Two high school studes win in their first out-of-school bouts, show older boxers how to fight

Two young high school students won in their very first out-of-school fights as amateur boxers in the Ultimate Knockout Challenge at the Elorde Sports Center in Sucat, Parañaque last Saturday. They were among the 300 boxers who fought in 150 two-round bouts of the UKC XVII.

 

Art Christopher Emmanuel, an incoming Grade 7 student at the San Isidro National High School in Antipolo, and Alexander Almacen, an incoming Grade 8 student at the Muntinlupa National High School, are not newbies in competition fights.

 

In an interview with GMA News Online, Alexander said he competed in the National Capital Region (NCR) Palaro last January as a boxer, while Art said he has been competing in karate since he was four years old, then went into boxing only last January.

 

In the ring, Alexander showed the older boxers at the 17th staging of the Ultimate Knockout Challenge (UKC XVII) how to fight well. He was the dominant fighter, unleashing rapid-fire punches, and often had his opponent in the corner or on the ropes. He won by RSC or referee stops contest.


 

Last school year, Alexander and Art said they attended classes in the morning and trained in boxing in the afternoon for at least two hours.

 

Art said he still takes up karate on weekends.



Art's younger brother, John Carl, is also into karate and boxing. They have three older siblings.

Alexander, 13 years old, has 10 other siblings. He and three of his brothers competed in UKC XVII. Their father in the audience to cheer them on and give a morale boost.


 

The UKC XVII boxers came from boxing gyms all over Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Next week, the bouts will be in mixed martial arts and Muay Thai. Another 150 bouts are scheduled according to the organizers.  — JDS, GMA News