Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

THE KENNEL BOXING GYM

The first Filipino-owned and managed boxing gym in California opens

If not for the popularity of Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, my interest in boxing would be next to non-existent. But of course, since the Pambansang Kamao has won titles left and right, I am not alone in being slowly drawn to the sport.

All the more reason for the hundred thousands of Filipinos in the Bay Area to become not only a part of a growing fan base, but also to consider boxing as a probable career or perhaps, simply as a fitness regimen.

This is why the Jugarap brothers – Arvin, Brian and Diovanne – decided to put up a place where Filipinos can train by creating a championship atmosphere within the professional and amateur boxing world. Thus, The Kennel Boxing Gym was born. Utilizing the tremendous talent, knowledge and experience of Coach Nonito Donaire, Sr., father of IBF/IBO World Champion Nonito Jr. and Glenn "The Filipino Bomber" Donaire, the Jugarap brothers were able to create a strategic game plan in fostering the gym. Nonito, Sr. is a professional Coach/Trainer who has been able to decorate his sons with the NABF, NABA, NABO, WBO ASIA PACIFIC titles. In 2007, he was able to produce his first World Champion, IBF/IBO World Champion Nonito Donaire, Jr. He stands as president, head coach, head trainer of tThe Kennel Boxing Gym.

Asked how and why them gym was conceptualized, Gary Cagaanan, who handles the publicity for The Kennel Boxing Gym, replied: "Arvin and Brian are experienced in professional boxing and have worked with Nonito Sr., so they have extensive experience in boxing. The combination of all of the above, obviously a tremendous amount of interest have grown in the Filipino community because of Manny but at the same time, the Jugarap brothers have been working with Nonito Sr. in training Nonito Jr. and his brother Glenn. And so they have their own interest in boxing as well."

But of course, Cagaanan gives credit to Pacquiao’s popularity and the rise of other Filipino fighters like Nonito Jr. , a fact that has piqued the Filipinos’ interest in the sport. The Jugarap brothers also envision the place as a training ground for Filipino fighters back home.

"That, coupled with the popularity of Filipino boxing now because of Manny and many other Filipino boxers that have come behind Manny, they decided it would be a good idea for Filipinos to own their own gym so that if Filipino fighters, would, for example, land big fights here in the America, they would have a place to come in and train in the Bay Area," said Cagaanan. "And the plan for Nonito Sr. to cultivate talent in the Philippines and then give them the chance to fight here in America," he added.