THE Philippines again becomes the epicenter of the boxing world when it hosts the 45th World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention from November 11 to 17 at the Manila Hotel.

Games and Amusement Board (GAB) chairman Eric Buhain yesterday said preparations for the biggest gathering of stakeholders of the world boxing industry, which will be held in the country for the first time in more than three decades, are in high gear and that they are already looking forward to its successful staging.

“We’re all ready, almost everything is in place, and we’re very confident that this biggest sporting event in our country this year will be a huge success,” said Buhain during the press conference yesterday at the Manila Hotel.

About a thousand foreign delegates from 180 WBC member-countries are expected to attend the annual event, which the Philippines last hosted in 1975. That hosting was highlighted by the historic “Thrilla in Manila” between legendary boxers Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

Among those who have confirmed their attendance are former world heavyweight champions Lennox Lewis, Vitaly Klitschko and Mike Tyson, as well as renowned promoters Don King, Oscar de la Hoya and Bob Arum. Famed Mexican pug Erik Morales is also coming.

“As of now, there are already more than 600 foreign and local delegates who confirmed their attendance,” Buhain revealed.

“This will serve as great opportunity for our country to get more recognitions as one of the best sources of world boxing champions,” he said. “With this historic event, the world boxing community will be familiarized with the way we produce our boxing champions.”

At present, the Philippines has four reigning world champions—Florante Condes (International Boxing Federation [IBF] minimumweight), Nonito Donaire (IBF fly), Gerry Peñalosa (World Boxing Organization [WBO] super-bantamweight); and Donnie Nietes (WBO minimum).

“Although he is not world champion, we have the very popular Manny Pacquiao who’s currently holding the WBC international super-featherweight title,” Buhain said. 

Among the issues expected to be discussed in the affair are the scoring system, ratings, and improvement of safety measures to avoid ring deaths in the future.

“There are some changes to be implemented in the scoring system and this is expected to be tackled and also the safety measures inside the ring,” Buhain explained.

“Our referees should be well-equipped and informed of all the safety measures to avoid possible ring deaths in the future not only due to mismatches but inability of some referees to act where a fight should be stopped in a certain situation,” he added.

The Philippines takes pride in being one of the 11 original founding countries of the WBC.  Other founding members are USA , Argentina , United Kingdom , France , Mexico , Panama , Chile , Peru , Venezuela , Brazil and Puerto Rico .

WBC president Jose Sulaiman Chagnon will arrive on November 7, six days before the formal opening ceremonies to be attended by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Manila mayor Afredo Lim.

A boxing championship with equally exciting undercards including local professional mixed martial arts, horse race and world charities celebrity poker tournament will highlight the WBC convention.

The former world boxing champions are also scheduled to visit sick and impoverished children at the Ospital ng Maynila or Philippine General Hospital as part of WBC Cares program. 

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