World Class Moment of Truth
Bleacher Talk
Feb 18, 2007
World Class Moment of Truth
Cebu has always been proud of being world-class. Our economy and over-all business environment is said to be one of the best in the country. Our export and tourism industry have placed Cebu on the world map. And our service industry has stood out above the rest. World class!
But are these all that we have? There’s so much more to make Cebu world-class and the sports industry is no exception. Sports also plays a major role in helping build Cebu’s image, and this department still has a lot of room for improvement. While we have proven to have produced world-class athletes, the jury is still out on our capability of hosting world events on a regular basis.
We’ve hosted many international events in the past such as a some events of the last Southeast Asian Games, a world championship in practical shooting, an international marathon, an arnis tournament, an international dancesport competition and a few basketball tournaments laced with foreign teams. These are the Cebu-hosted international tournaments that I can recall top-of-mind. The irony is that while we’ve hosted these events in the past, we’re not yet at that level of having world class or world championship events being held here on a regular basis. The vision of Cebuano sportsmen in this case should be to have Cebu host world-level tournaments all year-round. Tough? Impossible? I say let’s dream on and go for it! Let’s make Cebu golfers dream of hosting an Asian Tour event. Let our volleyball officials prove that we’re better than Boracay as a beach volleyball venue.
But did you notice a big event missing in this list? A sport for which Cebu is known as a hotbed and a producer of world champions?
Boxing! World championship fight in boxing? The last world championship fight that Cebu hosted was on June 14, 1997 when Gerry Peñalosa defeated Korea’s Seung Koo Lee via a ninth round knock out at the Mactan Airbase in Lapu-lapu City. For the record, Dindo Castañares defended his WBF super lightweight title in 2005, but then again, the WBF isn’t exactly at the same level as boxing’s Big 4 (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO).
Don’t look now but February 24, 2007 is going to be a date with destiny for Cebu sports. The event is called “Moment of Truth.” While it’s a moment of truth for Z Gorres, Boom Boom Bautista, Jimrex Jaca, Bert Batawang and AJ Banal, I also see it as a world-class moment of truth for Cebu Sports. Is Cebu capable of hosting world championship fights of the highest caliber. Can we dream of becoming the Vegas of Asia? Qualifier: for boxing and entertainment, not the gambling and the red light stuff.
At the rate they’re going, so far so good. SGG Sports Promotions is working night and day to ensure that this Saturday’s event at the Cebu City Sports Complex will be as grandiose as the Sinulog. With all the progress that we’ve heard about the event, it sure looks like it’s going be an unforgettable affair. But then again, I don’t want to speak so soon.
So far, the boxers and their respective aides from abroad should already be in town. They’re due to meet the press for the first time today. Accommodations have been made with Cebu’s top hotels not only for the visitors but also for the top local boxers featured in the event. Not bad! Aside from the visiting boxers, SGG also has to accommodate all the VIP’s of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the fight’s referee and three judges, and the horde of journalists coming from Manila and abroad.
The Cebu City government has thrown its support in the form of a tax exemption of the gate receipts (ticket sales). ABS-CBN will televise the fights on a slightly delayed basis and TFC will take care of the international telecast. I’m also pretty sure SGG has already made both ends meet as far as sponsorships and expenses are concerned (at least that’s what I’ve heard).
And what’s our role in making the event world-class? Let’s go watch and support not only Z, Boom Boom and company. Let’s go there to support the event as a whole. Our presence will show to the world that the Cebuano fan is also world-class. We know how to appreciate a good fight card and we treat visiting guests with a warm welcome.
The “Moment of Truth” is going to be only the start of better things to come. This is going to serve as a fitting prelude and preview to the postponed Boxing World Cup that has been on the drawing boards. It’s going to be a rehearsal for the real thing, and mistakes will be opportunities of learning while achievements will be moments of excellence.
The ultimate scenario to come out of all these is when Cebu will host a truly big-time world championship event that will draw the herds of boxing fans from all over the world. Yes, the same kind of stuff that Vegas hosts. We’re talking about the same level as a Thrilla In Manila, a Pacquiao or de la Hoya fight.
World class moment of truth indeed it is for Cebu.
