It’s one of the great wonders of Boxing how a guy can go from Journeyman to contender and in some cases even winning a World title. It happened with Glen Johnson he had multiple loses on his ledger, albeit several of them dubious before rose to become champion. It happened to Orlando Salido & Cristobal Cruz to battle tested Mexican warriors with double digit loses. They say you can learn more from a loss than you can a win that’s most definitely the case with Filipino fighter Michael Domingo he’s had plenty of practice going 40-14-2(18). He’s on a nice 9 fight winning streak which includes snapping Miguel Roman’s 21 fight unbeaten run, a stoppage over one time American Olympian Jose Navarro & last time he demolished former title challenger Luis Melendez in two. Domingo turns 31 in late August but believes he’s in his prime and above all wants to land the so far elusive World title fight. The message is clear don’t sleep on Michael Domingo if you do it might just be you who’s left sleeping.
Hello Michael, welcome to 15rounds.com
Hello Anson.
Anson Wainwright – Your scheduled to appear next on 28 August at Waterford Cebu City, any ideas as yet who you will be facing? What can you tell us about the show?
Michael Domingo – My next fight is actually going to be on the 29th of October 2010 at the Dubai Tennis Stadium in Dubai U.A.E. I am scheduled to fight Angky Angkota of Indonesia. It is a presentation of my promotional company ALA Promotions of Antonio L. Aldeguer, Philippine Television Giant ABS-CBN Sports and Dubai based KO Promotions of Zac Taumafai. My fellow ALA Promotions boxers Rey “Boom Boom” Bautista and A.J. Banal is also fighting in the same card.
Anson Wainwright – Last time out you beat Luis Melendez when you impressively stopped him in two. What can you tell us about that fight?
Michael Domingo – The fight was good because I won. I did not get to enjoy it that much though because when I landed a hard punch in the first round I felt he was backing up too much and did not want to engage. After that I just went for the kill.
Anson Wainwright – Could you tell us who is part of team Domingo? Who is your manager, trainer & promoter and what gym do you train at?
Michael Domingo – My manager is Mr. Antonio L. Aldeguer who owns ALA Promotions and the ALA Gym where I train everyday and my trainer is Edito “ALA” Villamor.
Anson Wainwright – What is a typical day in they gym for you?
Michael Domingo – I wake up to jog around 5:30 AM and finish up at 7:00 AM everyday. I eat breakfast thereafter and then I rest. On Mondays-Wednesdays-Fridays I do strength and conditioning training and on Tuesdays-Thursdays-Saturdays in the afternoon I spar.
Anson Wainwright – Could we rewind 20 plus years and tell us about your childhood and what your upbringing was like?
Michael Domingo – 20 years ago I worked with my parents on a farm planting rice. I got bored and decided to start a gang called the Peace Makers who ironically got into fights almost everyday. I always figured in street fights. There was one incident when a rival hit me with a rock in the head and it was really bad. After that I was encouraged by a neighbor to go into boxing and that started that.
Anson Wainwright – Your hometown of Cebu is known as a hotbed of Boxing in The Philippines could you tell us about how this influenced you and your path into Boxing?
Michael Domingo – Yes Cebu is a hotbed of boxing in the country but I actually am from Sultan Kudarat in Mindanao Philippines but I started my career in boxing in Davao City where I boxed for 5 years before moving to Cebu.
Anson Wainwright – What do you like to do away from Boxing? What are your hobbies?
Michael Domingo – I just want to relax and go to the mall. I love watching movies and go Videoke singing with my close friends.
Anson Wainwright – Going back to the start of your career you debuted back in 1999 you streaked to 10-0-1(3) before your first loss, then you then slipped to 11-12-1(5) in your next 24 fights over a 4 year period. What happened to you at that time?
Michael Domingo – I believe I was mismanaged then. I also needed money those times because I was away from home being in Davao. I accepted fights whatever weight class was offered. I lost focus and my drive. It was about survival then.
Anson Wainwright – At that point you looked like you would slip into journeyman status however you reinvented yourself going 18-2(9) putting yourself in line for a world title fight. Even then the two loses were on the road in Japan & France. Can you explain how you managed to go from a journeyman to a possible world title fight?
Michael Domingo – I am just lucky that ALA Promotions and my management team helped guide me to where I am now. I would like to thank most especially Sir Antonio Aldeguer and Sir Michael Aldeguer for guiding not just my career but my life as well.
Anson Wainwright – The Bantamweight class is strong at the moment what are your thoughts on the top fighters at 118? Who are you targeting?
Michael Domingo – The 118 Bantamweight class is one of the most talented and competitive divisions now but I feel I am ready for any one of them. I want Montiel:-). Vic Darchinyan, Perez is on the list too.
Anson Wainwright – Your countryman Manny Pacquiao won the race to congress. What are your feelings on that and what you feel he has done for Filipino Boxing?
Michael Domingo – I am very happy for Congressman Manny Pacquiao. He is one special individual and i know he has a lot to offer in helping his province of Saranggani. Manny Pacquiao has blazed the trail for Filipino boxers to follow and has inspired us boxers to believe nothing is impossible.
Anson Wainwright – Finally do you have a message for the Bantamweight class?
Michael Domingo – To all you Champions of the Bantamweight class, I am just here ready and waiting to fight you. PICK ME!
Thanks for your time Michael, keep up the good work.
Thank you very much Mr. Anson Wainwright.
Anson Wainwright
15rounds.com
