Chasing a Dream
Ever since the program Paboksing Para sa Masa was launched in 1998 when I became Governor of the Province, I and my brothers have always dreamed of someday seeing a young North Cotabato boxer become a World Champion.
Three attempts have already been made to win the World Title but our boxers failed.
Miniflyweight Rommel Asenjo of Pigcawayan lost in Mexico, Edrin Dapudong also lost in Mexico while Lorenzo Villanueva lost in Singapore.
But the dream lives on.
On Nov. 10, Edrin “The Sting” Dapudong, 27, from Pag-asa, M’lang, North Cotabato will make another attempt to win the world championship.
Dapudong will battle South Africa’s Gideon Buthelezi in Johannesburg, South Africa for the IBO Junior Bantamweight World Title.
Dapudong, who is tall for a junior bantamweight at 5′ 5″, has a good chance of winning the world title.
He is now training in Angono, Rizal under veteran Filipino trainer Aljo Jaro, another Cotabateno who made good in professional boxing.
Dapudong and Jaro will leave for South Africa on Nov. 5 while I will fly to Johannesburg later on Nov. 7 to witness the realization of a dream that I have nurtured for so many years – a World Boxing Champion from North Cotabato.
(Photo shows Dapudong with veteran American trainer Freddie Roach in Baguio City early this year.)
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