Boxing men for Duterte A KO WIN VS. CORRUPTION SEEN IN RODY DUTERTE PRESIDENCY

By Manny Piñol

Pinoy Pride 29 was a reunion of sort for me and my old boxing friends who I have not worked with for a long while.

At the USEP Gym in downtown Davao City last night, I worked side by side with sports commentator Bill Velasco for the live broadcast commentary of Pinoy Pride 29 for The Filipino Channel of ABS-CBN which was beamed via satellite to a world wide audience.

I had to twist my tongue and brush up on my English before the broadcast because Bill and I were required to do the commentary in straight English because the broadcast was for the US, Canada, Mexico and other countries where TFC is seen.

Veteran boxing commentator Ronnie Nathanielsz teamed up with lawyer Ed Tolentino for the local broadcast of ABS-CBN which will be aired today on Channel 2.

Former agriculture secretary Sonny Dominguez, an avid boxing fan, seasoned referee Bruce Mctavish, sportswriters Beth Celis, Abac Cordero, Nick Giongco and Roy Luarca, and boxing judges led by former journalist Salven Lagumbay were also at ringside making the event a happy gathering of old friends.

In the pre-fight conversation which we had in the lounge of the gymnasium, I was surprised to discover that the country’s boxing men are also believers and supporters of Davao City Mayor Rody Duterte.

Ronnie Nathanielsz, Bill Velasco and Ed Tolentino believe that Duterte is the kind of leader that the Philippines needs today.

“This country needs a leader who could instill discipline,’ said Velasco, a sportscaster who I have worked with in several occasions over the years.

“It’s Duterte by knockout,” said Bruce Mctavish, an old Duterte friend who is married to a Pampangueña, Carmen Tayag of Angeles City.

What came as a more pleasant surprise, however, was the revelation of Nathanielsz that Tony Aldeguer, the man behind ALA Boxing Promotions which is now headed by his son, Michael, is a big Duterte fan.

“You know partner, Tony Aldeguer really admires Rody Duterte,” Nathanielsz told me last night.

Boxing men who were in the USEP Gym last night were unanimous in their belief that the tough-talking and incorruptible mayor of the world’s 4th Safest City to Live In will be able to score a knockout over corruption and criminality in the Philippines.

There was an air of excitement as we talked about how the Philippines would look like under the Presidency of a man who has led a simple life in spite of his long years in government service.

What makes the future look exciting is the fact that Duterte is also a die-hard boxing fan who once watched a boxing event in Davao City until 1 o’clock in the morning.

Certainly, a Duterte Presidency will be a knockout.