By Edwin Rollon

PHILIPPINE boxing, whether amateur or professional?is now getting the attention that was lacking in the past.

Games and Amusement Board chairman Eric Buhain said sponsors and advertisers?local and international?are now pouring their resources to promote fights involving Filipino fighters even in non-title bouts.

?Filipino fighters are certified crowd-drawers. That?s why sponsors come in because they want to be associated with good athletes and good fights. And this is a positive development for the sport of boxing,? Buhain said.

Buhain admitted that the transition from boxing being a brutal but boring sport to its present status as a revenue-generating profession got its new lease on life following Manny Pacquiao?s climb to stardom.

?It?s obvious, no question about that. Manny [Pacquiao] transformed boxing?s financial aspect to new heights. We have never seen a boxer in years that had a great impact like Pacquaio. Talagang binuhay niya ang industriya,? said Buhain.

The former swimming sensation said that because Pacquiao wears the country?s tricolors proudly whenever and wherever he fights, promoters and advertisers now involve themselves with boxing promotions starring Filipino boxers.

The demand for Filipino fighters in international boxing promotions paved the way for aspiring boxers to demand higher and better fight purse.

For instance, current World Boxing Organization minimumweight champion Donnie ?Ahas? Nietes took home $50,000 in his successful title defense via unanimous decision against Mexican Eric Ramirez recently in Oaxaca, Mexico.