Onra… from PDN

June 19, 2008 by  
Filed under Special Forces

Sanchez wins bronze at California tournament

by: Roman Dela Cruz

Editor’s note: This column is about mixed martial arts, and will appear on a biweekly basis on Thursdays.

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Hafa Adai,

The World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2008 tournament in California was an excellent experience and a positive step forward for local combat sports, even though we may have not returned with all the results we hoped for.

Lessons learned and a clearer picture of our position in international BJJ is only oxygen for an already existing fire that will definitely reveal waves of talent and opportunity for its growingly diverse population.

A few updates

  • Congratulations to Mike Sanchez for bringing back a bronze medal in our juniors blue belt featherweight division in this year’s World Jiu-Jitsu Championship.
  • Good luck to Tessa Simpson in her mixed martial arts debut in this weekend’s Godz of War single female bout.
  • Trench Warz 8: Kontra is on Saturday at the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands’ largest combat sports training facility at TrenchTech Purebred in Saipan.
  • Justin Cruz is three Saturdays away from his title match in the Philippines’ Universal Reality Combat Championship July 5 and Patrick Ayuyu is getting ready for another kickboxing match scheduled for July 21 in Tokyo.

    MMA regulation

    In light of recent discussions on issues regarding the Guam Athletic Commission potentially replacing the current Boxing and Wrestling Commission, it needs to be said that MMA events are sanctioned on Guam and have been since our first SuperBrawl in 1997.

    In order to protect Guam’s identity in international boxing and to protect fighters from fraudulent promoters, the late Jimmy Ferrante initiated the Guam Boxing Commision. By aligning the rules of the GBC with those of the Nevada Boxing Commission, Ferrante introduced similar protocol for promoters and fighters to provide the structure and atmosphere that would attract participation from international fighters, as well as cement our place in the at-the-time world’s biggest combat sports attraction.

    The stability and integrity of our commission was supposed to serve as an attraction for foreign boxers and foreign boxing organizations to give them faith in the reliability and professionalism of Guam’s professional boxing industry and environment.

    I was given the blessing and the curse of working closely with and against Mr. Ferrante during event promotions. As a novice promoter, I could not believe the demands of the commission and used to shun and ridicule regulations that I thought were silly, overprotective and did not apply to Guam MMA. I still feel the same for many of these rules, but overall, I can see the purpose of the filter (empowered by the backing of our local government) we know as the Guam Boxing Commision.

    Respect needed

    The seed that has been planted over a decade ago has already grown into a fruit-bearing tree. It is inconceivable that we should try to move forward without efforts toward a more effective and cooperative neutral body in service, not to any particular event or fighter, but with the focus on the integrity, credibility and potentials of our industry. But in order for this commission to be effective, it must be empowered, and for this commission to be truly empowered, it must be respectful.

    I have been in recess from the promotions game for some time now, but it would be nice to know that when I do get involved in another MMA event, I’d be dealing with an educated, synergized and focused commission with a purpose of creating rules and regulations to service and complement our MMA industry. Not a commission that wants to make it more difficult to be a part of.

    With everything electric that has happened to date in our islands with professional combat sports, it would be a shame if the local commission adopted foreign and new laws and protocol blindly. Our people, our islands, our efforts deserve more than that. Observe the current state of our art, reflect and learn from the lessons behind us. Take a step back and place this commission into our bigger picture.

    The GBC is fortunate to be in such a neutral position. But it is a commission that, in its larger vision, needs both hindsight and foresight. You are the glue that professionally holds together an industry and lifestyle that is semi divided by differing academies, affiliates and martial disciplines. You hold both the ears and voice of a thriving industry.

    With the increased pace in local professional combatives, it seems that events are coming every month with more than enough game fighters waiting in line for their 15 minutes of fame. There is a great task at hand for the new GBC. I have met with most of the members and can recognize and have confidence in their good intentions. We can all see their efforts in reaching out to the community. Our intercommunication is the key to ensuring the body be of, for, and by our people.

    This is applause for the efforts and good seeds of necessary structure planted by Jimmy Ferrante, and a prayer for the rise of a revised commission that can hopefully, in collaboration and communication with the powers that be, lead our industry with efforts that can match, or even exceed, the sacrifices of our fighter-athletes and promoters.

    Roman Dela Cruz is a mixed martial arts super-fan, and a representative of Fury MMA

  • Comments

    3 Comments on "Onra… from PDN"

    1. Weapons: Bos on Fri, 11th Jul 2008 12:40 pm 

      Always good to read about MMA or UFC.

      Can I ask though – how did you get this picked up and into google news?

      Very impressive, is it something that is just up to Google or you actively created?

      Obviously this is a popular blog with great data so well done on your seo success..

    2. mma on Mon, 21st Jul 2008 8:12 am 

      I find this blog very interesting, i will be here everyday till now. Greetings

    3. Cano Cruz on Thu, 25th Sep 2008 5:40 pm 

      Hafa Adai Roman,

      I had read this article on PDN a month or so ago. Understanding your involvement with the sport and with GBC under the late Jimmy Ferrante, it is good to see that you still in one way or another stay involve. I together with Jimmy Ferrante started the “new” GBC in 1995 after I had decided to hang up the gloves after 14 years of boxing. I was there when TJ and Chris Fernandez did their promotions, but unfortunately, I had to step from the commission to concentrate on my personal career and to direct organize the 1999 amateur boxing championships here on Guam. Nontheless, Mr. Ferrante had always called on me for help and believe or not, advise. After training in Puerto Rico and New York’s Bobby Gleason gym for over 4 years with world champions and professionals in the early, representing Guam at SPGs 4 times, being accepted into the Airforce boxing team, and after successfully directing the boxing championships during the 1999 SPG. I fully how this newly appointed commission needs to move forward and work hand in hand with the MMA group.

      The main issue is that the currently the GBC law (14-13) was written in 1977, meaning is it obviously outdate inclusiv of it’s outline for professional boxing. Unfortunately, Mr. Ferrante did not have true support from the government to help him change the law during this time, but always saw the need for it. Mr. Ferrante did great things on Guam for all full contact sports. His legacy today is that he took the bull by the horn and worked with the MMA sport that was up and coming in the late 90′ and help it grow. But, he ruled that commission with an iron fist and we all thank him for doing so. As a matter of fact, next year Guam will see it’s first Amateur Boxing Golden Gloves Championship, “The Jimmy Ferrante Memorial”.

      My point here is that from all the newly apointed board members, I am the only one with fight, coaching and promoting experience during the past 17 year here on Guam alone, I can see the picture. And although somethings in the new proposed bill 313 may not be suitable for Guam, it is a good thing and it is now when we all must come together and make it workable for all stakeholders. Many of the older folks, without trying to be disrespectful, have not evolved from the old days of their most beloved boxing fights, and this creates an issue for the dislike of MMA. Myself, I am just getting acquainted with MMA rules, and have a better appreciation for the sport. However, there is a need for new GBC to push for the update the law, so MMA is included, regulated by law and inscribe it’s evolvement. We need each other’s support and input as well as all other MMA promoters, coaches, fighters and other stakeholders so the new GBC has teeth in regulating and further growing not only MMA, but professional boxing as well that has been dormant for some time now.

      At anyrate, you have done alot for your sport here on Guam and I always read you column on PDN which I find it to be a great read.

      God bless you!

    a penny for your two cents
    and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!