BY the time you read this, the frenzy brought about by the so-called Fight of the Century that happened on Saturday in Las Vegas must have begun to cool down. Of course, it wouldn’t be altogether surprising if plenty of talk continues to go around—about who fought better, about what should have been and what could have been.
Moreover, it will also be of no surprise if the mania over boxing remains in this country long after the mega bout is over. In fact, some celebrities we know have been drawn into boxing well before the long-delayed Mayweather-Pacquiao face-off was sealed.
Now 35, Jon Hall still possesses most of the qualities that made him the hottest male model more than a decade ago. He is still suave, amiable, cool and fit. In fact, aside from regular visits to the gym and engaging in many other sports activities, Jon has been a boxing enthusiast for almost 10 years now.
“I started boxing sometime between 2004 and 2005, initially as a stress-busting activity. A few friends convinced me to try it out, and I enjoyed it immediately—the routines, the sparring, the exercise part, everything,” he said.
The Filipino-British celebrity added, “Boxing definitely helps with the cardio requirements of my body. I move a lot, sweat a lot and most of my muscles are involved. Boxing also requires great footwork and balance. These disciplines are also needed in my other sports activities, like basketball. When I was training regularly in boxing, I didn’t get tired as easily when I worked or played basketball.”
Jon admits that he does not box as often as he would want to. “I spend more time playing basketball these days. My friends and I go on out-of-town trips to play exhibition matches, and it’s always a lot of fun.”
I’m sure Jon would not mind if people say that his modeling period far outshadows his intermittent show-business engagements. During his prime, Jon was one of the few A-list models of both local and foreign brands. He last made showbiz headlines in 2010, when he became part of the local Celebrity Survivor reality show. He also appeared in some forgettable sexy flicks, like Xerex and Sinful Nights.
Nowadays, he still busies himself with modeling, although he is not closing his doors on acting just yet. “I guess all I need is one good role in one good film that will make people in the industry take notice again.”
BALANCE IS KEY
Jordan Herrera is also a boxing aficionado.
“In between working out, I box two to three times a week when time permits,” he said when we talked to him somewhere near the Elorde boxing gym recently.
Jordan discovered the joys of boxing in 2007, when he was handpicked to be one of the celebrities who competed for the top plum in the ABS-CBN boxing show Pinoy Mano-Mano. Jordan focused and won all his bouts, winning the grand prize and taking home a brand-new car. “It was one of my most memorable showbiz-related achievements. There were not many reality shows at the time, and I was just really bent on doing well in every match,” he said.
Jordan first shot to fame when he did a Lifebuoy TV commercial in 2003, where the main actors were wrapped only in towels. He was then lured into show business and enjoyed his ride, even surprising critics with his natural acting skills in Joel Lamangan’s Bugbog Sarado. Now that he is a family man, Jordan manages his time well. “Balance is very important. I have many roles to play. I’m a family man and a father. I’m an actor. I am also an athlete.”
Boxing helps Jordan in many ways. “It energizes me. It allows me to focus, keep pace, balance and strategize my hits. It also serves as an outlet, a good de-stressing activity.” Not many know that Jordan is a multi-awarded celebrity motocross rider. He travels to cities and towns for motocross events. He just came back from Guam for a similar undertaking a few weeks ago.
Jordan has just started work on a daily drama for ABS-CBN. “I will be busy for the next few months, and I really need to keep fit and focused. Boxing, workout and sports always help me be at my best.”
GREAT EQUALIZER
Rino Marco is a new actor, who also has been hooked in basketball and boxing.
“I used to play for the university varsity team until I had a knee injury, so my dreams of playing in the professional leagues were doomed. I just play for fun these days, and I’m glad that I got introduced to boxing,” he said. He said that everyone in the gym has been talking about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight and he is glad that, even for a few hours, boxing as a sport can unite people. “The bout almost serves as a great equalizer. Young, old, rich, middle class, poor, working class, unemployed—everybody knows about and talks about the fight of the century.”
Rino says that while he waits for good roles and big breaks to come, he will continue to keep fit and focused. “Boxing certainly helps me do that.”