By Rey Danseco
The first ever "1st GAB Philippine Annual Boxing Convention" unwraps today, about 250 local and foreign participants are expected to attend at the Hotel Hyatt and Casino Manila along Roxas Boulevard in Manila.
“The main target here is the enhancement and enrichment of our Philippine boxing industry,” said Commissioner Alex Paglumotan of the event’s organizer, the Games and Amusement Board (GAB).
The early birds to arrive are high ranking boxing officials from abroad , including World Boxing Foundation (WBF) president Mick Croucher, who flew Saturday from Australia, and World Boxing Organization (WBO) Asia Pacific chairman Leon Panoncillo.
Panoncillo, a Hawaii native of Filipino ethnicity, arrived Tuesday from Bangkok, Thailand as he is also preparing for the supervision of the second title defense of WBO Asia Pacific flyweight champ Rexon Flores on April 21 at Cavite Coliseum in Bacoor, Cavite.
Other expected participants in the 4-day affair are Thai Police General Kovid Bhakdibhumi, president of the WBC Muay Thai and Asian Boxing Council. He is scheduled to land in Philippine soil as of press time yesterday from Bangkok with WBC Muay Thai secretary general.
The powerful head of WBC International Mauro Betti of Italy will also be in attendance along with the representatives of Chinese and Japanese boxing commissions, World Boxing Association vice president and Pan Asian Boxing Association head Yang Sup Shim of Korea and his PABA executive director Alan Kim.
Some activities lined up in the event will be symposiums and lectures on medical, officiating, refereeing, judging and the pro boxing rules and regulations.
There will also have boxing matches on April 21 and the awarding of “Boxer of the Year” to Manny Pacquiao.
Former world champions will also receive awards. Those who confirmed their attendance are Rene Barrientos, Rolando Navarrete, the Penalosa brothers Dodie Boy and Gerry, Malcolm Tunacao, Erbito Salavarria and even long-time California-based Luisito Espinosa.
President Gloria Arroyo will serve as Guest of Honor and Speaker.
The event is also considered as dry-run to the 2007 WBC Annual Convention in Manila.
