The glory days of Philippine boxing are a cherished part of our nation’s sporting history, and efforts are now underway to bring them back. Leading this charge is the Philippine Boxing Federation (PBF), the country’s most prestigious boxing organization, headed by its president, Dante Almario. Recently, the PBF convened prominent boxing personalities from Metro Manila and Luzon to brainstorm ways to revive the sport.
My friend, Ford Rafa of the Glenford Fitness and Boxing Gym in Taguig, shared in a recent Facebook podcast that one of the group’s main goals is to ensure that boxers in every stable continuously have tune-up matches or “activity fights” as they prepare for world-class bouts. Rafa explained, “One of the hardest things for a boxer who trains relentlessly is not knowing whether he has a fight coming up or not.”
An active fight schedule is indeed vital for any aspiring boxer. While training hones technique and conditioning, only real bouts build true skill, ring intelligence, and mental toughness. Regular fights also boost confidence, sharpen instincts, and keep a boxer visible to promoters, helping careers progress steadily. As Rafa emphasized, “We must not deny our boxers these opportunities.”
A key feature of this initiative is fund-sharing. Each boxer’s manager is expected to contribute a portion toward financing these fights, including the prize money for the fighters. Managers and promoters may also shoulder additional costs, though financial matters were not heavily emphasized during the meeting. “The most important thing is that boxers actively training have immediate fights and are never left idle,” Rafa added.
The historic exploratory meeting took place on January 18, 2026, at Max Restaurant in Sucat, Parañaque. Attendees included President Almario and Rafa, as well as VP for Luzon Gerry Balmes, international boxing manager Bebot Elorde, expert matchmaker Art Monis, and boxing legend Gerry Penalosa, among others. Beyond regularly holding events across the country—especially in Metro Manila and Luzon—the PBF is strengthening partnerships with local government units and private companies to sustain boxing competitions in various provinces and municipalities.
The PBF plays a crucial role in organizing and developing boxing in the Philippines, supporting both rising stars and established fighters through sanctioned events and community engagement. It closely coordinates with the Games and Amusement Board (GAB) to ensure proper oversight and support.
Excitingly, the first Philippine Boxing Federation Promotion is now scheduled for March 23, 2026, at the Elorde Sports Center’s Grand Ballroom. More details about this landmark event will be shared as they become available.
In my view, the golden era of Philippine boxing stretched from the 1960s to the 1980s, before gradually fading. Yet, the spirit of grassroots boxing never disappeared entirely. Local boxing organizations must now revive the sport to nurture the next generation of champions. While Philippine boxing may not enjoy the same widespread prominence as in the past, the legacy of those glory days continues to inspire Filipino fighters nationwide. This is the vision that the PBF is pursuing, as highlighted by Ford Rafa and Dante Almario.
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(Photo: Ford
Rafa)
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