TdeCCQslcwM Credito: Foto de vk.com/boxnews.com.ua

Por Jonathan Gaudier / Prensa OMB –

SAN JUAN, PR(06/07/16)– La Organización Mundial de Boxeo, presidida por el Lcdo. Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, tendrá presencia significativa este sábado11 de junio de 2016 en el Teatro del Madison Square Garden de Nueva York, donde estarán en juego cuatro campeonatos de este organismo. 

En el choque estelar, el Campeón Mundial jr. ligero, Román ‘Rocky’ Martínezexpondrá su corona ante su homólogo de la división plumaVasyl Lomachenko. 

El Lcdo. Valcárcel fungirá como supervisor de este choque entre campeones de la OMB. Los jueces para el encuentro serán Carlos Ortiz (Ridgewood, NY), Robin Taylor (Brooklyn, NY) y Donald Trella (GrotonCT). El tercer hombre sobre el cuadrilátero lo será Danny Schiavone (Hartford, CT).    

Entre tanto, el Presidente del Comité de Clasificaciones, Luis Pérez, será el supervisor del combate entre el Monarca Latino ligero, Félix Verdejo, y el mexicano, Juan José Martínez. Los jueces serán Larry Hazzard, Jr. (Union, NJ), John Stewart (Lawnside, NJ) y Ron McNair (Nueva York). El árbitro será Michael  Ortega (East Haven, CT). 

Pérez también supervisará la defensa del Campeón Internacional mosca, Zou Shiming, ante Jozsef Ajtai. Los jueces para este encuentro serán Frank Lombardi (Connecticut), John Stewart y Anthony Paolillo (Nueva York). El tercer hombre sobre el cuadrilátero será Ron Lipton. 

Mientras, la primera defensa del Campeón Mundial Juvenil pluma, Christopher ‘Pitufo’ Díaz, ante el mexicano Neftalí Campos, será supervisada por José “Joe” Hernández. Los jueces serán John Stewart, Frank Lombardi y John Basile (Yorktown, NY). David Fields será el árbitro de la reyerta. 

Ese mismo día en el Turning Stone Resort Casino de Verona, Nueva York, habrá otros dos combates titulares. 

Demetrius Andrade defenderá su campeonato Internacional Jr. mediano ante Willie Nelson. Mientras, Ruslan Provodnikov y John Molina, Jr. disputarán la vacante faja Internacional Jr. Wélter 

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Fotos:  Víctor Planas / OMB –

Artículo por Jonathan Gaudier –

SAN JUAN, PR– Como parte del exitoso programa mundial ‘WBO Kids Drug Free’, la Organización Mundial de Boxeo (OMB) y su Presidente, Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, celebraron una emotiva actividad para incentivar a jóvenes boxeadores ex confinados, con el fin de mantenerlos enfocados y firmes en el camino correcto.

El Presidente de la OMB, Francisco ‘Paco’ Valcárcel, junto a directivos de la OMB, ex campeones mundiales y personalidades del boxeo compartieron con varios púgiles del programa de ex confinados.

“Nosotros en la OMB hemos apoyado siempre el programa que comenzó Luvi Calleja, ayudando a estos jóvenes con equipo, torneos y manteniéndolos comprometidos en seguir por el camino positivo”, indicó Valcárcel. “Hoy realizamos esta actividad para entregarles equipo y que sepan que nosotros estamos comprometidos para que sean personas de bien. Contamos con el apoyo de varios ex campeones, quienes nos ayudan a supervisar a estos muchachos y mantenerlos enfocados en el gimnasio. Queremos que ellos sean ejemplo para otros jóvenes que están pasando por la misma situación, para que entiendan que las drogas, la delincuencia y los malos caminos no nos llevan a ser exitosos en la vida”.

Los jóvenes boxeadores ex confinados, recibieron por parte de la OMB uniformes y equipo de boxeo. Esto, para mejorar sus sesiones diarias de entrenamiento en el gimnasio.

“Paco y la OMB nos han ayudado muchísimo. Ellos adoptaron el programa que teníamos con 14 menores, donde bautizamos el área como ‘Módulo OMB’ y los muchachos podían salir a pelear fuera de la institución. Lamentablemente, Corrección nos canceló el programa, pero nosotros seguimos comprometidos con estos muchachos para llevarlos a ser mejores personas y buenos atletas”, dijo el ex campeón mundial junior pluma, Víctor ‘Luvi’ Calleja.

