PSC-Pacquiao boxing cup to kick off in GenSan

FILE: “This project will call for the nationwide development of the interest and participation in boxing as a sport,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez. (PNA photo)

DAVAO CITY – The first PSC-Pacquiao Amateur Boxing Cup will formally kick off with the preliminary competition for Mindanao on December 16 and 17 in General Santos City.

“This project will call for the nationwide development of the interest and participation in boxing as a sport,” said Philippine Sports Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch” Ramirez.

The event, which is organized and sponsored by PSC in coordination with the office of eight-division world champion Senator Manny Pacquiao, is a weekend boxing tournament that will go around nationwide to scout potential amateur boxers that can be included in the pool of national boxers.

After the preliminary in Gensan, the Mindanao quarterfinals will be conducted in Kidapawan City on February 10 and 11 while the Mindanao semifinals will be in Cagayan de Oro City on March 3.
The Mindanao finals will be hosted by Davao City on March 24.

For Luzon, the preliminary is on January 27 and 28 in Sorsogon, quarterfinals on February 24-25 in Lucena City, semifinals on March 17 in Pangasinan and finals on April 7 in Baguio City.

In the Visayas, the preliminary is on February 3-4 in Ormoc City, quarterfinals on Feb. 17-18 in Bago City, semifinals on March 10 in Antique and the finals on March 31 in Maasin City.

The National Championships will have its preliminaries on April 14-15 in Mandaluyong City, quarterfinals on April 21-22 in Tagbilaran City, semifinals on April 28 in Tagum City and finals on May 5 in Gen. Santos City.

The categories in the Junior Boys and Girls Division (15 to 16 yrs. old) is the Pinweight (44-46 kg.), Light flyweight (48 kg.), Flyweight (50 kg.), Light Bantamweight (52 kg.) and BantamweighLito delos Reyest (54 kg.) while in Youth Boys (17-18 yrs. Old) are Light flyweight (46-49 kg.), Flyweight (52 kg.), Bantamweight (56 kg.), Lightweight (60 kg.) and Light Welterweight (64 kg.) The Youth Girls (17-18) only has four weight categories – Light Flyweight (45-48 kg.), Flyweight (52 kg.), Bantamweight (54 kg.) and Featherweight (57 kg.).

Cut-off dates are 2001-2002 for the Junior and 1999-2000 for the Youth.

This is open to all amateur boxing clubs, organizations, teams, and local government units. However, only one team per LGU is allowed to participate.

“No national boxers in the PSC roster will be allowed to join the tournament to give newcomers a chance to participate,” said Ramirez.