The Undefeated Gwapo to inspire you

The Undefeated Gwapo to inspire you

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After the Flight of the Century

By Rachelle Cruz

Marc ‘Gwapo’ Pagcaliwangan

The six-year-long-awaited “Fight of the Century” that recently transpired at MGM Grand in Las Vegas caused Manny Pacquiao’s fans up in arms, with outcries of utter disappointment. Netizens took to social media and made derisive comments about the underwhelming performance of the world’s greatest boxers; or Mayweather’s slippery defensive tactics (though some argued that he’s the best counter puncher); or a rant (maybe a lawsuit?) about Pacquiao’s undisclosed injury–everybody had a say (and rightly so if they’re waging high; or paying the $100 pay-per-view subscription); because stakes were high. When everything has been said and done, most people contend that the MayPac bout was overrated and overpriced. What was once considered an elite gentlemen’s sport, the spirit of boxing, has apparently been usurped by the dirty tricks of the money-making business end of the stick.

Still, Filipinos’ fervour and loyalty to their heroic icon remains undiminished. And this 24-year old Filipino-Canadian super bantam weight boxer is no exception, “ I am still proud of Manny and I am always a fan,” he said, words that resonated with many Kababayans.

So it was a dream come true for Marc “Gwapo” Pagcaliwangan to be able to train side by side next to his idol Pacquiao in Los Angeles, few days before the fight.

“It was amazing! Getting advice from him and training with him. I did his morning workout, we would run, and then shadow box and do abs. It was very motivating!” Gwapo expressed.

“He’s my idol, I grew up watching him and he’s the one that inspired me to be the fighter that I am today,” he said.

In his league, Gwapo can hold his own.

His undefeated record remains intact, with nine wins under his belt, seven of them knockouts. His recent bout at the Shaw Boxing Festival at the Fairmont Royal York was a milestone in his unblemished career. His opponent Hungarian Robert “The Boss” Kanalas, fell to a KO by the fourth round with Gwapo’s brutal left hook. Still, it’s a trial by fire, between years of training and fighting, with his style ever-evolving as he faced different opponents over time.

Gwapo was born in Toronto but raised in London, Ontario and is the eldest of the three siblings. His mother Francisca is a nurse from Zamboanga while his father Henry Pagcaliwangan is from Lipa City, Batangas, and works as a project manager for MedTech Wristband,

“One time I brought him to a one of Manny Pacquiao’s fight, when Manny fought Morales and that was the very first time I brought him to the fight and he liked it. Since then, he started bugging me about it, he started idolizing Manny, and that’s where it all started,” Pagcaliwangan said.

“First time I saw Manny Pacquiao, and seeing him walk into the ring and all the Filipinos in the auditorium waving the Philippine flags and watching him fight, it was amazing,” Gwapo quipped.

Shortly after, his father took him to the Ring London Boxing. His amateur career consisted of 45 fights, bagging three Ontario Golden Glove titles and two Provincial championships. Later, he relocated to Montreal to start his pro career. Today, his team consists of his coaches Socrates Celestial, Glen Erjas, Sean Fulgencio, all three from Mississauga, including Steve Molitor, a two-time time world champion from Sarnia.

His manager/agent, Mark Erwin, may have had something to do with the consecration of his name,

“When I met my manager Mark Erwin, I had to do this audition for boxing. I had to meet up with him at the gym and I had my team with me. He told my mother, ‘Oh Mark’s a pretty good looking kid,’ and I guess my mom said, ‘Yeah, yeah he is!’ and after that my friend, he’s a Spanish guy, he kept calling me “Gwapo” and since then it got stuck,” Gwapo said.

But don’t let the niceties and polite behaviour fool you. Inside the ring, it’s a different story.

“I can mix it up. I can fight, I can brawl. But in a way, I can be a counter puncher. I have a very slick style where I’m very hard to hit. In that sense, I can also fight as a brawler where I come at you and try to kill you,” he said laughing.
Though he remembered the match against Mexican Lizardo Moreno as most challenging,

Marc ‘Gwapo’ smashes Mexican Lizardo Moreno
(Photo coutesy of Blair Diamond Photography)

“He was more experienced. He had about 50 fights in total and he was very tough and strong,” Gwapo explained. In the end, he came out victorious.

Still, life as a boxer isn’t easy.

“Boxing is a very lonely sport,” Gwapo confessed.

“All my family, my friends, my girlfriend, everyone’s in London (Ontario) but when I have a fight, I go down to Mississauga just by myself and I spend the whole day in the gym. You beat your body up and your body is so tired. It’s intense but it’s worth it in the end when you win.”

His manager Erwin said that he needed someone that respected the sport.

“The one thing that Marc has done effortlessly is the sacrifice. Cause he really gets it. For someone who is that young to get it, is remarkable. He has discipline. His state of mind,” he praised.

So for folks who’s faith in the sport might have been ripped to shreds more recently, take note, there’s an upcoming champion to win you over again.

Boxing is not dead after all.