GIVING promising amateur boxers a chance to showcase their skills is an inspiring undertaking.
Senator Manny Pacquiao said this after he visited the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex on Tuesday.
The 38-year-old, eight-division world champion dropped by at the Sports Museum, gave P27,000 in cash to four members of the national boxing team and later discussed his thoughts on the coming Philippine Sports Commission-Amateur Boxing Cup.
“Ito ay pata may magbibigay pansin sa ating mga atleta lalo na sa mga boxers,” said Pacquiao.
Months ago, Pacquiao, according PSC chairman William “Butch” Ramirez, had expressed his concern on the plight of many amateur boxers, who are not getting enough exposure.
“Malungkot kasi siya kasi kulang ng atensyon ang mga boxers, lalo na siya ay considered as one of the greatest boxers in the country,” said Ramirez.
The PSC chief said the staging of the series of tournaments will be like the revival of the Go for Gold, an amateur boxing competition that the Amateur Boxing Association of the Philippines organized years ago.
With the Alliances of Boxing Association of the Philippines joining hands with the PSC, the tournament will have 16 stages leading to the national finals on May 5 in General Santos City.
Preliminary bouts in Mindanao will begin from Dec. 16 to 17 in General Santos City.
It will progress to the Luzon Prelims that will be set from Jan. 27 to 28 in Sorsogon.
Bago City will be the next stop for the Visayas prelims from Feb. 3 to 4.
The ultimate goal of the meets is to tap promising boxers, who will show potential during the competitions.
It aims to encourage young boxers to develop their love for the sport during their formative years.