By this time next year, at least four Filipino fighters will have straps around their waist.
This was the bold claim of American kingmaker Sean Gibbons, who is plotting the mighty comeback of Filipino punchers following the spate of sorry losses the last few months.
“I will have four world title belts by this time next year,” Gibbons told Daily Tribune from the United States.
Jerwin Ancajas will be the first to regain lost glory when he faces Argentine Fernando Martinez on 8 October in Los Angeles.
Also on deck are Rene Cuarto, who got victimized by spotting scoring in Mexico a few weeks ago.
Then there’s ex-world champ Marlon Tapales, world-ranked and US-based Jade Bornea, Vincent Astrolabio and Mark Magsayo.
Gibbons continues to head the Manny Pacquiao-owned MP Promotions, the outfit that handled the affairs of the vast majority of top Filipino boxers rated by the sanctioning bodies.
About six months ago, there were five reigning Filipino world champions.
One by one, they all fell by the wayside, leaving the Philippines without a single titleholder.