New GMA 7 show proves a boxer’s life is far from glamorous

Referee Delbert Peligrino (center) lays the ground rules to Joebert Alvarez (second from left) who won, and Delmar Cabatas (second from right), who landed in the hospital.

TAGBILARAN City — For every Manny Pacquiao, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of nameless Filipino boxers who never quite succeed in the ring.

That’s the sad reality of the sport, remarked boxing champ Gerry Peñalosa who’s now top-billing a new GMA 7 show “Buhay Boksingero.”

Peñalosa acted as mentor to the aspiring boxers in the reality show hosted by the Kapuso station’s sports correspondent Chino Trinidad.

From the initial 20 contenders, 10 boxers made it to the finals held at the Holy Name University Gym in this city, capital of Bohol province, last Saturday.

Trinidad noted that the struggles of a boxer offer rich material for a reality show. Think “American Idol” crossed with “Rocky.” Or more appropriately, “Tawag ng Tanghalan” mixed with “Totoy Bato.”

Peñalosa candidly pointed out that lots of boxers come from marginalized sectors and regard the sport as an “escape from poverty.”

Trinidad related that “one contestant worked as a dishwasher in a restaurant and helper in a vulcanizing shop, while another lived in a shanty town in Cebu.”

With this reality show, Trinidad hopes not only to discover the country’s next boxing superstar, but “to improve the skills of athletes and elevate the practice of the sport in the country.”

Peñalosa mentors

(FROM left) Christopher Callanta, Chino Trinidad and Gerry Peñalosa

Toward this end, Trinidad clarified, the contenders surely benefited from Peñalosa’s mentoring, along with tips shared by conditioning coach Christopher Callanta.

According to Trinidad, the contestants underwent five months of rigorous training under Callanta.

“I pushed them to the limit,” Callanta recounted.  “One aspirant turned pale at the start. But my focus was enhancing their strength, speed and agility. Those who religiously followed the program definitely improved their performance.”

To pursue boxing is to literally dance with death in the ring, Trinidad and Peñalosa agreed.

True enough, a contender ended up with a bloody brow and two contestants were rushed to the hospital after the finals.

Still, the obvious question remained: Will Pacquiao guest in future episodes?

“Manny’s physical presence in the show isn’t really necessary because he serves as the inspiration of these young boxers,” Trinidad quipped.

“In the past, boxing fans mostly came from the C-D crowd, but now even people from the A-B sector have become avid followers because of Manny,” Peñalosa explained.

A boxer’s life is far from glamorous, though, Trinidad asserted.

Fans only see Pacquiao’s fame and fortune, but are largely unaware of his hardships — which budding boxers undergo on a daily basis.

Trinidad pointed out that Manny started from nothing, too: “Manny’s story, like the story of most Filipino boxers, is testament to the triumph of the human spirit.”

“Buhay Boksingero” was launched last April and will resume airing on GMA Network’s regional stations in Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Davao, Cagayan de Oro, General Santos, Naga and Dagupan on August 28.

It will also be shown in Metro Manila, on GMA News TV, soon.

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