Quezon city: Ronerick “Jackhammer” Ballesteros is eyeing no less than a world title to bring pride and honor to the country. Ballesteros, 21, won the Philippine Youth lightweight belt during the “Thrilla in Manila 2” at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Oct. 29. He beat Cebu’s Speedy Boy Acope by technical knockout in the fifth round. He remained unbeaten in seven fights, six of them by knockout.
According to Philippines News Agency, Ballesteros, who is coached by his father, expressed his desire to make their town and province known internationally. He began training at 12 and achieved a gold medal two years later in the 2018 Batang Pinoy National Championships in Baguio City and Benguet province. “I tried other sports like running, track and field, basketball, among others. Boxing is different. I enjoy it more. I really like it. Boxing gives me joy,” he said in an interview. He was training with the Philippine team when the Covid-19 pandemic erupted in 2020. “There were no competitions during that time. And when the pandemic ended, I opted to become a professional boxer because that is what I really like to do,” he said.
He earned his first win as a professional boxer in 2023 in Bayambang town. Ronorick, Ballesteros’ father, noted his son’s dedication to the sport. “You need to sleep early. You need to wake up early. You need to eat well. You need to practice. You need to do everything,” he said. Ballesteros thanked the local government, national government through the Philippine Sports Commission, and organizers Manny Pacquiao Promotions and International Boxing Association for the event, which marked the 50th year of the Muhammad Ali-Joe Frazier heavyweight bout. “It was an international event. I was so happy because I never thought that I would be able to join Thrilla in Manila. It was such a big event. A lot of fighters wanted to be able to join. I never thought that I would be able to join the event,” he said.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. witnessed the fight between Ali’s grandson, Nico Ali Walsh, and Thai boxer Kittisak Klinsom in a middleweight clash, which ended in a draw. In a Facebook post, Marcos reflected on the country’s historic role in hosting the 1975 bout, calling it ‘a moment that cemented our country’s place in global sports.’ ‘Fifty years ago, the world watched the Philippines host one of the greatest boxing matches in history. The Thrilla in Manila was a moment that cemented our country’s place in global sports,’ he said.