**
Time-out: Congratulations to Bebot and Pinky Licuanan on the baptism of David Lance Licuanan. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
Feb 18, 2007
World Class Moment of Truth
Cebu has always been proud of being world-class. Our economy and over-all business environment is said to be one of the best in the country. Our export and tourism industry have placed Cebu on the world map. And our service industry has stood out above the rest. World class!
But are these all that we have? There’s so much more to make Cebu world-class and the sports industry is no exception. Sports also plays a major role in helping build Cebu’s image, and this department still has a lot of room for improvement. While we have proven to have produced world-class athletes, the jury is still out on our capability of hosting world events on a regular basis.
We’ve hosted many international events in the past such as a some events of the last Southeast Asian Games, a world championship in practical shooting, an international marathon, an arnis tournament, an international dancesport competition and a few basketball tournaments laced with foreign teams. These are the Cebu-hosted international tournaments that I can recall top-of-mind. The irony is that while we’ve hosted these events in the past, we’re not yet at that level of having world class or world championship events being held here on a regular basis. The vision of Cebuano sportsmen in this case should be to have Cebu host world-level tournaments all year-round. Tough? Impossible? I say let’s dream on and go for it! Let’s make Cebu golfers dream of hosting an Asian Tour event. Let our volleyball officials prove that we’re better than Boracay as a beach volleyball venue.
But did you notice a big event missing in this list? A sport for which Cebu is known as a hotbed and a producer of world champions?
Boxing! World championship fight in boxing? The last world championship fight that Cebu hosted was on June 14, 1997 when Gerry Peñalosa defeated Korea’s Seung Koo Lee via a ninth round knock out at the Mactan Airbase in Lapu-lapu City. For the record, Dindo Castañares defended his WBF super lightweight title in 2005, but then again, the WBF isn’t exactly at the same level as boxing’s Big 4 (WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO).
Don’t look now but February 24, 2007 is going to be a date with destiny for Cebu sports. The event is called “Moment of Truth.” While it’s a moment of truth for Z Gorres, Boom Boom Bautista, Jimrex Jaca, Bert Batawang and AJ Banal, I also see it as a world-class moment of truth for Cebu Sports. Is Cebu capable of hosting world championship fights of the highest caliber. Can we dream of becoming the Vegas of Asia? Qualifier: for boxing and entertainment, not the gambling and the red light stuff.
At the rate they’re going, so far so good. SGG Sports Promotions is working night and day to ensure that this Saturday’s event at the Cebu City Sports Complex will be as grandiose as the Sinulog. With all the progress that we’ve heard about the event, it sure looks like it’s going be an unforgettable affair. But then again, I don’t want to speak so soon.
So far, the boxers and their respective aides from abroad should already be in town. They’re due to meet the press for the first time today. Accommodations have been made with Cebu’s top hotels not only for the visitors but also for the top local boxers featured in the event. Not bad! Aside from the visiting boxers, SGG also has to accommodate all the VIP’s of the World Boxing Organization (WBO), the fight’s referee and three judges, and the horde of journalists coming from Manila and abroad.
The Cebu City government has thrown its support in the form of a tax exemption of the gate receipts (ticket sales). ABS-CBN will televise the fights on a slightly delayed basis and TFC will take care of the international telecast. I’m also pretty sure SGG has already made both ends meet as far as sponsorships and expenses are concerned (at least that’s what I’ve heard).
And what’s our role in making the event world-class? Let’s go watch and support not only Z, Boom Boom and company. Let’s go there to support the event as a whole. Our presence will show to the world that the Cebuano fan is also world-class. We know how to appreciate a good fight card and we treat visiting guests with a warm welcome.
The “Moment of Truth” is going to be only the start of better things to come. This is going to serve as a fitting prelude and preview to the postponed Boxing World Cup that has been on the drawing boards. It’s going to be a rehearsal for the real thing, and mistakes will be opportunities of learning while achievements will be moments of excellence.
The ultimate scenario to come out of all these is when Cebu will host a truly big-time world championship event that will draw the herds of boxing fans from all over the world. Yes, the same kind of stuff that Vegas hosts. We’re talking about the same level as a Thrilla In Manila, a Pacquiao or de la Hoya fight.
World class moment of truth indeed it is for Cebu.
**
Time-out: Congratulations to Bebot and Pinky Licuanan on the baptism of David Lance Licuanan. >>> You can reach me at bleachertalk@yahoo.com.
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