FULFILLING young boxers’ dreams to become champions someday is the main driving force of 33-year old Joeric Calisang who took over the reins of the Phil-Aust Boxing Stable which will now be known as Team Joeric Boxing.
The Cebuano Calisang was instrumental in Rodel Wenceslao’s stunning victory over the heavily favored Weng Haya of SGG Promotions last Saturday, in their Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF) welterweight title fight in Danao City.
Wenceslao, 22, won against Haya via decision and admitted that he won’t be able to win the belt without the all-out support given to him by his new handler, Calisang.
“Before ni abot si boss Joerick, dawat kay dawat ra mi ug mga duwa bisan kahibaw mi nga pildihinunon mi. Karon naa na siya mo guide namo ug mo suporta namo maong dako kaayo kog kalipay ug pasalamat niya sa iyang suporta,” said Wenceslao.
Calisang said his application to promote fights is still being processed by the Games and Amusements Board (GAB)-Cebu. He revealed that once his license is approved, he will be promoting his first fight card here and eventually establish his own boxing gym whose main focus will be the grassroots level.
A businessman, Calisang partnered with two veteran trainers, the father and son tandem of Edcel and Edmund Tuñacao who are developing two young boxers, Rimon Rama and Jeffrey Stella. His stable has six pro fighters and around 20 amateurs.
Though Rama and Stella just debuted in the pro ranks, both fighters have solid amateur credentials having won gold medals in national tournaments.
“Kaning mga bataa grabe ka kugihan, kani sila nakadaog na ni ug mga gold medals sa national tournaments so naa sad jud silay potential ug talent. Maong pursigido sad kaayo mi mo suporta nila,” Edcel Tuñacao said.
Tuñacao said Calisang treats his boxers as family. Because as a former MMA and boxing trainee, the latter knows the travails that aspiring boxers go through.
Following Wenceslao’s (10-11-1, 3KOs) huge win last Saturday, Calisang is planning to send his ward to Japan to train against top welterweights there.
The plan, though quite expensive, is just part and parcel of Calisang’s mission to help his boxers achieve their full potential.