apo Lakay guys the likes of Bernard Folayong who are full blooded Igorots.

           

There is something in the full-bodied Igorot male physique which makes it suitable for them for combat or full contact sports. Although, they may often lack in height, there is a new breed among them who are making raves not only in the national but international levels.

           

At the latest mixed martial arts competitions, our locals got trophies and earned a niche for being fearless and skilled combatants.

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In a related development, a report by Patrick Rillorta of the city press information office said around 100 of the Baguio delegation are now in Dumaguete City for the second Philippine National Games.

The Baguio team wasreportedly a mixture of athletes mostly engaged in contact sports where a lump of the city’s gold medals came from.

Jack Sungdayan, the lone athlete for PengchatSilatwent to the Visayan city from Baguio morning of May 21, aboard a Super Ferry carrying 21 judokas, 20 wrestlers, 22 arnisadores, 21 wushu and 24 track and field athletes who wanted to be early for acclimatization.

The city government of Baguio through Mayor Mauricio Domogan approved and released early more than P1 million to cover the delegates’ transportation, food and other expenses.

This, aside from the Taekwondo Jins expenses going to another venue in Laguna also for national games to represent the city there. It won’t be a wonder if Cordillerans would bring home again most of the medals particularly in contact sports.

The national competition was revived in 2011 by the Philippine Olympic Committee and Philippine Sports Commission after being inactive for 13 years.

It is a venue for aspiring athletes from the local level to become members of the national pool. It was held last in Bacolod City where the Baguio delegation brought home most of the gold medals.

This year, the PNG was hosted by Dumaguete  and the Province of Negros Oriental and will see action stating May 26 to June 3.It is open to all athletes nationwide as it is a replica of the Olympic games.

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It is at this juncture that maybe the city government could come up with a general sports program aside from giving funds for the city’s PNG delegat4es. Such programs could address contact sports to encourage healthy living among the youth to discourage them from illegal drugs or alcohol.

Protagonists who engage in fistfights due to drunken stupor could be convinced to channel their excess energy to contact sports.