Por su parte, el ex confinado y doble campeón Nacional en las 178 libras, Luis Aponte, manifestó que “este programa ha sido súper bueno para mí. Emocionalmente me ha ayudado bastante, ya que durante mis tres años confinado, pude desarrollarme en este deporte y tener éxito. Ahora veo la vida de otra manera. Si nos mantenemos en la ruta positiva, definitivamente las oportunidades son mucho mejores. Con Dios primero y una mente positiva, no existen límites para triunfar en la vida”.

Además de Valcárcel, Calleja y Aponte, dijeron presente en la actividad los ex campeones mundiales Aléx ‘El Nene’ Sánchez e Iván Calderón, los boxeadores aficionados y ex confinados Roberto Rodríguez y Natanael Rodríguez, el manejador Margaro Cruz y los directivos de la OMB, Adolfo Flores Monge, Alberto Rodríguez y Joe Hernández.

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Contacto:

Jonathan Gaudier

Prensa Organización Mundial de Boxeo

787.215.1073

jonathangaudier@gmail.com

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Story and photos by David Finger

The 26th Annual WBO Congress officially kicked off Tuesday morning at the InterContinental Hotel in downtown Budapest as boxing insiders from around the world came to celebrate some of the exciting developments in the World Boxing Organization in 2013. The event kicked off with roll call, followed by an invocation. After approving the prior minutes from the 2012 Convention, the congress moved forward with the regional Vice President’s reports. Starting off was Vice President Mark Reels, who did reports from the NABO and the WBO Intercontinental. Although the NABO and the WBO Intercontinental both saw a slight drop in activity it still was a productive and profitable year for the regional organizations.

The NABO held an impressive 12 championship fights (with revenue of $46,760) while the Intercontinental held 20 championship fights (with a revenue of $68,560). Reels also discussed the success of the WBO in developing world class fighters. Reels discussed how the NABO has seen 54 of the 262 fighters who fought for the belt subsequently fight for the WBO title. Although Reels downplayed the statistic, expressing a desire to see that number rise, it nonetheless impressed many at the table, with President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel calling it “impressive.”

“Our issue is with quality over quantity,” Reels said during his presentation, “we have criteria for a fighter who is able to fight for a title.” Reels, however, did want to see some leniency on the issue of fighters getting sanctioned for NABO and WBO InterContinental fights, noting some good fighters who technically fell short of the high standards set by the WBO in regards to qualifications. President Valcarcel expressed concern over the idea.

Still, with all 15 NABO championship fights since last year’s convention being televised by a major TV network, Reels had an impressive year by nearly any standard. “As far as activity levels go, it is low,” Reels added, “but we really are recognized the world over.” Reels then discussed the revenue of the Intercontinental, confirming that the WBO Intercontinental collected over $40,000 of the $68,560 income in 2013.

From there Vice President Istvan “Koko” Kovacs presented his report on the WBO Europe. Although he admitted it was a “quiet year” he still was happy to announce that it Iwas still a productive year for the European continent. There were 13 Intercontinental title fights, with 9 taking place in Europe. There were also 14 International title fights, with 9 taking place in Europe, as well as 11 WBO European title fights. There were 6 WBO Youth title fights, with 4 taking place in Europe, 21 female title fights, with 5 taking place in Europe, and 32 world title fights with 10 taking place in Europe. Overall the WBO had 29 fights in Europe, a drop from 38 the previous year. WBO Europe’s revenue in 2013 was $40,500. Kovacs also commented on the previous issue with the British Boxing Board, commenting on how the WBO no longer has any problems working with the BBB. The BBB refused to recognize the WBO in previous years.

Next was Vice President Jorge Molina’s report on the WBO Latino. Molina admitted it had been a “hard year” for the Latino, with “only 25 Latino title fights in 10 months.” Still, Molina was able to point to the WBO Latino’s proud tradition and was able to proudly say that the WBO Latino continued that tradition in 2013. “#7 WBO Latino Champions became world champions,” Molina said, “and four of our WBO Latino champions have become world title holders (this year).” The WBO Latino raised $26,000 in the 25 title fights since the last convention, with 13 planned title fights to round out the year.

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From there a short video on the WBO’s widely successful WBO Kids Drug Free program was shown.

Next was Andrew Smalle’s WBO Africa regional report. Smalle admitted it was a slow year, with 7 WBO Africa fights since the last convention. From November of 2012 to December of 2012 there were three title fights, with revenue of $5,050. From January of 2013 to August of 2013 there were 4 WBO Africa title fights with revenue of $4,800. However, Smalle confirmed that additional income was expected as some sponsorship allocation was expected to kick in before the end of the year. Smalle also commented on the WBO’s commitment to high standards for the quality of the fighters who compete for the WBO African belt. Smalle’s commitment to the highest standards for WBO title fights has resulted in a lower number of championship fights, but also of a growing reputation in the continent.

