Underdog Boxing: The 2012 Philippine Boxing Dream Team

Whenever the Olympics come around, Filipinos always feel that the best bets for medals will always be the boxers, and why not? Boxing has given the country the most number of medals, the last of which was Mansueto “Onyok” Velasco’s silver medal in the 1996 Olympic Games. The Philippines has produced tremendous amateur and professional fighters throughout the years. The pro boxers have given the country countless world champions, but on the other hand, an Olympic gold medal has remained elusive for the amateur pugs. During each Olympics, after the last Filipino fighter is eliminated, we always go back to thinking that there would be no problem winning an Olympic gold if only our professional fighters were allowed to fight there. This professional versus amateur debate has been going on for so long and both camps have legitimate reasons for wanting to push their cause, but the simple reality is that professional fighters are not allowed to join the Olympics to represent their countries. But what if they were? What if our pro boxers were allowed to go to the Olympics? Would they win easily? Would they finally score that gold? But before that, who would send?   ESPN’s Dan Rafael recently wrote a column where he selected the representatives for each weight division for the USA whose men’s boxing team also failed to land any medal. Curiously, his list contained two fighters who we also call ours, in Brian Viloria and Nonito Donaire. Viloria actually represented the red, white, and blue in the 2000 Sydney Olympics so that disqualifies him from being added to the 2012 Philippine Boxing Dream Team, but Donaire is still an option. Here’s my list of which Filipino fighters would be selected, if professionals were allowed to fight in the 2012 London Olympics. Light flyweight (108 pounds): Donnie Nietes There’s no explaining why Donnie Nietes is still underrated. He has always been one of the most consistent fighters in the Philippines, as the guy just knows how to win. Even if he fights in Mexico, he manages to win every single time. Nietes knows how to take his opponents away from their game plan. He is also an able fighter who knows how to throw punches in bunches. He might have a problem in Olympic boxing against the taller African fighters, but with some luck with the draw, Nietes can definitely get a medal Other options: Denver Cuello and Johnriel Casimero These two other options are more fighters than boxers. Cuello and Casimero are both known for packing wallops so they can literally win rounds by connecting only five punches as long as they hurt their opponents badly. The scoring system is different in the Olympics though, so this might be a problem for either of the two. Flyweight (114 pounds): Milan Melindo The knock on Milan Melindo before was that he lacked power. If he fought in the Olympics though, he wouldn’t need it. Melindo is one of the most skilled fighters in the country. His movement is superb and the way he sets up his combinations is a thing of beauty. He also lands the cleanest punches so scoring for him will not be a problem. A bronze medal should be the absolute minimum for Melindo Other options: Rodel Mayol Rodel Mayol has picked up the slack as of late with his big win over Julio Cesar Miranda. However, he is a fighter who is still rough around the edges. His power is superb but Mayol might have a difficult time scoring against a good defensive opponent. He also uses his head a lot and trigger happy boxing referees will most definitely deduct points from him. Bantamweight (123 pounds): Nonito Donaire Nonito Donaire is the product of a destructive combination of speed and power. He can put up a five punch combination before his opponents can even react and all those punches will hurt. Donaire’s boxing is tremendous. He only looks awkward sometimes because he tries too hard to score an exciting knockout, but if he just concentrates on scoring, there’s no one who could stop him. If given the choice, I think Donaire would rather represent the Philippines, because a gold for Team USA will just be another gold for them but a gold for Team Philippines would forever make him one of our most beloved athletes of all time. Other options: AJ Banal and Drian Francisco The problem with AJ Banal here is that he campaigns in a lighter weight division. He is a regular 118 pound guy, so hanging out with bigger guys may cost him some problems. Drian Francisco on the other hand is also good but he is too awkward. Lightweight (132 pounds): Mecito Gesta Although Mercito Gesta usually fights north of 135, getting to 132 can still be possible for him. He is a thrilling fighters who will always go for the kill. He might have a problem against stylists, but he’s the only Filipino fighter in this weight class who can do some damage. Other options: None available The bulk of the country’s best fighters are now bunched up together from super bantamweight and below. Gesta is the only option. Light welterweight (141 pounds): Manny Pacquiao Well isn’t this the dream? An athlete from the Philippines who is actually the favorite to win the gold medal in his division? Sounds too good to be true but if Manny Pacquiao ever suits up for the Olympics to win the gold, that will just make his already legendary status fly through the roof. Pacquiao will have no problem making the weight. He actually needs to eat a lot of food to retain his fighting weight of 147 pounds, but he won’t need that in the Olympics. Pacquiao’s speed will be key here and his constant movement will make him a nightmare for any opponent. Anything less that a gold will be a let down for Pacquiao, unless of course the judges pull another Timothy Bradley. Other options: None needed When you have the best fighter in the world fighting for you, you don’t need a Plan B. - AMD, GMA News