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Pacquiao 2.0: Philippines scouts for boxing's next big thing

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Ron Lopez, Agence France-Presse

MANILA, Philippines - In the boxing-obsessed Philippines, scores of young fighters dream of becoming the next Manny Pacquiao, but it takes a sharp eye and vast experience to pick out a potential world champion.That expertise comes from the scouts and trainers who scour amateur matches at dusty town &quot;fiestas&quot;, rely on spotters&#x27; referrals or size up hopefuls as young as eight training in well-worn gyms.They are the lesser known but vital cogs in the Philippines&#x27; boxing machine, which has produced dozens of world champion fighters, many of whom were born into poverty.It&#x27;s a risky way to make a living -- some coaches have faced ruin when the fighters they have backed, pouring money into their training and upkeep, didn&#x27;t win. But when victory comes, the pay-off can be big, or at least enough to keep going in the sport they love. The shining example is, of course, Pacquiao. Born into a poor family, he quit school at 14 and ended up on the street. Pacquiao, now also a Philippine senator, declared assets worth some $59 million in 2018.His career, including an unparalleled eight world championships in different weight divisions, is a tempting incitement to boys born into similarly bleak circumstances.While in real life they may be impoverished and ignored, in the boxing world they are a precious element to be forged into winners. &quot;We, the coaches, are looking for boxers who would become the next Manny Pacquiao so we teach them everything, including discipline and humility,&quot; said Anthony Ornopia, a former boxer who is now a trainer.Spotting them is more art than science, but the scouts are looking for more than just the ability to pummel opponents with their fists.&quot;The number one trait I look for in a boxer is the attitude,&quot; trainer Joven Jimenez told AFP, saying his fighters need to be &quot;determined, obedient and disciplined&quot;. &quot;It&#x27;s a bonus if the boxer looks good, too,&quot; he quipped, saying it helps in the promotion of a match.<div>&#x27;MANY BOXERS FAILED&#x27;</div>A dozen fighters train under his guidance in a rough outdoor camp south of the capital Manila, spending hours a day sparring and lifting weights.Jimenez&#x27;s star, and partner in the gym, is 27-year-old Jerwin Ancajas, who is set for an IBF junior bantamweight title defense in December. The boxers are a significant investment -- and gamble -- as they are fed, housed and given a modest allowance.Years of training expenses and no wins drained Jimenez&#x27;s savings, and by 2013 he was forced to sell his properties to stay afloat.But exercising the same determination they demand of their fighters, Jimenez and Ancajas kept going -- even if they had to train in vacant lots and in the street.Then in 2016 came what they had hoped and prayed for: Ancajas&#x27;s IBF junior bantamweight belt. A defense of the title a year later netted enough cash to invest in their own gym.The enormous popularity of the sweet science in the Philippines means scores of children gravitate to gyms, but just a handful stick it out.&quot;Out of 10 children, there will only be one or two of them who really wants to pursue boxing,&quot; said trainer and coach Edito Villamor.&quot;I hope just one of two of them will (succeed),&quot; he added. &quot;Just one or two of them and we&#x27;re good.&quot;One of the hotspots of boxing in the Philippines is Pacquiao&#x27;s hometown, General Santos City in the nation&#x27;s south.Regular tournaments put plenty of contenders on display, and serve as a magnet for fighters from other areas.&quot;We look for the potential of the boxer whether he wins or loses in a fight,&quot; said promoter JC Manangquil of Sanman Promotions, which has 40 fighters including 12 who have won international titles.Once they take on a boxer, the real work of training and shaping begins. It can take years, and many fighters don&#x27;t make the grade.&quot;People always think that what we do is very simple -- one fighter gets big and famous and gets money,&quot; he said. &quot;But they don&#x27;t know how we reach that after many boxers who failed.&quot;

MANILA, Philippines - In the boxing-obsessed Philippines, scores of young fighters dream of becoming the next Manny Pacquiao, but it takes a sharp eye and vast experience to pick out a potential world champion.

MANILA, Philippines - In the boxing-obsessed Philippines, scores of young fighters dream of becoming the next Manny Pacquiao, but it takes a sharp eye and vast experience to pick out a potential world champion.

Pacquiao 2.0: Philippines scouts for boxing's next big thing

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Pacquiao 2.0: Philippines scouts for boxing's next big thing

Ron Lopez,

Agence France-Presse

Published November 28, 2019 01:11 PM PHT

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Updated November 28, 2019 03:17 PM PHT

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Manny Pacquiao

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