“It’s been a challenge but I don’t see it as a negative at all,” Smalle admitted, “it can only go up from where it’s at now. We are a young organization, and one of our proudest moments was one of our fighters winning a championship earlier this year.” Smalle noted that despite the low activity, the WBO Africa’s high standard has resulted in it being the only regional African organization that has seen all of its champions ranked in the world rankings after winning a regional belt.

Next came Leon Panoncillo’s report from WBO Asia. Similar to the other organizations WBO Asia saw a slight decline in revenue, but it has continued its commitment to quality. Since the last convention the Asia-Pacific held 14 championship fights, raising $27,700. Panoncillo also anticipated holding 10 more fights before the end of the year. The WBO Oriental title had 5 fights, with 8 more planned for the end f other year. The WBO Asia Pacific Youth title had three title fights, raising $3,750. Although Panoncillo admitted that the Youth title has “not taken off” he was optimistic that a major Filipino television network was interested in partnering up with the WBO Asia-Pacific to award a youth belt to the winner of a “Contender” like reality series involving young prizefighters in the Philippines. Panoncillo’s biggest coup came with the exciting developments of his newest title: the WBO International championship. In just one year the WBO International title has become a highly prestigious belt, with Manny Pacquiao and Brandon Rios fighting for the vacant belt in Macao on November 24th. Panoncillo confirmed that the WBO has custom made a new belt for the winner of that fight.

The next report came from Zhang Tao on the China Zone. Although the WBO China Zone held only 7 fight shows, the WBO is still making headway into the world’s largest market, and Tao informed the board that he looked forward to hosting the WBO in China. Joe Hernandez then spoke of the Cuban boxing scene, and his desire that the situation in Cuba would soon open up. “When it (Cuba) does come free, the WBO will be at the forefront.”

Markus Aslani followed with his report on female boxing in the WBO. He proudly announced that the WBO had a good year, with an emphasis on quality in regards to female championship fights.

After lunch there was a brief discussion on ratings by Luis Perez, followed by a report by Luis Bautista Salas, which not only focused on “loyalty” but also discussed the successful year of the WBO, with 54 total championship fights (33 men’s championship fights and 21 female championship fights). There was a brief discussion on the growth of the WBO in the British boxing scene.

“We have good working relations and we want to see how we can continue this in the future,” President Valcarcel said.

A discussion from representatives from the Japan Boxing Commission followed, which was a clear sign of the WBO’s success in breaking into a new market. At the last congress in Budapest in 2009 there was a controversy over the WBO’s inability to operate in Japan. The growth in Japan since then was a clear victory for the WBO as it moved forward in Japan.

Next came the legal report, in which the WBO legal representatives discussed several pending legal issues. Several issues regarding trademark registration was discussed, with several brands extended into 2018. They then followed up with a discussion on the recent litigation in Puerto Rico. Some confusion emerged in 2012 in regards to the administrative level, with the Puerto Rican Department of treasury moving forward with legal action against the WBO in regards to its tax exempt status.

“It’s confusion over what we actually do,” one of the legal advisors for the WBO said, “It’s a lack of knowledge of the working issues of the organization.” Although the WBO is confident that they will prevail, several members understood that even if they do not prevail in litigation, it will have little major impact on the WBO. If there is an issue we will simply change the way we disperse funds,” one legal advisor of the WBO said.

Rounding off Day One, WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel gave a special shout out to WBO Asia Vice President Leon Panoncillo over the impressive developments in Macao and the Philippines.

“We control Asia from A to Z,” Valcarcel said, “everything that occurring Asia is very important to us.”

Rounding off the night, boxing insiders visited the Lázár Lovaspark, where they were delighted by a traditional Hungarian horseshow as well as a traditional Hungarian dinner.

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http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/wbo-congress-day-one-report-221703

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Photos: JC Pixz Caribe Promotions

Today at the popular Cuban Restaurant Versalles in Miami, FL a press conference was held where newly crowned WBO jr. featherweight champion Guillermo Rigondeaux officially recieved the belt he took from Nonito Donaire on April 13 from the hands of WBO President Francisco “Paco” Valcarcel.

It was a full house with lots of emotions where Rigondeaux was accompanied by his co-promoter Boris Arencibia and Luis Fonseca of Caribe Promotions, Major League pitcher Livan Hernandez, former Olympic and world champion Joel Casayamor, trainer Pedro Luis Diaz, former amateur world champion Ramon Garbey and WBO Vice President Joe Hernandez amongst others.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/rigondeaux-gets-belted-by-wbo-president-in-miami-188615