I couldn’t make it to this event- luckily I have some family that watched it live. I’ve been keeping track online for the results. Here it is… 5-1, Philippines defeats Mexico in the 2007 World Cup of Boxing! Unfortunately, my favorite Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista got knocked the heck out in Round One. Much props to 35 year-old Gerry Penalosa taking the WBO Bantamweight Title from 25 year-old Jhonny Gonzales. According to CBS Sportsline, they predicted a 3-3 draw. I can’t imagine what kind of wagers were happening, especially in Vegas, but if you took Philippines as the favorite… you got yourself some good dough. As a longtime boxing (overall sports) fan, I can tell you that the lighter weight divisions are the most exciting to watch. I respect both Mexico and the Philippines for having the best fighters all-around, pound for pound, throughout history. With the rising popularity of MMA (which I enjoy as well), there has been some declined interests in boxing. Rest assured, boxing is not dead- the future is here with those 12 amazing young fighters (well, except for Penalosa) who battled today at Arco Arena in Sacramento, CA.
PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL!!! PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL!!! PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL!!!
i can say that’s the best experience ever and will be remembered the most in philippine boxing history. we’re the world’s best. do you have any info what country would be challenging the title by 2008?
It’s probably too early to determine who would be challenging Philippines for next year’s Boxing World Cup. Our World Cup win definitely goes down in Philippine Boxing History- let alone Philippine Sports History.
Mabuhay ang Pilipinas! Japan and Argentina are interested in challenging Philippine boxing for the World Cup trophy. Both countries have great boxers so I think that it will be exciting.