By CALVIN CORDOVA
CEBU CITY — A grassroots boxing program in Mandaue City has just gotten a major boost.
Australian national Christian Faust of Money Punch Fight Promotions has committed to support the amateur boxing program of former world title challenger Edito “ALA” Villamor.
Villamor owns the Villamor Boxing Gym in Barangay Pagsabungan where monthly boxing competitions for aspiring boxing are being held.
“Money Punch is about working with the people like coach Villamor who are really engrossed in the grassroots programs and bringing opportunity to those less fortunate to grow into responsible adults, that’s the first objective,” Faust said in a press conference over the weekend.
Faust said he did not hesitate backing the boxing program of Villamor, believing that his endeavor will keep children away from bad vices.
As a former pro boxer and a world challenger, Villamor is equipped with knowledge to mold future boxing champions, Faust said.
“Coach Villamor is an expert at this by teaching the young kids to keep away from drugs, keep off the streets by getting them into the training program. Everyone in the world knows that if you’re engaged in a sport, you’re less likely to go on the street and cause havoc and problems, and become a mischievous child,” said Faust, who pledged to shoulder the expenses of Villamor’s boxing program for 12 months.
Aside from helping mold young boxers, Money Punch will also venture in other combat sports in Cebu.
“So Money Punch is about helping people like Villamor to achieve their objective, but more importantly, Money Punch is also a business. It’s a business about promoting boxing, mixed martial arts, bareknuckle, jiu-jitsu and any other combat sports but primarily boxing,” said Faust.
Faust said Money Punch will provide Filipino boxers an avenue to hone their skills.
Money Punch will be putting local boxing cards in the hopes of discovering talents.
“A lot of the young fighters these days don’t have the opportunity because the funding is not there. This is not just in the Philippines, it’s also in New York and Brooklyn, it’s also in Australia, it’s also in Germany. Unless you’ve got somebody that’s financially supporting you or sponsoring you. Sponsoring just some gloves and some wraps isn’t going to do it. You really need to sponsor education, training, sparring. It’s not just about the physical aspect of it but also about the mental development of the child,” Faust said.
Money Punch’s first boxing promotion is set next month in Consolacion town, northern Cebu.
