The government of Sibulan, Oriental Negros, is developing a boxing program inspired by the feat of world boxing champion Jimrex Jaca who hails from Brgy. Bolob-boloc in the town.

Mayor Antonio Renacia said the victory of Jaca, whose real name is Jimwel Divino, over Mexican pug Geronimo Hernandez, and the growing popularity of Jaca has inspired young residents of the town to go into boxing.

Jaca, a product of the Amateur Boxing Association of Negros Oriental, stopped Hernandez in the first round of their fight which was one of the undercard bouts of the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales rematch last month in Las Vegas.

Renacia said the Sangguniang Bayan Committee on Sports will stage an inter-barangay boxing competition that will end during the town fiesta in June.

He said preparation for the tournament is underway and the town will be tapping ABANO trainers to conduct boxing clinic among the aspiring Sibulan boxers.

The tournament winners will be supported to become professional boxers. Renacia said among the sports in the country, it is only in boxing that Filipinos have a greater chances of winning world titles.

Meanwhile, he said that Jaca received P10,000 as incentive from the Sibulan government during the Charter Day celebration of the town in January 31.

The Oriental Negros government has also contemplated giving P50,000 as cash incentive to Jaca.*RA

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