By Jerome S. Galunan, Jr.

International Boxing Federation (IBF) light flyweight champion Donnie “Ahas” Nietes and Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) flyweight champion Jay-r Raquinel recently paid a courtesy call on Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia at the Bacolod City Government Center, where the IBF champion, a native of Murcia, expressed his appreciation for the support from local fans.

“I hope, with everyone’s prayers, I can continue [to] bring pride and honor to our country,” he said.

The mayor also lauded Nietes, who is the current longest reigning Filipino boxing champion.

“I hope Donnie will further extend his winnings and write another [piece of] history as the longest-reigning boxing champion in the world,” he said.

Meanwhile, former Games Amusement Board (GAB) Chairman Juan Ramon Guanzon, who was present during the visit, encouraged Negrenses interested in boxing to pursue the sport, noting the presence of the Bacolod Amateur Boxing Association, where he serves as president.

“We don’t limit our program to those from Bacolod alone,” Gunazon explained, pointing out, Raquinel is originally from Cauayan. “It’s open to every Negrense who wants to learn the sport.”

However, he also discussed the challenges that come with the sport.

“Promoting boxing requires money which is hard to find in Bacolod,” the former GAB official stated. “Boxing is more passion than business; if you want to develop champions, you have to spend for them without expecting anything in return.”/JSG, WDJ