Taking a cue from a Facebook post of Viva Promotions last July 14, 2024, the said boxing firm has it that the world title fight between Philippine’s Vincent “Asero” Astrolabio (19-4, 14 KOs) and Japan’s Junto Nakatani (27-0, 20 KOs) will be an appropriate tribute Chino Trinidad’s “legacy and contribution to the growth of Philippine boxing,” the post reiterates.
Skeptics
The Nakatani-Astrolabio fistfight will occur today, Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Ryōgoku Kokugikan in Tokyo, Japan. The game is promoted by Akihiko Honda, a globally recognized promoter.
Vincent Diazen Astrolabio is a huge, massive underdog coming to this fight and we cannot blame even Filipino boxing fans and pundits (including those who pretend to be an authority in the sport) for saying that the Asero will pass through the eye of the needle to get this one.
Nakatani, a former karateka, the current WBC bantamweight belt holder, a 3 division champion, and arguably next best to Naoya Inoue when it comes to popularity, power, and skills among other current Japanese champions. When Nakatani turned professional in 2015, he won his first 8 fights and 7 of them were via KO. Further, after his only 4 years as a pro, he already won straps in 3 different weight divisions.
Imagine
that. Indeed, it was a @highlight of a tall order for Astrolabio.
This is Astrolabio's second attempt to get a world championship strap after bowing last May 2023, via a majority decision to Jason Moloney for the vacant WBO bantamweight title.
But in one of his recent outings before he died, the great Chino Trinidad positively declared, “Vincent Astrolabio is a world champion in the making,” and Viva Promotions also posted that “[Trinidad] has been an inspiration to us all, motivating us to work harder in promoting and supporting the local boxing talent in the Philippines”.
Farewell
The best and the most admirable thing about Chino Trinidad is that he was able to live and make a name outside the shadow of his equally great father Recah Trinidad. He made a very distinct journalistic style, at least from my perspective as a lowly boxing fan in a remote island province in the country. I was not into the circle of sports personas and had never been in big sporting events therefore I do not know Chino personally and have never seen him in person.
I love his style of reporting and presenting his views, there’s a wit and humor in it, has a good command of every language he utilizes. Though very casual in telling his stories, his passion is oozing in his eyes and lips whenever I see him on TV.
Manny Pacquiao said in his mini-tribute to the man, “Chino was more than a great journalist; he was a true patriot who loved Philippine sports with all his heart. His honesty and dedication inspired many,” says the world’s only 8-division champ.
Vincent Astrolabio is a protégé of Manny Pacquiao and Sean Gibbons, all friends of the late Chino Trinidad.
Upset
The
beauty of boxing is that it is the most unpredictable of all sports. There is a
litany of remarkable upsets in the history of the sport. Douglas-Tyson,
Ruiz-Joshua, et al, name it. As long as it lingers in every boxing fan’s
memory, the possibility is always there.
Astrolabio and his team are now in Japan after a rigid training at the MP Boxing Gym Davao under the tutelage of the distinguished coach Nonoy Neri.
Do not underestimate Astrolabio. Especially if it comes from our biases and assumptions or his association with those you do not like. Things that do not necessarily reflect the fighter’s true capacity and capabilities.
When a great person passes and a big underdog upsets an opponent, they often receive more appreciation albeit retrospectively.
Fight,
Asero, fight and win in hostile soil today!
-------
(Postscript: Nakatani won via First Round body shot KO and retains his title)
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