By Waylon Galvez
Emboldened by its successful staging of a four-card event last month, Cebu-based Omega Sports Promotion is looking to put one on December 18 also in Mandaue City, Cebu.
Julius Erving Junco, the head trainer of Omega, said Monday that the boxing promotions headed by Pio Paulo Castillo III is still finalizing the pairings.
“We’re still finalizing the opponents (of our fighters at Omega stable),” Junco told Manila Bulletin-Tempo. “But same set up, we’ll continue to implement the same protocols approved by the government.”
Last Oct. 7, the Omega Sports Promotions staged the country’s first-ever slugfest
amidst the pandemic. It was considered a success since none got sick before and after the event.
Organizers followed the protocols approved by the Joint Administrative Order (JAO) – composed of the Games and Amusements Board (GAB), the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) and the Department of Health (DOH).
Aside from the regular swab testing of boxers, coaches and officials, the event was held inside the ‘bubble’ – or at the Omega-owned International Pharmaceuticals Inc. (IPI) facility in Mandaue City.
Four of the Omega fighters saw action, including World Boxing Association South light flyweight champion Ronnie Vecilles, who won a fourth round knockout against Baguio City’s Junuel Lacar.
Aside from Vecilles, fellow Omega boxers Christian Araneta, Penitente Apolinar and Carlo Bacaro scored contrasting wins.
Aside from Omega, two other promotions have already received clearance to stage an event.
Sanman Boxing Promotions of JC Manangquil will stage a five-card fight on Nov. 21 led by former WBO bantamweight champion Marlon Tapales at the Sanman Gym in General Santos City.
The Games and Amusement Board gave its approval to Quibors Boxing Stable, which is finalizing its discussion with the city government of Bacoor, Cavite.
