55TH OPBF ANNUAL CONVENTION IN PALAWAN NOV. 9-12

WBC President Mauricio Sulaiman (right) with GAB Chairman Abraham Mitra (who was appointed as international secretary by WBC) at the WBC 54th Annual Convention in Florida, USA.(Photo by JOSE FLORES)

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — This year’s Oriental and Pacific Boxing Federation (OPBF) Convention will be held on November 9 to 12 in Puerto Princesa City of Palawan.
This was confirmed by Games and Amusements Board (GAB) Chairman Abraham Kahlil “Baham” Mitra, a former elected governor and congressman of Palawan.
“We expect a number of foreign delegates plus expert referees and judges to give seminars to attendees,” said Mitra, who recently attended the 34th International Boxing Federation (IBF) Annual Convention held May 21-25 in St. Petersburg, Florida, USA.
World Boxing Council (WBC) president Mauricio Sulaiman is also again arriving to be the guest of honor. OPBF president Juan Ramon Guanzon is also expected to attend.
“We will welcome them to the no. 1 island and tourist spot in the world,” added Mitra.
The seminars will be held on the first two days while the boxing event is also on Nov. 10. Participants will have a tour in Palawan on Nov. 11 while the closing ceremony is on Nov. 12.
Last year’s OPBF convention, which was the 54th edition, was held in Bacolod City. The OPBF was founded in 1955 and in turn was a co-founder in 1963 of the WBC.
OPBF is one of the 11 continental federations comprising the WBC. The members of the OPBF regional groups are Australia, Fiji, Guam, Hawaii, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, New Zealand, PAMA, Republic of China, Samoa, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga and the Philippines.
Guanzon, the current OPBF president is from the Philippines.