08.08.07 – By Joshua “Travz” Travilla: The Philippines and Mexico are now ready to cheer on their respective boxers for the much awaited boxing world Cup this Saturday, August 11, at the Arco Arena, in Sacramento, California, between two great Rivals of Boxing today.
The First World Cup of Boxing was disputed between Thailand and Mexico in Tucson, Arizona on October 19, 2005, wherein the Mexicans ruled the said event, but it didn’t seem to captivate what it takes to become a rivalry between two great countries concerning boxing. The main attractions of that fights were Fernando Montiel, who outpointed Pramuansak Phosawan, Jhonny Gonzalez TKO’d Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, Daniel Ponce De Leon decisioned Sod Looknongyangtoy and Hugo Fidel Cazares KO’d Kaichon Sor Vorapin.
In this contemporary era, the Philippines and Mexico have become hostile to each other inside the ring to prove whose worthy to be king. There was the Mano – A – Mano: Pilipinas contra Mexico, (5 (Phil) – 0 (Mex) )whom Oscar “Chololo” Larios and Manny “PACMAN” Pacquiao top the main event and The Battle of Cebu: Moment of truth (4 (Phil) – 1 (Mex) ), where Rey “Boom-Boom” Bautista with Marino Montiel for the WBO Intercontinental and WBO Youth Super Bantamweight Championship and Z “The Dream” Gorres was matched against Fernando Montiel for the WBO Super Flyweight Championship, in which the referee Viruet slapped two point deductions – in the 10th and 12 rounds – from Gorres without a single warning, something that later resulted in a talk of the town issue.
There are lots of match-ups before between a Filipino and a Mexican fighters but nothing compares to date. It all started when previously little known Manny “PACMAN” Pacquiao dismantled the future Hall of Fame Mexican Marco Antonio Barrera. Because of that event, it paved the way for some Filipino fighters to invade the West, and not just preying on Asian counterparts, whom a Hometown decisions are lucid.
Pride and Honor, as what they said, are at stake in this boxing spectacle. The Mexicans must prove to the world once again that they are the world’s boxing force in the lower weight categories and must retain the crown to be consistent in that image. For the Filipinos, this must be a perfect atmosphere for them to prove to the world that they are always capable of beating obstacles to be on top and proclaim their country to be the best in the world. Viva Mexico! Mabuhay ang Pilipinas!